Anyone have any idea why a marketing research company is harassing us?

[Miss Inga Depointe]

They call every day. The first couple of times we told them no we didn't have time to answer their questions, heading out the door and not thinking very much of it. But on the 4th or 5th attempt when my husband told them to stop calling, they actually said, sorry, we're going to keep calling til you answer the questions!!!!!

So now, of course, we're ticked off. They call literally every day and I hang up on them literally ever day. Why are they bothering? Do they not realize that I will never tire of hanging up on them????

I called the phone company, the FCC, and some other government agency the phone company told me to call, and they say there is nothing we can do since they are nonprofit (we're on the do not call list but non profits aren't affected by this.)

Is this the weirdest thing you've ever heard of or has this happened to anyone else? If someone could explain this to me, I would be grateful.

 

[Planogirl]

You know, this is the second time I've heard of someone being harassed by a nonprofit in as many days. I wonder why they think that constantly bugging you will work? I wouldn't answer their questions either.

 

[Poohnatic]

I never had that happen. Perhaps, if you ask to speak to a supervisor you can get this straightened out and have them stop calling.

If not, and they continue to call, I'd give them bogus answers to every question. But I'm a nut that way.

Suzanne

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I never had that happen. Perhaps, if you ask to speak to a supervisor you can get this straightened out and have them stop calling.

If not, and they continue to call, I'd give them bogus answers to every question. But I'm a nut that way.

Suzanne

LOL we thought about that!!!! Believe me, we thought up some pretty funny things to say to them one night over a bottle of wine.

I asked to speak to a supervisor, oh, I guess it was 3 weeks ago. They said no. Now, I'm just hanging up. Sometimes I laugh maniacally first, others, I just hang up.

 

[luvpooh]

you need to specifically ask them to remove you from their calling list permanently and for any and all campaigns; ask for a supervisor
if this fails, or if you have already done so, ask for a phone number, address or website for their company; at least get the name and where they're calling from; they have to disclose that they're a paid caller of "XYZ" Company, then ask for contact info for the company/organization on whose behalf they are calling
if this doesn't dissuade them/fix the problem, call your Attorney General's office and lodge a complaint.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

you need to specifically ask them to remove you from their calling list permanently and for any and all campaigns; ask for a supervisor
if this fails, or if you have already done so, ask for a phone number, address or website for their company; at least get the name and where they're calling from; they have to disclose that they're a paid caller of "XYZ" Company, then ask for contact info for the company/organization on whose behalf they are calling
if this doesn't dissuade them/fix the problem, call your Attorney General's office and lodge a complaint.

Did all those things. Nothing works. I've lodged complaints everywhere, everyone says since they are nonprofit, nothing can be done. I have their phone number and address. I sent a certified letter demanding that they stop (the FCC suggested I try this) and that's been 2 weeks ago...

 

[In a hurry]

If it is a non-profit, get the name, and call them directly. It is probably a group hired by them, and they may not have a clue tothe tactics being used! We had issues with a group hired by the FOP to raise money for the yearly picnic for kids.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

If it is a non-profit, get the name, and call them directly. It is probably a group hired by them, and they may not have a clue tothe tactics being used! We had issues with a group hired by the FOP to raise money for the yearly picnic for kids.

Did that. They said, very sweetly, that they are sorry that we are not happy, but they are going to continue to call.

I told you this was weird!!!!

 

[In a hurry]

That is incredibly screwed up!!! I would also be livid!!!

 

[luvpooh]

did you call who is calling you, or who they're calling on behalf of? if you call the organization directly, they shouldn't be telling you they're still going to call you
do you have caller ID?

 

[In a hurry]

So, have you considered plastering their telephone on bathroom walls across the city?

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

did you call who is calling you, or who they're calling on behalf of? if you call the organization directly, they shouldn't be telling you they're still going to call you
do you have caller ID?

Yeah, I have their name and all the info. I have caller ID. I see them and pick up the phone and I hang up, because I want to try to make a point. (It's not that I'm not home, I'm just not talking to you.)

Lots of times I'm really not home and I just see that they've called.

 

[Barb D]

The organization themselves said they would keep calling? That's insane! You'd think they would not want to alienate people!

What organization is it, anyway?

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

The organization themselves said they would keep calling? That's insane! You'd think they would not want to alienate people!

What organization is it, anyway?

It's a marketing research company and I know it's crazy, but I'm hesitating to say it's name. I mean, last thing I want to do is get myself in trouble over this. I'm not sure how that would happen, but sometimes I don't think things through....

It doesn't matter, I'll win the battle with this evil entity!!!

I'm just trying to understand why they think it's a good use of their time!

 

[hentob]

Subscribing to see what crazy organization uses such awful tactics....

 

[hentob]

It's a marketing research company and I know it's crazy, but I'm hesitating to say it's name. I mean, last thing I want to do is get myself in trouble over this.

They are HARASSING YOU and you are scared that you will get in trouble

Nah--Come on, spill the beans

 

[Shugardrawers]

That is actually not unheard of. Before I got too sick to work I was cleaning houses for a living. I used my cell phone as my business number and it was listed in the phone book. Because the do not call list applies only to private home numbers, not businesses, no matter how much I complain, cajole, yell and threaten, I get a call almost daily from someone wanting to set me up to take visa/mastercard. Even better, the phone book they must be working from is at least 2 years old! They have ever so politely informed me that I have no right to privacy in this case since the cell was a published business number and that they have no intention of removing me from their list.

I get frequent calls on our home phone which is listed on the do not call list from "charitable" organizations. I think they are starting to say that to get around the regulations. Also, be aware that if you do something, say, attend a home show, and you fill out a slip of paper with your info for a "contest" that is considered giving your consent for that business to add you to their telemarketing list. You'll be stuck there for up to 18 months after you filled out the info. Since the telemarketing is usually farmed out to another business, the original one will never know that you refuse to do business with them because of this practice.

Now doesn't that start your day off beautifully? Can you tell I've already gotten a visa/mastercard telemarketing call today and it's not even 8am??

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Honestly I've never heard of them and I doubt you would have either. Call me paranoid...

I've told my friends but I just hestitate to put it in print.

 

[disneyaggie]

Whenever they call you and you remind them that you don't want them to call, and they say they need some answers, say, "Well here's my answer" and blow the heck out of a whistle or use an air horn right into the receiver. Should work like a charm.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Whenever they call you and you remind them that you don't want them to call, and they say they need some answers, say, "Well here's my answer" and blow the heck out of a whistle or use an air horn right into the receiver. Should work like a charm.

I think I'll do that today! I don't have an airhorn or a whistle, but I bet I can find something loud around here.

I think this whole thing has made me a little paranoid, and even spooked. I mean, why us? Why are our responses so important to them? Maybe I'm starting to read something sinister into it that just isnt' there.