Scale of 1 - 10... how much do telelmarketers upset you?

[Papa Deuce]

I have to say that for me, it ranks up at about an 8 out of 10, since I am on the DNC list. Especially now that so many of them spoof the phone numbers.

 

[wvjules]

They don't bother me at all. If I dont know the number I don't answer the phone. If it is someone that I know or that needs me they will call my cell phone if I don't answer the house phone.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

They don't bother me at all. If I dont know the number I don't answer the phone. If it is someone that I know or that needs me they will call my cell phone if I don't answer the house phone.

Same here...

 

[pogo791]

An "8" here.

I try to keep the conversation short and clear: whatever you're selling, I'm not interested. Thank you and good bye.

Most marketers leave it at that, but some keep trying.

What particularly bugs me are the marketers who call me on my mobile, often when I'm in the middle of a meeting or otherwise in a rush. And even worse are those who call me on my mobile when I am travelling - and I am often several time zones away. One of them succeeded in scaring the (bleep) out of me when he got me out of a sound sleep at 3 am.

 

[FireDancer]

I hate them with a passion but haven't heard from one in years. No one calls my home phone number, I have never even given it to a single human being. I have a Google Voice number that rings my cell and home phone. If my home phone is ringing and my cell phone isn't I know it is a direct call to the number and just let it ring.

 

[SydneyFalco]

Thanks to call display, I haven't actually had to deal with a marketer in three years (just like, thanks to my PVR I don't have to watch commercials anymore). But I still rank the annoyance a two or a three, cause the phone rings at least once a night .

But I don't think we get quite as many TM calls in Canada.

 

[TheGoofster]

It's funny. When we're in the states it's pretty bad when you get a telemarketer. But when we get one here in Mexico it's so much worse.
When you are speaking in a language that's not your native language, it's a lot easier when you are talking to someone face to face. When someone calls on the phone, it's usually quite a bit more difficult to understand them because many of the visual helps aren't there. If it's someone you know they usually talk at a rate that they know you will understand because they know you, plus you pretty much know what the conversation is about. However, whenever a telemarketer calls, they talk about as fast as they can to try and get in their whole spiel, and that is when it gets really interesting. I've had quite a few times when I've had no earthly idea what the person on the other end of the phone was talking about. They talk so fast, and usually about something that you aren't expecting (like a home loan). They also don't want you to interrupt them so they just don't stop talking (I don't think they even stop to take a breath). Plus, they don't take "no" for an answer (seriously). Often times my only escape (besides just hanging up) is to use the old "sorry I don't speak Spanish all that well" (and in these cases it's really the truth) and say it enough times until they finally give up.
So to answer your question. In the states I would give your poll a "7". Here in Mexico I'll go with "10" only because there's nothing higher.

 

[sbell111]

I don't think that we've had a telemarketer call in a good ten years, so I'll vote 'doesn't bother me'.

 

[Plumeria]

A "10" for me. Telemarketers get me infuriated like nothing else. I have to deal with it a lot at work. I don't understand why they continue to call after you have gotten nasty with them and told them never to call again. Do they think they are still gonna make a sale?

In my opinion, you have to be a pretty scummy person to be a telemarketer.

 

[Papa Deuce]

They don't bother me at all. If I dont know the number I don't answer the phone. If it is someone that I know or that needs me they will call my cell phone if I don't answer the house phone.

Well, you either still have to get up and check, or at the very least you hear the phone ring - which to me, is something I don't enjoy, even if I don't plan to answer.

 

[Plumeria]

Well, you either still have to get up and check, or at the very least you hear the phone wring - which to me, is something I don't enjoy, even if I don't plan to answer.

Exactly. And they love to call at dinner time. Plus, I hate the busy tone/dead air voicemails they leave. So annoying!

 

[Micca]

It's not big deal to me. We have so few such calls, and I always look at caller i.d. before I answer. Deuce you need a cordless phone--keep it with you and there's no "getting up" to answer

 

[Jennasis]

No biggie. These are just people trying to make a living, and I appreciate that. When I'[m not pressed for time or in a bad mood, I let them give their spiel then I tell them I'm not interested but to have a lovely day (or evening). The ones who are rude or pushy get the hang up. Nobody is under an obligation to LISTEN to them speak.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No big deal, however my DH and dd think it is funny to answer them & waste their time.

 

[Papa Deuce]

It's not big deal to me. We have so few such calls, and I always look at caller i.d. before I answer. Deuce you need a cordless phone--keep it with you and there's no "getting up" to answer

Well, we have 3 handsets, and can hardly ever find one unless it is ringing. If it weren't for the handset locator feature I would never know where one is... of wait, yes, I would... my wife and kids CONSTANTLY bring them all upstairs and then don't bring them back down.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

If the caller ID doesn't show a number, or it says "Private", I click to answer, then immediately click to hang up. If I am uncertain and answer only to find a telemarketer, I immediately cut them off and say, "I'm not interested please take my number off your list bye." Click. (punctuation left out intentionally because that is how fast I say it.)

I don't like to be rude, but I think cold calls are rude, so we're even..

 

[liamsaunt]

My answering machine announces the name of the caller as the phone rings. If it is an 800 number, or anything I don't recognize, I just don't answer the phone. 95% of the time the telemarketer will just hang up when they get the machine.

 

[Micca]

Well, we have 3 handsets, and can hardly ever find one unless it is ringing. If it weren't for the handset locator feature I would never know where one is... of wait, yes, I would... my wife and kids CONSTANTLY bring them all upstairs and then don't bring them back down.

Deuce--let the kids take the telemarketers calls. Preferrably the youngest one

 

[kacaju]

I jsut got a call a few minutes ago. It wa san automated call saying to press 1 if I want help lowering my interest rates on my cc. I have gotten these calls before so I know pressing the button for not interested doesn't work. I pressed one and the lady gets on and says
You pressed 1 wanting to know how to lower your interest rate?
I said
No, I pressed 1 to ask you to put me on your do not call list and SHE HUNG UP ON ME!!

the nerve!! LOL!!

I do answer my home phone, dh and I are in charge of registrations for a few volunteer oranganizations. I do not give out my cell number and people call us from work or they may have out of the area cell numbers. Not answering the phone in our house in not an option if I don't know the number!!
I would much rather answer the phone and deal with it then have to always call people back!!

 

[princesspiglet]

I depise TM. I usually have fun with them though and laugh at their expense. I have two "characters" that I play when they call. First one is an angry old lady who yells, "WHO IS THIS?, WHAT?? I CAN"T HEAR YOU? IS THIS MY NASTY GRANDSON?- I'M CALLING THE COPS ON YOU BOY" over and over again until they eventually give up.

Second character is a very nice and very chatty old lady. Once they say their spiel, I usually mention that I just visited the doc to have a bunion/hemorroid, varicose vein removed and I procceed to tell them about my various ailments and how much money it costs me, etc. They usually hang up on me in no time flat!

Who knew my degree in Theatre would come in so handy!