Telemarketer just called--Wanted to speak with one of my children!

[hentob]

Phone just rang. Telemarketer. Actually, it was a "research firm" with questions about children's food preferences, eating habits, parent's choices of food for their children, etc. After they assured me that they didn't want me to buy anything, just asked questions, I was fair game. Bored, cutting broccoli, kids out back playing, I thought "why not".

She asked the ages of my children(6,6,8).

Then she informed me that she would ask me several questions and then I was to put one of my CHILDREN on the phone b/c she wanted to ask them questions too. Hmmmm...Put my children on the phone with a stranger to interview them? Too weird.


I politely said "No Thank You" and ended the call.


Has anyone else ever received a telemarketing phone call that asked to speak with minor children living in the house?

 

[L107ANGEL]

You missed a golden opportunity!!! I would have said "I always forget the youngen Chet, hes 2, here talk to him now" Get back on the phone and talk gibberish. throw in some key words like, irrational, delightfull, apprehensive, etc. I have a pathetic sense of humor.

 

[hentob]

You missed a golden opportunity!!! I would have said "I always forget the youngen Chet, hes 2, here talk to him now" Get back on the phone and talk gibberish. throw in some key words like, irrational, delightfull, apprehensive, etc. I have a pathetic sense of humor.

You know, I am not above doing something like that

I was just so stunned that she asked to speak to a child, I didn't even have enough time to recover and mess with her.

If it happens again, I will be more prepared and follow your plan

 

[The Mystery Machine]

A coworker of my dh's would tell his children Santa Claus is on the phone and wants to know what you want for Christmas! Then he would give the phone to his kids.

 

[Brutie]

I've never heard of a research firm calling to speak with children, thats just odd to me. I can see them asking you the parent about their eating habits but not asking to speak with kids. I'd of been leary of the whole situation, just smells fishy to me. I just dont think people call legitimately to speak with your childrne. Did their number show up on your caller id, so that you can call them and see who answers? I would just for sh$%$ and giggles.

We havent had telemarketer calls in years. I use to have so much fun messing with those people. I'd tell them that "my lawyer handles all of my telemarketer calls and I'm happy to give you her number". I never got the ol' "we'll talk you off our list and no thanx" faster in my life...LOL

 

[L107ANGEL]

A coworker of my dh's would tell his children Santa Claus is on the phone and wants to know what you want for Christmas! Then he would give the phone to his kids.

I love it!!! Followed with "Now kids when Santa is done he will connect you to the Easter Bunny as well, Just ask for his supervisor"

 

[hentob]

Did their number show up on your caller id, so that you can call them and see who answers?

Yes--It was from Ontario--I live in PA

I got that "this isn't right" gut feeling when she asked.

Edited to add--

I just called the phone number and got a voice mail saying "Hello--This is Training Team @ ****. Please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we can".

So, I do believe it was a telemarketing firm. Just one with odd tactics.

 

[Southern4sure]

I had this happen a few months ago. Some kind of research for cereal. I told her my kids have no say so in the kind/brand I buy so talking to them would be a waste of her and my time. I didnt lie, my kids eat anything and everything I buy.

I couldnt believe they have stooped to asking for kids.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

When ever we get a telemarketing call I just pretend that I am one of the kids! I guess my voice sounds young on the phone so I just play along.

"May I speak to the lady of the house?"
"no"
"Can I talk to your mommy?"
"no"
"when is a better time to call?"
"I don't know"
"is there an adult home?"
"I don't know"
they usually just hang up after awhile

 

[Mandy_in_NC]

I had a tekemarketer call several times in one day asking for the man of the house and I repeatedly told them my hubby was not home but he continued to call back so I finally decided that I was going to have some fun with them . I told them that there was no man of the house that my husband had left me for my mother. That he had gotten me knocked up had an affair with my mother got her knocked up too and left me for her. I also told the man that we were all leaving the next morning to be on the Jerry Springer show so he needed to be sure and watch for us. Needless to say he hung up on me and never called back. Gotta love the fun you can have with telemarketers!

 

[figment52]

We havent had telemarketer calls in years. I use to have so much fun messing with those people. I'd tell them that "my lawyer handles all of my telemarketer calls and I'm happy to give you her number". I never got the ol' "we'll talk you off our list and no thanx" faster in my life...LOL

I think that is the best answer I've heard yet.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

When I was about 6 or 7, I answered the phone. It was a telemarketer (supposedly). He said he had to ask me questions. When I asked him if he wanted to talk to my mother or one of my older sisters (they were teenagers at the time), he said no. Then he asked me all sorts of sexual questions. When I got off the phone, I ran to my room crying. My oldest sister and my mother asked me what was going on. I lied to them and told them it was a survey about vegetables (the first thing that popped into my young mind). This is the first time I ever mentioned that. It really stayed with me all my life and I'm still really bothered by it. Good for you for not putting your children on the phone. My daughter is 5 and I refuse to let her answer the phone if I don't know who's calling.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I just got a telemarketer last week that called and wanted to test our water.
He says "I called last week, and someon told me that you were interested and to recall you back today" yeah right.

My response was "Well IF you called me last week, I'm sure I was rude to you then too, Now take my number out of your system and don't call me again"
BAM! I hung up the phone....

Another one I used to use was "Gosh, I would LOVE to talk to you right now but I'm really busy. Tell ya what, you give me YOUR number and I will call YOU back. What time do you eat dinner again?"

 

[Samandmom]

Too funny!

My DH will come out and ask them if they want to buy our car or our house. He gets all into and describes the car or house. They usually hang up. Sometimes they will prounce your name WAY off!! So I come out and say this can't be too important if you can't even pronounce my name correctly.
I had to YELL at a Telemarketer once. They called and said they were from some carpet cleaning company. I said Wow that's pretty good your going to come out and clean the wrongs I DON'T have and I hung up. She calls right back. (the nerve of her ) and says oh mam we can clean hardwood floors also. I went off I said I can NOT believe you called me back!!!

 

[Stitchfans]

What is even funnier is when Disney sent an application for a charge card to DD who at the time was 10. When I said I would be interested I was told oh no it is for Allison not you.

 

[Steffi]

When I was about 6 or 7, I answered the phone. It was a telemarketer (supposedly). He said he had to ask me questions. When I asked him if he wanted to talk to my mother or one of my older sisters (they were teenagers at the time), he said no. Then he asked me all sorts of sexual questions. When I got off the phone, I ran to my room crying. My oldest sister and my mother asked me what was going on. I lied to them and told them it was a survey about vegetables (the first thing that popped into my young mind). This is the first time I ever mentioned that. It really stayed with me all my life and I'm still really bothered by it. Good for you for not putting your children on the phone. My daughter is 5 and I refuse to let her answer the phone if I don't know who's calling.

This gave me the chills, what a terrible thing to happen to a little girl! It's so sad that you kept that bottled up all these years.

And OP, I wouldn't have let a stranger talk to my kids, either!

 

[Good Ol Gal]

What is even funnier is when Disney sent an application for a charge card to DD who at the time was 10. When I said I would be interested I was told oh no it is for Allison not you.

I got this too... well I should say my less than 1yo got it!!!

I called the number and did just like you... my 9 month old is not interested in the card, but I would love one. She said sorry it is only offered to him

This was almost 5 years ago and I've been waiting to get another invite for him and I'm going to let him get it (and put me down as an additional card holder) He is 5 now and very responsible with his pennies

 

[Puffy2]

Yall, be careful about telling complete strangers anything about yourself or your children. Sometimes these calls AREN'T from telemarketers.

Our rule is NO SURVEYS over the phone. period, and we hand up.

 

[S. C.]

Yall, be careful about telling complete strangers anything about yourself or your children. Sometimes these calls AREN'T from telemarketers.

Our rule is NO SURVEYS over the phone. period, and we hand up.

I aree 100%. I always say no...no children live here.

 

[Missy1961]

Telemarketers--best reason for Caller ID I know!