Irritating repeat calls from internet directories

[Doug in NC]

I have had some internet ad company calling repeatedly about "updating my listing". I tell them I don't have a listing that I'm aware of. What I'm afraid of is that it is one of these companies that will bill you if you don't tell them to cancel. Caller ID says "out of area" when these bottom dwellers call, despite my repeated hanging up on them and telling them to stop calling, and/or take me off their call list (which at least one caller has said that they don't have a call list- probably learned that in telescammer school too). I think if you agree to "update" the listing, they use that as a trick to try to extract fees out of you. Amazing how many people in this world are willing to take peoples' money through ill-gotten gain.

 

[Wolverinefan]

These companies figure they better cash in before Jan 1st. At that time they will all be worthless....

 

[JRS at OBX]

If I'm slow I'll screw with them a little. I'll ask for the webpage that has me listed. Then I'll ask why they asked me to update my listing when I don't have a listing. Then I'll ask them why I should do business with somebody that is dishonest. They usually hang up on me before I hang up on them. I've had some of them on the phone for 15 minutes arguing about it. Telemarketers can be fun when you are bored.

:laugh:

 

[Hamlet]

I've had some of them on the phone for 15 minutes arguing about it. Telemarketers can be fun when you are bored.

:laugh:

That has to give a lot of satisfaction knowing you are messing with their quota. Keep em on the phone so they can't make that next call!

 

[Claude From NY]

Telemarketers can be fun when you are bored.
:laugh:

You got that right. I used to get pestered by Verizon telemarketers. Now I look forward to their calls, especially when they are calling from India. Every time they call I answer as a different character. They always ask if I want to save money on my phone bill and when I say NO they start short cuirciting...lots-a-fun.

 

[Doug in NC]

That has to give a lot of satisfaction knowing you are messing with their quota. Keep em on the phone so they can't make that next call!

There is truth to that. One guy seemed to be losing his cool because I wouldn't agree to the update within the first 30 seconds. Must have been losing his production time.

 

[timd354]

I am thinking about getting an air horn to keep on my desk to use when I receive such calls. A quick blast right into the phone and they will realize that I am not interested in their scam.

 

[RSW]

It is really funny when you can tell they are reading from a script. I like to ask a question right in the middle of the script. It really messes them up. They try really hard to get back on the script. I ask another question...

 

[Joe Milla]

After numerous calls from a siding company and telling them I lived in a Condo complex, I gave up and told them to send a contractor out. Almost turned into fistacuffs with the contractor screaming "You Live in a Condo". Yup, now tell your company to stop calling.

 

[Caterina Platt]

The Yellow Pages Directory crap isn't necessarily one single company calling. There seem to be many, many that are trying this scam. I've tried keeping track and numbers will be from all over the country, or often 'private' or 'out of area'.

Speaking of scam artists, there's a company called Associated Supply. They have offices all over the west, and push ink, toner, etc. via telemarketing. They are just one rung above the Yellow Pages people, but don't ever buy anything from them. I tried one box of toner like 5 years ago. The product was so so, the salesman was overly pushy, and I found a better deal elsewhere shortly afterward. They have continued to call for 5 years. One office claims to not know anything about the others or their 'do not call lists', one pushy young man actually got a hold of our cell phone number and began calling us when we're out in the field. I told him I'm the one who orders the office supplies, and I don't want to speak with him. "Well I'll keep calling until I get a hold of the other guy then because I spoke with him earlier and he said it was OK to call.' Really? Actually, what 'the other guy' (hubby) said was that he didn't have time to talk with you now, and you pulled the cell phone number off the answering machine and took some liberties, now didn't you? I got this guy's supervisor and supposedly they put me on the 'do not call' list. They called back about 6 weeks later.

BBB complaints, letters to the so called VP of the company, nothing makes the calls go completely away.

Just don't ever.........