Several months ago, a friend of mine told me about a very
creative way that they deal with some of the telemarketers
who keep bugging them:
They catch the telemarketer off guard, change the
subject, and refuse to talk about the original subject.
They then keep the telmarketer tied to the phone, and
waste the marketer's time, in a "role reversal" that
the caller can't control. She found out that many of the
marketing companies have a policy that says "Stay on the phone
and keep trying to make the sale, until the customer
hangs up,
or you reach five minutes. She considers it a "public service"
to keep the salesman from bothering the next ten people.
Her favorite tactic is to break into the written sales speech
and talk about dental heigene - at length - and in detail - asking
questions too... For instance:
- Hello, I'm from the *&^(*^&#(* company, and would like you to...
- Oh, I'm glad you called, I had just finished brushing my teeth.
Do you remember to brush your teeth after each meal?
- Yes, but do you own your own home?
- I floss every time I get back home from work. What kind of
floss do you use? Straight, Waxed, Minty, floss tape, or
those little disposable floss picks? I like those...
- We're offering a great deal on...
- I'm sure you are sonny, but We're talking about dental heigene here
and you have to admit that's mighty important.
You wouldn't want to get cavities, or worse have a case of
periodontal disease. That involves bacteria below the gumline,
where you can't even see it- and eats at you roots and bone support
where you can't even see it. Tell me, to you brush
at least three minutes, using brisk up and down strokes?
-
Maam, I called to let you know about our...
-
What did you say your name was...?
- Tom Maam, but I wanted...
- Well TOM, I don't want to ignore your health here...
I'm starting to be concerend, you're evading my questions.
WHY--- I bet you didn't even brush yet today.
That's it, you're just too embarrased, and didn't want to
admit it. Well I know that you think people on the other end of
the phone don't care if you have teeth or not, and wouldn't
notice
a little bad breath; but you can't ignore an important issue
like this. It affects your personal image, and health...
plus: Think of your co-workers, stuck there all day...
Halatosis is NOT attractive, that's bad breath you know.
And so it continues, for how ever long she can drag it out.
- ...I think that you boss should at least provide times for
everybody to visit the break room, and at least use listerine,
to prevent germs and decay. Do you think you could organize
a petition amongsh your co-workers?? That woule be a good idea!
- Excuse me, Mrs Thompson, we're going to have to get back to ...
- OH, did you say THOMPSON..??? I'm sorry, but this isn't
the Thompson residence. They used to have this number a few years ago
but I think they moved to Cincinatti. Sorry about the wrong number. *click*
Since some of the marketers can't hang up, until you do-
I actually thought it was a great idea, to keep THEM trapped on
the phone, when they didn't want to hear what you had to say!
(especially, when you have a few minutes to kill)
So, what does anybody else think..?
or what do YOU do to/with salesmen who want to bother you?
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