new way to get rid of callers

[LCHIEN]

Lately I've been getting a lot of callers wanting to do surveys, usually right when I'm trying to eat dinner.

Today I thought I'd use a new tactic - basically being dumber than a 5-year old and it worked really well.

Caller: We're [some high falutin' name] and doing a survey on electricity advertising

Me: I don't use electricity.

Caller: {laughing} - Sure you do!

Me: What's electricity?

*Click*

[cabinetman]

I'll try that one.

.

[cabinetman]

My wife just hangs up.

.

[cabinetman]

My wife sometimes asks for their number telling them she'll call back after dinner. Their number doesn't always show up on caller ID.

.

[herb fellows]

I have a friend who does something similar if the call is after 6 pm or so.
He acts as if he is sympathetic that they are still working so late, and asks when they have a chance to get to dinner.
When they say 'oh, in a couple of hours', he asks for their phone number so he can call them while they are having dinner.

[sonofbuster]

i know this is mean (i swear i don't do it very often!) but i ask them to explain in detail what they're offering then i just put the phone down and walk away. takes a few minutes usually.

[Brian G]

Maybe I'm getting soft, but I don't feel the need to be rude or snarky. I just say, "I appreciate that you want my opinion, but I don't feel like giving it. Thank you for calling, good bye." I give one chance for the caller to say good bye before I re-assert. I only hang up if they don't politely disengage.

[BobSch]

I'll pick up the phone and not say anything. Most auto-diallers wait for a response before transferring to a live operator. If I don't say anything, the call will drop in about five seconds.

[JimD]

The calls are annoying but I try to remember the caller probably doesn't want to do this either but can't find a better job. If I'm really bored I talk to them but usually I just hang up. I think that is what I would want if I was in their position - preferably a call that meets the requirements of my employer but if that is not to happen, just a hang up.

[toolguy1000]

i usually ask the opinion seeking calls how much they are offering in compensation for my opinion. after all, they're either getting paid by someone for the information or gathering it on speculation in the hope of selling the results to someone.

[Bruce Cohen]

I tell all salespeople that I'd love to buy whatever they're selling, except that I'm on welfare. Not only do they stop calling, but they take your name off their list. So when they sell it to another company, you're no longer on that list. No money, no sales and therefor you are no longer important.

Bruce

[leehljp]

What ever happened to the "Do not Call" registry? Doesn't that stop them?

[Bruce Cohen]

What ever happened to the "Do not Call" registry? Doesn't that stop them?

Yeah,
About as well as we were able to stop the water from "Sandy."

that trick never works.

Bruce