robinbloke: (Default)
robinbloke ([personal profile] robinbloke) wrote2003-09-11 02:49 pm

Ways to deal with telesales...

Tell them they've already called you today, sound annoyed.
Ask them to explain all about their product, put the phone on the side and walk away.
Say 'we already have one of those' and start complaining about it.
Start trying to sell them something.
Tell them that you're actually a slave and unable to purchase anything without your masters permission.
Explain that you're halfway through a vital voodoo sacrifice, can they call back?
Ask them if they're a scientologist, as you only purchase from authorised Hubbard retailers.
Gasp down the phone and explain how you dreamt about this only last night, go into details.
Muffle the phone, apologise and say it's because it's hard to talk in your gimp outfit.
Ask them if they are 'the one', calling to free them from the matrix.
Congratulate them, and tell them they could be a winner if they just dial this number...
Pretend to be an answering machine, really badly. "No I am an answering machine, please leave a message. Beep."
Apologise and say that your current persona does not take phone calls, can they call back when your alter ego is in?
Buzz your drill near the phone, explain you're testing powertool cartilage damage.
Ask them if it comes in puce/tomato flavour/B flat (whichever is least appropriate).
Tell them that "My granddad had one of those and it caused him a nervous breakdown."
Say that if they wish to talk to you it'll cost them £2.99 a minute, breathe heavily.
Tell them you're about to return to your home planet and can't take the call.
Shout backwards after badly muffling the phone "No it's *company* - shall I ask if they want to sell their soul?"
Ask them to explain, put on a record, start singing along to it.
Start taking their order for pizza.
Ask them if they're product is humane/vegeterian/vegan/free from human contact/produced in a gravity free environment/quark free... (etc)
Ask if they can send you details? Ask for their name. Ask for their mailing address. Give them their mailing list and the callers name as details.
Tell them you have an embalming appointment and can't be late.
Speak perfectly calmly and reasonably, fire a cap gun, scream, drop the phone and speak in a different accent saying "I told you never to answer the phone."

I can't think of any more... suggestions welcome :)

[identity profile] ua-meruti.livejournal.com 2003-09-11 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
*Round of Applause*
I take my hat off to you sir.

[identity profile] nannyo.livejournal.com 2003-09-11 07:29 am (UTC)(link)
When they ask for you by slightly mispronouncing your name, or getting the relationships of your housemate wrong (oh, so is this MRS H.?) develop a slight hiccuping sob and say: sorry--- she/he---died---last night. Cry loudly into the phone. As my parents don't have the same last names this caused my brother and I great entertainment from about the age of 6, if somebody asked for Mr or Mrs of the wrong name we knew it was a salesperson.

Alternately, ask which *service* they require, give them a list of 3 totally different random ones; and then press a button to give an electronic tone.

Say: excuse me while I put you on hold. then play the recorder badly right next to the phone.

Ask them about the moral superiority of their product, or whether they are married to christ(or chtulu, whichever entertains more)

[identity profile] robinbloke.livejournal.com 2003-09-11 07:31 am (UTC)(link)
Say: excuse me while I put you on hold. then play the recorder badly right next to the phone.

Genius!!! :D

[identity profile] velvetfox.livejournal.com 2003-09-11 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
I've actually done that 'order pizza' one.

Ones I've used recently on big issue sellers:

"no, sorry, I'm insane"
and
"Sorry I can't understand English" (in perfect accent)

*giggles*

[identity profile] karohemd.livejournal.com 2003-09-11 09:59 am (UTC)(link)
I just imagined [livejournal.com profile] faerierhona being on the other end of the line for some of those...

[identity profile] ursine.livejournal.com 2003-09-11 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I prefer the phone sex method for whatever they're selling. Some how tie it into phone sex, and then act all hot and bothered.

This makes them shut up. And it's fun. Hee.

My Favorite

[identity profile] k-lioness.livejournal.com 2003-09-11 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
My personal favorite... tell them that they'll have to talk to the "lord" of the house... or the person who makes all the decisions... the person who's in charge around here. Then put a small child (between the ages of 1 and 5 years old) on the phone. He DOES make all the decisions around here anyway...