Answer to cold callers?

[SIMBAD]

I usually just say, do u know the sound of a reversing truck? Then hang up...

[nuthin' fancy]

I pay my money to have a communication device for my convenience. If you use it and inconvenience me, brace yourself. Whistles, swearing, racial taunts, time wasting, abuse. If you don't want it, don't call.

[Linkachu]

I once had a "charity" call me asking if i would buy a teddy bear, at the time i was lucky to have $4 in my account before pay day. Told her this and she got angry that i wouldnt donate to them.


Ive disconected my home phone as we were getting 5+ calls a day all the same thing. No one contacts us on the home phone so we dont answer.

[brydie76]

If it is a charity, I politely decline, mention I donate to charity only through face to face contact/work, and hang up. Telemarketers get a no thanks, I don't make those decisions, but I do know the person who does is not interested either. Haven't gotten any scammers yet, but I would just mention I do not own a PC, I am aware of the scam and if they called this number again I would record the conversation and forward it onto the authorities.

The ones that really get me are Optus (customer sureys- seriously, don't call me while I'm at work, or even better, AT ALL!!!!) Aus Life Savers (sorry, but giving money to them once should not be a licence for them to call me endlessly- I just ignore these calls now) and spam faxes on my work number (which are forwarded to my email, so essentially become spam email. They are unstoppable- calling the companies being promoted and threaten to take action against them personally is my only option left!!!!)

[ebxr8240]

These are often agents taking 60%+ for collecting money..
I use to donate to kidney, bush fire, heart foundation.. No more they
keep begging for money..
Now I donate to Father O'riley, "Youth off the streets" and salvation Army..

[BA-XT]

We were getting 4+ each night when we moved into our house. Went on the do not call registry and haven't had many in over a year.

[Reaper8]

i just give the phone to one of my kids(5 & 3) they like to talk to anyone on the phone.

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by Mr_BA2003

We were getting 4+ each night when we moved into our house. Went on the do not call registry and haven't had many in over a year.

we are on that as well......unfortunately this system does not apply to overseas callers

guess where the ........"good afternoon sir, my name is Michael do you realise your computer is sending out error report messages" .....comes from

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by Reaper8

i just give the phone to one of my kids(5 & 3) they like to talk to anyone on the phone.

We do this as well. They haven't made it all the way through baa baa black sheep yet.

[pauljh74]

Originally Posted by Riksta

One of my mates used to act like he was mentally retarded and really slow.

Apparently in the culture where the call centres are based (you know what I mean) - they believe that just by talking to someone with issues like that over the phone they can catch it themself?

They used to hang up pretty quick after getting frustrated with him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gj8b...6C84A23F60E2DB
Sounding like this guy?

[calais]

I get right annoyed at cold calling. I have registered for the 'Do Not Call' register, and sadly it just doesn't go far enough. Charities and Government sanctioned organisations are exempt!

After I have worked all night, getting worken at 11am by an unsolicited and unwelcome phone call leaves me unable to maintain my manners.

I usually start with the words "Speak" and when they announce their charitable cause or departmental name, I typically launch into a rant which includes the phrase ' This will be the first and last time you organisation ever dials my number'.

Slowly but surely the number of calls has declined but every now and again there is a spike, which results in me disconnecting my phone lines until I actually want to use it. I shouldn't have to go to these lengths but really, I value my own time and space and dont see the need to share it with cold callers.

(I should point out I also have a small sign near my front gate which says "No hawkers, religious venturers, traders or philistines") It has worked a treat, not a single unsolicited visitor in over three years. WIN.

[castellan]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

If he thinks the are Indian he makes comments about home kill [cows] etc...

As soon as i hear their Indian i just hang up.

[nuthin' fancy]

Private number works for me. We get very few calls.

[chevypower]

I don't get angry, I just decline. They are just trying to make a living and that money usually helps the economy. Remember an accent could be a local resident with an accent. So I am okay with a few annoying calls every once in a while to support the economy.

[pcw]

I always enjoy speaking with the push starts........

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Remember an accent could be a local resident with an accent

they may not be local, but they still have to eat and in some countries this is their only means to gain money

that said, i am on the do not call register, because it is so annoying to receive calls from them. i always "try" to be polite though

[blueoval]

Agree, there is always a difference between being rude and being polite about it. Sure it's dam annoying to receive a call about a survey or asking if you are happy with your telco provider right in the middle of dinner time, but they are just doing their job at the end of the day. It's not hard to say 'no thanks' and then hang up the phone, which is what I do. End of discussion.

[ute83]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

they may not be local, but they still have to eat and in some countries this is their only means to gain money

that said, i am on the do not call register, because it is so annoying to receive calls from them. i always "try" to be polite though

But surely they can find some of their own population to call. There are over a billion of them.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by ute83

But surely they can find some of their own population to call. There are over a billion of them.

They arent as well off as us Australians, and they work for a lot less than us ozzys do too.

[my_gxl]

Originally Posted by calais

(I should point out I also have a small sign near my front gate which says "No hawkers, religious venturers, traders or philistines") It has worked a treat, not a single unsolicited visitor in over three years. WIN.

Locked gates and a big black hairy dog stops them too.

[Murph-51]

If Im at home and my 6 year old daughter is there I wait for them to ask to speak to the house owner, then I put her on.............. she loves to have a chat

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by calais

I get right annoyed at cold calling. I have registered for the 'Do Not Call' register, and sadly it just doesn't go far enough. Charities and Government sanctioned organisations are exempt!

After I have worked all night, getting worken at 11am by an unsolicited and unwelcome phone call leaves me unable to maintain my manners.

I usually start with the words "Speak" and when they announce their charitable cause or departmental name, I typically launch into a rant which includes the phrase ' This will be the first and last time you organisation ever dials my number'.

Slowly but surely the number of calls has declined but every now and again there is a spike, which results in me disconnecting my phone lines until I actually want to use it. I shouldn't have to go to these lengths but really, I value my own time and space and dont see the need to share it with cold callers.

(I should point out I also have a small sign near my front gate which says "No hawkers, religious venturers, traders or philistines") It has worked a treat, not a single unsolicited visitor in over three years. WIN.

Just do what I do and have calls go straight to the answering machine. If someone wants to speak to you then they'll leave a message. Not a single charity or government survey calls since. Helps when we are at home with our 3 week old son and we don't get any calls.