Telemarketing and Telemarketers

[Neo-Logic]

Got a couple of questions and would really appreciate it if you guys answered it with absolutely honesty.

1. What is your typical response towards a telemarketing call?

2. How do you percieve someone that is calling you trying to get you to esentially buy or do something? (Whether or not you think they're trying to fraud you, and if so, why and or how you get that impression)

I ask because the input might be of use in my line of work. Thanks.

 

[KirbyFan101]

Got a couple of questions and would really appreciate it if you guys answered it with absolutely honesty.

1. What is your typical response towards a telemarketing call?

Me:How did you get this number?

TM: *insert inane excuse here*

Me: Can I speak to your boss?

TM: Yes/No, Goodbye

Boss: Hello

Me: I never want your company, or anyone affiliated with your company to call me again. Okay?

Boss: *inane response here*

Two days later they call me again. :banghead3

2. How do you percieve someone that is calling you trying to get you to esentially buy or do something? (Whether or not you think they're trying to fraud you, and if so, why and or how you get that impression)

I understand they are just doing their job, and for the first 10 seconds I am usually very nice. However, I get 4 phonecalls a day from telemarketers. I have had enough. If you are in this line of work and someone says they aren't interested: don't push it, just give up. For gods sake, dont tick people off.

Oh, and dont come up with an excuse like "A randomly generated number" when you just said my name without me telling you. An obvious lie.

 

[Draka]

I don't know how much help I would be on this...as I am always nice to telemarketers and teleservice representatives as I use to be one for a long time. I know how it is to be on the receiving end of people cussing me out and yelling every name in the book at me and being smartmouths in general, for just me doing my job to pay my bills. It is a VERY hard job no matter what people may think of "how annoying" TSRs are.So, I am as nice as I can be. Sometimes I even give them pointers on their presentations, as I had done it for years myself and was a top TSR in my center. A lot of their pay is based on their sales and most companies REQUIRE them to make at least 2 rebuttals to objections...they are monitored a lot and if they are caught not rebuttaling they can get written up...possibly fired depending on how many times they have not responded to objections in calls. It is a hard job to do at times, but if you learn to take certain things in stride it can be good pay if you can make the sales.

 

[Draka]

TM: Hello, my name is Karen Post and I'm calling on behalf of (company name), may I please speak with Mr./Ms. (last name)

Me:How did you get this number?

TM: *insert inane excuse here* / Your (phone, credit, cable, etc) company (company name) provided your number in order to make you aware of this program/offer for which you are qualified for.

Me: Can I speak to your boss?

TM: Yes/No, Goodbye /Certainly, just one moment and I will have them on the line for you.

Boss: Hello / Hello, my name is Robert Smith and I am the supervisor on duty today. How may I help you?

Me: I never want your company, or anyone affiliated with your company to call me again. Okay?

Boss: *inane response here* / I am so sorry that we have bothered you sir/ma'am and will be glad to remove your name from our company calling list. You should not receive any more calls with offers from (company name). If you have any questions about this call please call 1-800-XXX-XXXX. Again I apologize for the inconvenience and I hope you have a Pleasant day/afternoon/evening. Goodbye.

Two days later they call me again. :banghead3


I understand they are just doing their job, and for the first 10 seconds I am usually very nice. However, I get 4 phonecalls a day from telemarketers. I have had enough. If you are in this line of work and someone says they aren't interested: don't push it, just give up. For gods sake, dont tick people off.

Oh, and dont come up with an excuse like "A randomly generated number" when you just said my name without me telling you. An obvious lie.

These insertions I have made are the prescribed verbatim responses used in a call such as this at the company calling center I worked for. If you do not receive this level of professionalism then I am sorry and the company is probably not reputable anyway.

 

[KirbyFan101]

These insertions I have made are the prescribed verbatim responses used in a call such as this at the company calling center I worked for. If you do not receive this level of professionalism then I am sorry and the company is probably not reputable anyway.

From all the companies that have called me, the excuses for having my number have been:

Randomly generated
Telephone book (we are not listed)
Other (vague reference to a list)

Asking to see the boss has been a mixed bag. Often, I am given the "he is not here at the moment", which is garbage, because its regulation to have a manager on site (at least in my country)

As for your boss response, thats exactly what I get. Funny how they still call me?
Honestly, they just dont care.

Maybe you worked for one of the better companies (or are just a litle optimistic), but this team of telemarketers really gets on my nerves. There is NO way they are taking off their list.

 

[Natas]

I agree with Draka. I have also did some telemarketing work in the past. Yes, you are just trying to keep your job and make enough money to have food on the table. I have lots of sympathy for most of the workers, but very little for the companies that control them. Last year I signed up on the national, "Do Not Call", list and about a month later I switched to an Internet phone company, so I really haven't had any telemarketers call since then.

 

[Bastet]

How I deal with telemarketers depends greatly on my mood when I pick up the phone. Most of the time these days if the phone rings and I don't get a response as soon as I say "Hello", then I know it's a telemarketer (since most of the call centres are based o/s now and there's a couple seconds delay initially), and I just hang up. And that's if I even answer the phone at all...most of my friends/family/workmates know my mobile phone number, and they'll call me on that if I they don't get me on the home phone. Some of the companies have finally taken me off their call list, after me repeatedly asking to be taken off it and then me finally doing my nana because they haven't. I don't like yelling at complete strangers who are only trying to do their job, but sometimes that's the only way they'll get the message. I had one guy all set to change my phone/internet provider, after I'd already said 'no' five times. :banghead3 I hate being railroaded into stuff, and that's what the majority of telemarketers try to do. It pisses me right off. Knockout :149: If my only job options were to clean toilets or be a telemarketer, I'd clean toilets for a living...it's far less offensive.

 

[Draka]

Ok, that is exactly the reason those of us that have worked in that field put up with that kind of thing. First off call centers can only put in the paperwork to remove the name and take it out of the campaign list it is in. They have no idea if the same number is in another list or not and cannot help it if it comes up again...it is dialed by computer more often than not. And however long it takes the client company to remove the name from all their lists is not the call center's fault.

As for cleaning toilets over working in a call center...working in a call center is a much more respectable and well paying job with benefits available. There is no shame in working for a call center, the shame is on the client company that mistreats its customers by placing the same numbers in several lists so that their customers are called to the point of annoyance. Those of us that worked/works in a call center honestly do take the steps to remove names from call lists, however all the numbers are listed in groups called campaigns that are in a computer dialer system programmed in by the client company. Call centers have no control over what numbers are in the stored campaigns to be called.

Please, unless the TSR themselves is genuinely rude to you, don't take it out on them. They are a mere worker bee that cannot control a major corporation's actions.

 

[Neo-Logic]

Well before I go to sleep, maybe I can help shed some light on the telemarketing process. I work for a loan place, more specifically a loans broker. We make money by switching people from their often crappy mortgage loan with high interest rates to a lower interest rate loan with the bank of their choosing or if they don't care, we choose for them. We get our broker's check and I get my spiffy little chunk of commission.

Coming into this business hating telemarketers myself, so I can understand how many of you must be feeling. But having the job as a telemarketer changes things and puts things in perspective. Well, at least for me it did.

There are a lot of bad telemarketers out there, but I think it's important for people to try to differentiate the good ones that can be benificial to all parties involved from the bad ones that are one-sided. The only way to do this is to actually take 20 seconds and listen to what the people are trying to say.

Anyways how telemarketing works, at least with my company is as follows -

1. I get a stack of "leads" with certain specifications that are already pre-checked and complys with the "DO-NOT-CALL" list.
2. I go through them, calling them one at a time and explaining to them their interest rates and how I can help lower them with our loan program.
3. If I can peak their interest, I tell them i'd like to take 2 minutes of their time to go ahead and fill out a free no-obligation pre-apprasal form and afterwards, we can get back to them within 30 minutes with the rates that they would pay on a monthly basis with our new loan program compared to what they are already paying now.
4. Hand to my supervisor.
5. My supervisor runs their credit report, calls them with calculated rates.
6. If all goes well, an appointment is made.
7. My supervisor drives out to that appointment on the set date. If all goes well and the client likes the figures, we get the papers signed.
8. Within 3 - 5 weeks, we get the brokers check and I get my chunk of commission.

That's about it ...

Just keep in mind, not all of us are out there to steal your information and put them up on e-bay. It's a shame though. I see some people with 8% FIX interest rate on their mortgages and they won't even take the time to talk. This happens more often than I would like. Just another example of the people who could use the help screwing themselves with stereotypes. Sometimes I can't help but think to myself "haha, your ignorance screwed you, good going" after I get hanged up by people with rediculous interest rates.

 

[Neo-Logic]

From all the companies that have called me, the excuses for having my number have been:

Randomly generated
Telephone book (we are not listed)
Other (vague reference to a list)

Asking to see the boss has been a mixed bag. Often, I am given the "he is not here at the moment", which is garbage, because its regulation to have a manager on site (at least in my country)

As for your boss response, thats exactly what I get. Funny how they still call me?
Honestly, they just dont care.

Maybe you worked for one of the better companies (or are just a litle optimistic), but this team of telemarketers really gets on my nerves. There is NO way they are taking off their list.

Randomly generated phone number and telephone book ... wow. I've only been working as a telemarketer for about 2 months, but even I know, if you ever get those types of responses as to how they ascretained your number, you shouldn't even be taking them seriously. Either they're frauds or they're just really really bad at telemarketing.

Yea, you can't ask for boss or their telephone number or the address. It's against company policy (more for protection of the telemarketers) to give out these types of information. Often, if you want to talk to the boss or speak with a person in charge, depending on whether or not you're trying to complain or get more information, one of these two things will happen -

1. They will most likely ask you to fill out a pre-apprasal form and their superior will get back to you with the information requested / further information (because often, they are informants themselves and do not know greater than what is needed to peak an interest)
2. They will hang up on you. (you are a small fish in the vast ocean of numbers)

If you want them to stop calling you, you need not ask them for the supervisor. Just tell the person calling you and they will take you off of their list.

If you ever get multiple calls from "hi this is ____ calling from the wholesale division / on behalf of _______" it's probably different people using the same script. So don't get mad because it's most likely different companies trying to peak your interest. It's not one person repeatedly calling your number for personal enjoyment.

Oh P.S - If you want a certain telemarketer to stop calling you, please, do not ever say "call me back another time" or "try back later" just to put it off. Chances are, we will call you back exactly when you said to or we will try back later. Say clearly "no" or "take my off your list." A "please" would'nt hurt either.

 

[Unedited]

If I'm in a good mood:

Me: Hello?

TM: Yes, is **** home?

Me: Who may I ask is calling?

TM: This is Bob with XYZ Company.

Me: I'm sorry, he's busy at the moment, would you like to leave a message?

TM: Um, no, I'll just call back.

Me: Alright, thank you. I'll tell him you called.


If I'm in a bad mood, I just won't answer. I know they're just trying to do their jobs, and though I find telemarketers annoying, I don't hate them. I just hate telemarketing companies and getting calls from them. I sort of have the same attitude towards them as I do pop-up ads. Sometimes something interesting pops up on my screen, but I never take the time to look at it, because it's a pop-up ad. I don't frankly care if a telemarketing company can offer me a better deal, they're a telemarketing company, and I won't support them.

 

[Quoth The Raven]

There's a website you can go to in Australia, to get your name and contact numbers taken off all the lists. I went there and dutifully filled in my and my other halfs details, up to and including my mobile phone, because even though I'd never received any calls on my mobile prior to this, I didn't want to give anyone any loopholes. The site tells you it may take up to 6 weeks to get everything organised so you don't get any more telemarketing calls. So we hit the submit button and we wait.
During the ensuing 6 weeks, every telemarketer under the sun called us up. We assumed it was a case of them getting in for their chop before the 6 week time frame was up. They're still calling, 6 months later. The best part? Now I get calls on my mobile phone. From people trying to sell me bloody mobile phones!

 

[Engyo]

The Do Not Call list has winnowed this down a good bit, but what I usually do is tell them I am busy now, and to give me their home number so I can call them back when it's convenient for me. They usually hang up.

 

[CaptainXeroid]

1. What is your typical response towards a telemarketing call?

"Thank for you calling Glen and Brandy. We can't come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, we'll get back to you as soon as we can."

We used to get so many calls:banghead3 that we got CallerID and started screening. I was so tired of being interrupted only to have to tell a telemarketer 6 different ways: "We rent this condo, and we have a homeowner's association. We do not need painting, siding, alarm system, pest control, HVAC service, carpet cleaning, pressure washing, nor lawn care; and we do not a porch on which you can leave information.

2. How do you percieve someone that is calling you trying to get you to esentially buy or do something? (Whether or not you think they're trying to fraud you, and if so, why and or how you get that impression)...

It seems to me that the person calling thought that the only reason I hadn't bought from him is because I hadn't heard his sales pitch yet. It also seemed that most telemarketers had no grasp of the fact that I do not need whatever it is they are selling, and there is nothing they can say to change that fact. I guess it's that attitude that makes me think the caller is trying to fraud me.

Among CallerID, the answering machine, and a dial-up internet phase I probably haven't had 5 telemarketing calls since 2001. If I need a good or service, I will educate myself and seek it out in the marketplace. I don't need some stranger invading my space and time to hawk something that he has no idea whether or not I need. Rant over...all better now.

 

[EnhancedSpirit]

My blood pressure rises with the mere thought. I don't even answer the phone half the time cause there is rarely a real person on the line. A couple of years ago I came across this very funny clip about using telemarketers against the Taliban. Click to watch.

 

[Yerda]

I don't really mind these calls. If I don't have time I say so, if I'm not interested I say so. I don't get roped into anything (I don't want/need credit cards, I have double glazing and a fitted kitchen, I am happy with my telephone/internet provider and I despise mobile phones - sorry) but I've never been impolite to someone simply earning a fair wage.

 

[michel]

There's a website you can go to in Australia, to get your name and contact numbers taken off all the lists. I went there and dutifully filled in my and my other halfs details, up to and including my mobile phone, because even though I'd never received any calls on my mobile prior to this, I didn't want to give anyone any loopholes. The site tells you it may take up to 6 weeks to get everything organised so you don't get any more telemarketing calls. So we hit the submit button and we wait.
During the ensuing 6 weeks, every telemarketer under the sun called us up. We assumed it was a case of them getting in for their chop before the 6 week time frame was up. They're still calling, 6 months later. The best part? Now I get calls on my mobile phone. From people trying to sell me bloody mobile phones!

Hehe - I know how you feel ! - there is a similar system in operation in the U.K - you register with 'the telephone preference society' - and your name will be supposedly not available to telemarketing companies.

It works - that is the wonderful news!!!!! -m the bad news is that all goes quiet for two months, and the whole lot starts again..............

At least we have the ability to say to the caller "You should be aware of the fact that we are registered with the telephone prefference society" - and that is enough to make them apologise and ring off.

There are the persistant ones though - and I must admit they get my back up. Worse still, just before Christmas, we came home to find a message on the answering machine;

"Ho ho ho, this is Santa Claus, and I am phoning you to tell you that you have won a free prize to Disneyland, Paris, for you both and up to three children!!!!!!!!"

*immediately looks up in phone book under 'adoptions' * (hope that doesn't offend any one)
Sure, you get a day's pass, but you have to stay in their hotel, eat their food, and the trip ends up costing 5 times as much as if I had arranged it myself - or rather My wife - who is the one to wear people down, haggling with costs!

The ones I do feel sorry for are those from the call centres in Mumbai; "helo is that mrs herianoxiosly ? someone asks me "No, I am sorry she is busy, but I am mr Hiernaux, can I help you?" - "Oh mr & mrs hierneauocx, I am so pleased.................":biglaugh: It isn't their fault and it is, I suppose, cruel to laugh, but they haven't even been taught the basics.

 

[huajiro]

These words will help you very much "put me on your do not call list". It is illegal for them to call afterwards.

 

[huajiro]

Got a couple of questions and would really appreciate it if you guys answered it with absolutely honesty.

1. What is your typical response towards a telemarketing call?

2. How do you percieve someone that is calling you trying to get you to esentially buy or do something? (Whether or not you think they're trying to fraud you, and if so, why and or how you get that impression)

I ask because the input might be of use in my line of work. Thanks.

I have to do some telemarketing in my job also, and I have to tell you....if you can avoid it, do it. I hate telemarketing, it is a no win game. Who in the heck is going to want you to call them at home (for example) and bug them about a product. If some person is gullible (or spontaneous) enough to buy something without researching first, don't you think they will be just as spontaneous in returning it, or will finally think about what they did?

I believe in advertising.....not telemarketing. I do it, only because I have to sometimes, not a lot, but sometimes.

 

[Scuba Pete]

I point out that I am on the "Do not call" list and ask why they called me. When they say that I ASKED for the call is usually when I get a bit heated.

Of course I did that to one of my son's teachers a couple of years ago.