The totally off-topic thread

[cgichard]

My phone number once had a 'mix up" with the local lady entertainers.. & so the phone ran hot with such obscure calls around the clock..

I used to get similar calls. A business-like voice would say: "I'd like to make an appointment for spanking." To which I would politely reply: "Sir, you have the wrong number."

 

[get me outta here]

I used to get similar calls. A business-like voice would say: "I'd like to make an appointment for spanking." To which I would politely reply: "Sir, you have the wrong number."

That sounds like an intriguing money spinner. He must have gone to an elite boarding school, they go in for that sorta thing.

 

[Hvr]

I used to get similar calls. A business-like voice would say: "I'd like to make an appointment for spanking." To which I would politely reply: "Sir, you have the wrong number."

Another way to handle this would be to get their name and number, preferred type of discipline and then tell them they've rung the wrong number...

 

[Hvr]

That sounds like an intriguing money spinner. He must have gone to an elite boarding school, they go in for that sorta thing.

At least you're taking a liberal view. (Is that small l or Large L? )

 

[get me outta here]

Another way to handle this would be to get their name and number, preferred type of discipline and then tell them they've rung the wrong number...

If I had all that info I'd be tempted to start up a business sideline.

 

[Hvr]

If I had all that info I'd be tempted to start up a business sideline.

You could call it "Capital Punishment". I guess you'd be in session when they are.

 

[get me outta here]

What a great idea, I'll mull it over and work up a business plan.
CAPEX: whip (down to the horsey shop in Phillip, telephone, mask ... lotsa leather ...

OK, back to work, time to hang out the washing.

 

[dfcatch]

We're on that list. SWMBO stuffed them up one of them one night so much that he shouted "I don't want to speak to you!" SWMBO just replied "ok" and hung up. Basically we have a game of trying to keep them on the phone for as long as possible without buying anything and to just really annoy them. In the example mentioned they were asking for Mr (mymiddlename). Obvious they want me but she just keep saying nope no one by that name, who do you want?

Anyway, that's our game. It works because they have kpis based on selling things and short phone calls. So long phone call, no sale and word quickly gets around.

Having said that, I'd think those guys do the job because they want to get paid.

At work - I know it's a call centre when there's a delay answering the phone before they start with "good morning how are you today, can I speak with the owner of this landline".....

My new response is "certainly - let me just place you on hold...."

I usually go back at least once to encourage them to stay on the line

 

[The Rok]

With the amount of abuse I have thrown at Indian call centres (generalisation, Eastern region call centres) I am surprised I still get phone calls at all. Nobody has my home phone number, even I don't know it, in the two years we have had it I have only ever made probably less than 5 calls, usually if the mobile network is down, I should really just unplug the phone, but I seem top take pleasure when the phone rings, knowing it will be one of these call centres my eyes light up, myself and my fiancé take pleasure in just winding up the caller……. its soooo much fun…..

Have you ever answered your home phone with "Good Morning, Australian Federal Police Plaza, how can I help you?"

 

[Pushka]

Mr brother was telling me one response a friend made. As soon as they heard that tell tale wait after answering, they answered with 'Detective Brown here and this is a murder crime scene. ' Then muffled said, No Sergeant move the chalk line there. Then came back to the phone and said that their phone call to the deceased was now considered as evidence to a murder and would be recorded. The guy hung up.

I don't think they've had a call since.

 

[Major]

Congratulations to Straightman for 10 years with AFF

Thanks Bill for your input, your moderation, your experience and most of all for your company

We now expect at least another 10 years

 

[Bundy Bear]

Another congratulations to straitman from me as well.

I have known Bill and his wife for around 7 years, time certainly flies, can I have some of those years back so I can redo some things.

Heres to another 10 years

 

[get me outta here]

On the theme of nuisance calls in all seriousness. I consider whoever it is as just trying to make an honest living and usually politely say, 'no thanks (name), good bye' and hang up.

 

[Pushka]

On the theme of nuisance calls in all seriousness. I consider whoever it is as just trying to make an honest living and usually politely say, 'no thanks (name), good bye' and hang up.

I agree that's the most polite thing. But we seem to get these calls in waves. From nothing to several in a day. That's when manners go out the door.

 

[markis10]

Some hotels and me are just not meant to get along together, thought I would give the hotel a second chance, after a cold breakfast, having 8 different people knock on the door for various reasons but mainly to see if I had checked out, I am now waiting in the lounge for my laundry to be returned, and yes, it's past checkout time. At least the lounge has decent coffee and Wifi, but compared to other options in KL, the IC leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[robd]

I agree that's the most polite thing. But we seem to get these calls in waves. From nothing to several in a day. That's when manners go out the door.

Like you, I get 2 or 3 calls a week some weeks, and then maybe nothing for a week in between. If only it was as simple as saying "I'm not interested, but thank you" and then hanging up, this wouldn't even be discussed here. Whilst I respect these people are only doing there jobs, they are extremely tenacious. For the first 3 minutes or so, you don't even have an opportunity to speak. Typically, the call begins with "am I speaking to robd?" Answer - "yes". "How are you today?" Answer - "Good thanks" and then off they go. When they eventually give you an opportunity to speak and you say that you're not interested, they just keep going.

I had one bloke, calling about website development expertise, from India I think, who just kept on, and on, and on and then became so aggressive toward me because I wouldn't meet with his people for 5 minutes, he actually abused me and then hung up on me.

Unfortunately, I am not in a position to be able to hear the typical overseas delay and just hang up, because we trade with several suppliers from overseas.

Recently, I tried the play-along with a "Telstra" business supplier who, as they all do, said we could save $$$ every month on our landline call rates and line rentals. I let them talk for a good 15 mins saying "that's great, blah, blah, blah". When the operator transferred me to the supervisor to sign us up on the great new rates, I ask him to confirm that they were going to pay out our current Telstra contract which is circa $20k (being phone system contract with at least 2 years left to run). The quickest backtrack ever.

The printer cartridge people are almost as bad too.

 

[get me outta here]

Hmm, I just cut them off immediately so don't have a lot of time to get frustrated, apart from the initial intrusion. Do the same thing 'w people at the front door.

 

[jetlagger]

Like you, I get 2 or 3 calls a week some weeks, and then maybe nothing for a week in between. If only it was as simple as saying "I'm not interested, but thank you" and then hanging up, this wouldn't even be discussed here. Whilst I respect these people are only doing there jobs, they are extremely tenacious. For the first 3 minutes or so, you don't even have an opportunity to speak. Typically, the call begins with "am I speaking to robd?" Answer - "yes". "How are you today?" Answer - "Good thanks" and then off they go. When they eventually give you an opportunity to speak and you say that you're not interested, they just keep going.

I had one bloke, calling about website development expertise, from India I think, who just kept on, and on, and on and then became so aggressive toward me because I wouldn't meet with his people for 5 minutes, he actually abused me and then hung up on me.

Unfortunately, I am not in a position to be able to hear the typical overseas delay and just hang up, because we trade with several suppliers from overseas.

Recently, I tried the play-along with a "Telstra" business supplier who, as they all do, said we could save $$$ every month on our landline call rates and line rentals. I let them talk for a good 15 mins saying "that's great, blah, blah, blah". When the operator transferred me to the supervisor to sign us up on the great new rates, I ask him to confirm that they were going to pay out our current Telstra contract which is circa $20k (being phone system contract with at least 2 years left to run). The quickest backtrack ever.

The printer cartridge people are almost as bad too.

Some of the very reasons here that I am currently training a talented parrot to service the incoming private number calls.

 

[medhead]

I know what you mean about the aggressive sales pitches. Once I politely tell them no, if they try to keep me on the phone, and refuse to say bye, I just I'm hanging up now. Then do it.

 

[docjames]

I basically just hang up as soon as I work out its a cold call. No goodbye, no discussion, just hang up. They always seem to get me at work and I don't have time to deal with it. Unfortunately the hospital numbers are blocked also so I'm forced to answer in case it is an urgent work call.

I've tried the "hold on a minute" method too.....