I LOVE to mess with the telemarketers. ( I am, however, respectful in my decline if the person sounds elderly -- I have my limits). I finally got fed up with the industry when they started pretending that they were a friend of my husband.

Here are some of the best so far......

Repeat everything they say -- not in a questioning tone, but more in a declarative tone. Think about how your kids get ticked off when one simply repeats the other---I did this to an AT&T telemarketer whlie I was eating dinner. I finally had to stop because I couldn't quit laughing and thought I might choke.

Once a window company told me they were going to be installing in my neighborhood and wanted to know if I needed new windows free of charge. I found this funny since we lived on a military base, so I let them schedule the appt. I said, "You know, I told my husband we really could use some new windows here and you are REALLY going to be here in MY neighborhood". They never asked if we owned the house. When the salesman called to confirm the appt., I told him that he might be careful with the guards at the front since they have large guns and he would need a federal contract. I told him that I had a little fun at his telemarketer's expense and explained everything as well as reminding him it is important to prequalify clients. We both laughed over that one.

I told a telemarketer that I was in labor once and had to go (screaming in pain, of course)

One telemarketer asked if I was the "decision maker" and I told her "No way, the last time I made a decision, my husband beat me black and blue so I was never going to make that mistake again". She was trying to hide her shock, but she was rattled on that one.

I told one I was in the Witness Protection Plan -- also used that one with Vonage when we disconnected. They have a canned response for every reason you could come up with and would try to keep you on the phone, offer to give your phone # to a friend so you wouldn't lose out on their great deals, etc. I stumped them with that one.

Here is a website with some ideas you might try.

I knew of a person who would pray with the telemarketers -- that is a REALLY NICE person. I probably should be more like that.

I have asked some how long I have to stay on the phone for them to get paid.....most won't tell you of course.




FunBun.com - Telemarketer Revenge - Funpages