Ever get tired of getting unsolicited and unwanted telemarketing calls? After a long, hard day at work or tending to the kids, nobody wants to have to deal with telemarketing calls at all hours of the day, sometimes even two or three times a day. Then, to top it all off, there are some telemarketers who continue to harass you even after you have politely given them a no answer. Unfortunately, you may not be able to entirely stop all annoying telemarketing calls, but you can at least make a huge dent in the calls that you receive with these suggestions.
Put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) manages the National Do Not Call Registry to help stop the majority of unsolicited telemarketing calls. It takes 31 days after you register your number for telemarketers to stop calling. If they call you after 31 days, you should let them know that your number is on the registry and that you will file a complaint against them if they call you again. Keep in mind that all telemarketers are not covered by the National Do Not Call Registry. If this is the case, then just tell them to put your name on their company do not call list. You can register your telephone number and find out additional information, guidelines, and restrictions at www.donotcall.gov.
Start a conversation about an unrelated and inappropriate topic
If you have to keep telling telemarketers no because they just won’t listen, then start talking about something off the wall that would hopefully cause the telemarketers to get the picture that you’re just not interested. Some ideas for interesting topics that might cause telemarketers to quit calling would be discussions related to bowel movements, diaper changes, or projectile vomit.
Tell them that you already own it
A lot of times telemarketers will try to sale you products or services that you are already using. If this is the case, don’t just simply tell them no. Inform them that you already have the product, you enjoy it, and that you don’t need anymore of it. This way telemarketers will know that there’s no need to call back to sell you something that you already have.
Tell them that you don’t have the money
Don’t be embarrassed to say that you’re broke. If you’re financially unable to make a purchase or donation, then tell telemarketers that you can’t afford it. Explain why you can’t afford their products or services and let them know that you would appreciate it if they would stop calling you when they know you can’t afford to get anything.