Thursday, November 06, 2008

Confusing the Telemarketers

Ha, I found a perfect way to get rid of a telemarketer. And it only worked because the telemarketer was stupid enough to tell me where she was calling from. She wanted to talk to him about a listing in a directory of some kind, so I put her on hold and said I'd see if my boss was available.

"Paul, do you want to talk to this woman from directory name?"

"Does she want to advertise?

"No. I think she wants us to advertise with them."

"Nope."

Back to the woman, I continued the conversation.

"I'm sorry, Paul isn't available, can I take a message."

"I just need him to confirm your listing for directory name."

"I can do that for you." She hesitated, reading off the business name and address, but said she had to get the fax number from him.

"I can do that for you."

"No, I need to speak with Mr. — so I can confirm the listing."

"You want us to pay for it?"

"Yes."

"Then he isn't interested," I said. "If you want us to buy advertising, he isn't interested. If you want to buy an ad in our magazine, he'd be more than happy to speak with you."

"That is presumptuous. How do you know that if you didn't talk to him."

"I already asked, he isn't interested," I said.

"Okay, now I'm confused."

Oh goody. My work here is done.