Get Your Own Back on Marketers

tempuscat

Have to disagree with #17: "The people on the other end of the line are only doing a job, and it is probably not a very pleasant one (and with poor pay)."

This kind of activity is not 'a job' in the sense that it fulfils a consumer need or useful social purpose. It is an activity that depends for its existence on the unwilling participation of others -- people who're subject to unsolicited telephone calls about unsolicited products.

An individual's time is valuable because it is that individual's right to choose how best to spend it. Intruding upon it, without invitation, is therefore a 'nuisance' -- never, a 'job'.

McAzrael

Don't just send junk mail back in reply paid envelopes - tape them to a brick to keep the postage charges high.

kuohu

tempuscat wrote:

Have to disagree with #17: "The people on the other end of the line are only doing a job, and it is probably not a very pleasant one (and with poor pay)."

This kind of activity is not 'a job' in the sense that it fulfils a consumer need or useful social purpose. It is an activity that depends for its existence on the unwilling participation of others -- people who're subject to unsolicited telephone calls about unsolicited products.

An individual's time is valuable because it is that individual's right to choose how best to spend it. Intruding upon it, without invitation, is therefore a 'nuisance' -- never, a 'job'.

In society people have to go to work, usually 5 days a week, performing tasks for an employer in return for money. This is generally called having a job.

I maintain that it is wrong to be rude to telesales staff or to give them the runaround just because of your annoyance with the company they work for. Telesales staff are people too.

golddustmedia

I tried a new one for me today;

Got a call offering alternative phone service and I interrupted saying they needed to speak with my father Mr.golddustmedia Senior. (Although he doesn't live with me and I'm home owner it was just a good excuse). Then I told the marketing person, I'll just go get him and I left the phone on kitchen table for a few mins.

Later I returned and said loudly "Someone's left the phone off the hook!" and hung it up

beccatt

Somewhere on the thread someone said that anyone who applies for freebies or surveys etc will inevitably get junk mail...

I suspected this, so when I started using the freebies board regularly I started putting the name of the company in my address on the application form so I would know who had sold my details on if I started getting loads of junk. For example, when sending off for a comfort sample I'd put Joe 'Comfort' Bloggs, 20 Letsby Avenue. etc
To be fair, I've applied for a lot of freebies :T but I haven't had mountains of junk mail. But I'm hoping that my technique will identify the culprit if it does ever happen

EagerLearner

I have to agree with Kohu - sometimes the only jobs people can get to pay for food & roof over their head is telesales. They are often simply selling products for different companies each day, and to them it's one way to make money, sometimes the only way. They are not involved in product decisions, marketing etc - they're just a mouth piece.

Being rude or shouting at these guys does nothing - simply politely request that your details be deleted (once, twice, three times if need be), as good manners will get you alot further. Plus, it will reduce your heart rate and lead to a calmer life... Meditate with me now...

*...UhhHHHhhhhhhhhhhMmmmm...*

EagerLearner

FirstClassMale

Ok, I may sound rather hypocrytical here because, in the past I have done telesales. I have never agreed with it but it was part of my sales job and "apparently" very good for leads. I was a salesman with morals.... I am no longer a salesman!

A call came through about a month ago offering me a new mobile phone (I used to sell the damn things, I make sure I have the best deal going) which apparently came with holiday vouchers to the Canary Isles.

"A canary? what would I want with a canary? I have a cat"

"No sir, it is a holiday to the Canaries"

"Thats no use, our cat would just eat a canary"

"I am offering you a free holiday to the Canaries"

"I'll tell you what I do need, not a canary but concrete (I was building a base for my new log cabin at the time) I need lots of concrete because it's taking me ages with the cement mixer I have. There's been all sorts of problems, we had snow here the other day you know and concrete is hard to do in snow......

I heard a small laugh on the other end and he hung up.

Talk about anything, twist slightly what they have said and just fit it around something that might have happened to you recently. You get to have a rant about something and they either think you are mad or at least get a chuckle. Beats being told where to go.

I have remembered another occasion where a window company called to say that they were doing a 3 free windows promotion. I said I was very interested and I would accept their offer. The girl asked if someone could call me shortly to discuss it further and I agreed.

When the salesperson called me I asked when I would get the windows fitted. She said she would need to ask me a few questions.

"What type of glazing do you currently have?"

"Old wooden single glazing, it's a very generous offer you have"

"And how many units would you want replaced?"

"Oh all of them I'd say"

"and how many is that"

"All three. So... When do they get fitted?"

"Oh"

"I live in a one bedroomed flat and I want my free windows. Is there a problem? I hope not. Both you and your colleague offered me Three free window and I'd like them please"

After she tried to explain that it would not apply in my case, I asked why they offered them without saying there was a minimum order I needed to place and why would I order, say six windows when I only needed three.

That company never called again for some reason.

tempuscat

kuohu writes: I maintain that it is wrong to be rude to telesales staff or to give them the runaround just because of your annoyance with the company they work for.

But that's precisely what the telesales companies count upon for their very existence: that consumers will tolerate intrusive -- and very often, misleading -- calls out of a sense of courtesy towards the caller.

Outfits engaged in this kind of activity wouldn't last long if they couldn't recruit staff because the work experience was going to be so distasteful.

redmandarin

pricefighter wrote:

What you need is a Telecrapper 2000 see: http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/12/the-telecrapper-2000/

Make sure you play Flash Recording which has been moved to here
http://www.deviantart.com/view/22995489/

Ha ha brilliant - I want one

redmandarin

pthompson wrote:

Yes -- It's a good idea to delete anything with your details on it...

Years ago I returned some junk mail to my bank with "STOP SENDING SPAM YOU MORONS" scrawled all over it. Months later I had to apply for a loan, and QUOTE]

...did they give you the loan?