Calls from TS resellers

[Jimster]

I am very irritated by the frequent calls from TS resellers. I am on the do not call list and I have asked to be removed many times. I am particularly angry with a company (out of Michigan I think) that uses Indian speakers to call. They call 2 or 3 times a week and often at very inconvenient times. They also always mis-pronounce my name and it is not a difficult name to pronounce. Between the Indian accent and the mis-pronounciation they are easy to identify quickly but that doesnt make them less irritating. I have not filed an FTC complaint on them but I have with others but with no effect. Anyone have any better ideas?

 

[DeniseM]

Picking up the phone only encourages them:

1. use your caller ID
2. don't answer the phone if you don't know the caller
3. let the voice mail pick up.

 

[TUGBrian]

just ask them to "hang on one sec" then set the phone down and walk away (assuming its not your cell phone)...dont come back to it =)

this tactic has always amused me.

 

[Rent_Share]

It always amazes me that people come to TUG to complain that criminals whose business model is to steal upfront fees for a worthless timeshare by lying to the owner that they have a buyer waiting to purchase for more than it's worth, just send me money for (Insert BS Fee Here) will not respect the do not call rules.

 

[geekette]

"Oh good, I was hoping you'd call back! Hang on while I get the recorder set up... The FTC said I had to actually record you this time for the $50K violation fee to be paid directly to me so please speak clearly..."

"He's dead. You'll have to talk to the probate attorney. I'm sure he'll want to quitclaim to you since the maint fees are due. his number is ..." and I'm sure folks can be creative with what phone number to provide ...

"A what? I don't have any time to share with you, I'm kinda busy tonight." click

There isn't much you can do. So, don't let it irritate you, instead make it into a fun game for yourself. And please remember, They Called You, there is no obligation on your part to be polite or friendly. Don't forget they are scammers trying to steal from you.

 

[csxjohn]

My answering machine is on 24/7 and it doesn't mind dealing with sales calls. If it's someone I want to talk to I pick up the phone.

 

[vacationhopeful]

My favorite is saying "he is not here right now. How good of a long distance dialing plan to you have? He moved far away - (432) 936 4355".

That is the number for HeavenHell .... Sorry, but the area code is Texas.

My Dad (last of my parents) passed away in 10+ years ago; he did have a sense of humor.

 

[baz48]

Picking up the phone only encourages them:

1. use your caller ID
2. don't answer the phone if you don't know the caller
3. let the voice mail pick up.

I've noticed lately that many of these unrecognized numbers hang up before my answering machine picks up. Even better - I don't have to bother deleting them.

 

[Jimster]

calls

As for making rude comments or leaving the phone while i walk away, I have tried all these. My favorite is" Give me your home number and Ill be sure to make incessant irritating calls to you every day".
What i want is them not to call. Even if it goes to answering machine, I will still probably go to the phone and check the number and that can be inconvenient enough.
There is an obvious solution but it would mean that the phone company would lose money and we cant have that. If they would simply put a star in the phone book by those patrons willing to take unsolicited phone calls, it would eliminate that source. For those resellers and callers who buy numbers from others, that could made illegal. I dont find it comforting to have it listed in the privacy statement of some firms that they dont sell numbers.

 

[dougp26364]

They won't stop calling. Even if you sell your timeshare you'll still be on a list somewhere for years to come. I know a couple who bought, then cancelled their purchase. They still get calls.

These are not legitimate companies. They're thiefs bent on taking money from disgruntled timeshare owners desperite to sell their timeshares and foolish enough to believe someone they don't know who has just cold called them on the phone. Their buisness model is based on the law of large numbers. Make 100 calls per hour, get 10 potential targets, 3 that are serious and 1 that's stupid enough to hand over the money. They don't care about the DNC. They'll be long gone before the government can even think about acting (fat lot of good that law did huh?)

The easiest way is just don't answer the phone. If you do answer, just hang up. If you want to annoy them enough they stop calling for a little while, take up their time by keeping them on the phone as long as you can. Con men don't like to spend a lot of time fishing in a dry hole. Let them believe you're thinking about biting. They're wasting your time. Now it's time to waste their time. Every minute you keep them on the line cost them money. Remember, they deal with the law of large numbers. Their target is to dial the phone 60 to 100 times per hours hoping to get just one buyer. Take up 10 to 20 minutes of their time and you just cost them a few hundred dollars. Do it enough and your number gets taken off their list........until they buy a new list and the process starts all over again.

Filing a complaint with the DNC is an exercise in futility. These guys are crooks working out of a boiler room office that moves every few months. You'll never see results filing a complaint.

 

[TUGBrian]

i just prefer the walking away after sounding interested because

1. it costs them time making the call
2. it prevents them from calling the next person that might get scammed (if albeit for a short time)

 

[RX8]

Funniest way to handle a telemarketer

This is hilarious (IMO). This person convinces the telemarketer that he has just called into a crime scene. If only i could be as quick on my feet as this guy.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=-7OgWcwgB50&desktop_uri=/watch?v=-7OgWcwgB50

 

[Jimster]

funny

Rx thanks for posting very funny