I don't care who, I will not pay membership by telemarker proxy

[Deja Q]

People for the American Way, along with a million other telemarketers, called me some time ago. (Indeed, having been out on surgery, it's been THREE MONTHS since I picked up the phone - and if it's a telemarketer I always hang up, period.)

Yet I just got a letter saying "Thanks for the membership, can we have your money now? You said you'd give it."

:wtf:

I did not say "I'll join". To anybody.

So, sorry telemarketers, you can try this puerile stuff. Don't expect me to endorse a check. I did not sign; I've been bamboozled before, it will not happen again. Stop calling.

And, yes, I know PfAW is a left wing organization. I can't afford it right now.

[Randi_Listener]

1. Tell them to "get fucked sideways".

Then hang up the fucking phone. This shit is another cheap strongarm tactic.

[Deja Q]

2. Oh, the moment they say their name I hang up.

I don't let them tell me their maudlin story.

The rat race ended some time ago and the rats won. I've got debt to repay and that has priority.

[sui generis]

3. this is a new tactic

I keep getting "thank you for your commitment now write the damn check" style of letters from Sierra Club, SPCA, Mom&Pop'sAnimalShelter.com, KERA (PBS), etc.

[unhappycamper]

4. The correct response is to

very politely say "Can you hold on a moment?"

Put the phone down & go take a nap, wax the car, go grocery shopping, etc.

NYTimes had an article on this within the last week or so.

[jojo54]

5. self-delete

[unhappycamper]

8. but you were correct

:-)

[jojo54]

9. Didn't know political orgs count

Thought it was just teles.

[unhappycamper]

10. actually, I think

non-profits and anyone you have ever had a business relationship with are excluded from the no-call restriction.

We had a local department store in Boston that was bought out by May which was just bought by Federated. That means I have a business relationship with about 50 chains.

But the old phone trick always works. I have never had someone still on the phone when I got back to it.

:hi:

[Demit]

6. Most times I say Oh I'm sorry, I've been unemployed for a long time now

(which is true) and they backtrack pretty quick out of the phone call, being human. Other times I hang up right away, when I can tell it's a telemarketer. ESPECIALLY that kind of lag right after you say hello, and there's silence, like it's an autodial thing or something? I really hate that, having to say hello twice. THEN they get an earful.

[Dr.Phool]

7. My wife made the mistake

Of donating to the Florida State Troopers Assn., even after she told them we were unemployed.

A few months back, they started calling all the time, asking for her. I mean they were calling several times a day!! I cussed them out every time to no avail.

Finally after the 4th call one afternoon, I told them she had passed away (lie). The calls stopped.