The TeleZapper
Since this is technically a technology topic I thought I'd post it here instead of AO.
Apparently the TeleZapper things on the market DO work fairly well in terms of reducing the number of telenazi calls a person gets during the course of the day... BUT ...
The Amazon description notes that there is an annoying tone made every time you pick up the phone. Are they saying EVERY time, or only those times when there's a telemarketing computer on the other end (or anonymous business-to-home calls)?
If the former it's more of a pain than the calls themselves, if the latter, I'm all over it. Anyone actually use these things? Does it make sense to get the newer 3-tone model that combats the latest tele-nazi technologies?
Apparently the TeleZapper things on the market DO work fairly well in terms of reducing the number of telenazi calls a person gets during the course of the day... BUT ...
The Amazon description notes that there is an annoying tone made every time you pick up the phone. Are they saying EVERY time, or only those times when there's a telemarketing computer on the other end (or anonymous business-to-home calls)?
If the former it's more of a pain than the calls themselves, if the latter, I'm all over it. Anyone actually use these things? Does it make sense to get the newer 3-tone model that combats the latest tele-nazi technologies?
Comments
The way the telezapper works is by playing the first tone of the three ascending tones that you get when dial a number that is not in service. Pretty sneaky, huh?
I don't own one, so I'm not speaking from experience. I don't know if it would be all that annoying, though; the tone sounds before you begin to speak, and is pretty short, from what I understand.
[Edit-- I think MCQ is right-- I think telemarketers must use a distinctive ring, and the telezapper recognizes it. I think.
[ 02-12-2003: Message edited by: Gamblor ]</p>
And yes, it does work.
If you don't want to get a phone call during dinner, don't answer the phone. Better yet, turn the ringer off. If your family times are so sacred, you wouldn't pick up the phone. If you just hate sales calls so much there are better things you can do to stop them. First, quit using you kids to screen calls. that is the least effective and lowest things you can do. When telemarketers talk to kids, they will simply call back until they get a responsible party no matter what you tell the kids to say. Don't lie to the telemarketer. telling them you are busy or that you don't have time simply triggers a call back as well. Also, don't just say you're not interested and hang up. That will get you a call back in a few weeks.
Just answer the phone and politely ask them to place you on their do not call list. Those are the magic words. If them call you beck, you can sue for a nice chunk of change. You may not like telemarketing but that does not give you the right to be rude or uncivil to someone who is just doing their job. They are not a sub species of human. Don't treat them that way. You voluntarily answered the phone. Don't get mad because it's not Publisher's Clearing House giving you the ten million dollar prize. Even if it was, your telezapper probably would block the call. Food for thought.
Sure, it's legal for you to call us unless we ask to be put on a do not call list. It's also legal for us to be rude to you. Want to be treated nicely, then don't call
I know it's your job and all, and that's wonderful, and I can sympathize to an extent. But you say you make good money, so dealing with pissed off people is just going to have to be in the job description. You've not inspired me to be nice to the telemarketers when they call me.
Actually, I get maybe a call every couple of months, so it isn't that bad. Whenever I fill out forms asking for a home phone number, I always give my cell phone number. It is actually illegal for telemarketers to call a cellular telephone. I've been giving my cell phone number out for about five years now, and never have I received a telemarketing call on it.
<strong>If you don't want to get a phone call during dinner, don't answer the phone. Better yet, turn the ringer off. If your family times are so sacred, you wouldn't pick up the phone. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Many worry about an emergency call. Is it your kids? Your parents? It's an invasion of privacy, not legally so but an invasion nonetheless.
[quote]<strong>You may not like telemarketing but that does not give you the right to be rude or uncivil to someone who is just doing their job.</strong><hr></blockquote>
The people you encounter are not being rude because they have some issue with you earning money, they're being rude because they're annoyed.
[quote]<strong>They are not a sub species of human. Don't treat them that way.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Sending tones down the line does not qualify as inhumane treatment; especially not against an automated dialer.
[quote]<strong>Don't get mad because it's not Publisher's Clearing House giving you the ten million dollar prize. Even if it was, your telezapper probably would block the call. Food for thought.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That last bit of wit hardly qualifies.
[quote]
food for thought
n : intellectual sustenance [syn: pabulum, intellectual nourishment]
<hr></blockquote>
Look, you work in a position that most people find annoying, didn't you know this going in? Why the indignity? When at a party do you have to think twice before you tell someone you're a telemarketer?
If the money is as good as you claim, deal with it. If you need a position that commands a little respect then consider a career change.
[ 02-14-2003: Message edited by: serrano ]</p>
<strong>What I am referring to is general respect from one human being to another. I don't like panhandling, but that does not give me the right to be uncivil to another human being. For that matter, I don't care much for telemarketing. Then again, I don't like annoying sales people in stores. There are plenty of people who don't like my product or the fact that I called during dinner, but they are not uncivil. I get some people who start swearing and verbally abusing and foaming at the mouth simply because they got a phone call from a telemarketer. I feel sorry for those people. I can tell by some of the posts I see on these boards that civility is something of a lost virtue. We use any excuse to be rude. Annoyance is no excuse for bad behavior.</strong><hr></blockquote>
It's one thing to be civil when someone calls, but when you get 4-5 calls a day during times when they know you're at home after a long day of work AND they refuse to hang up when you tell them you're not interested, that's when I get rude.
It's the equivalent of someone ringing my doorbell and asking me to buy something and refusing to leave until I've a) slammed the door in their face or b) told them repeatedly that I'm not interested. If this happened once-in-a-while, I'd be ok with it, but 4-5 times a NIGHT? That's absurd. You want me to be civil? Send me a postcard in the mail asking me to call YOU for service. Then I'll be civil. Until then, quit f*ing calling me.
Since I moved to RTP, I've gotten a cell phone only and I give out fake numbers to all places but my bank and credit card companies and I tell them NOT to give my information out to anyone. I haven't gotten one call since then. If I have to give out a real number, I give them my work number. For some reason I haven't gotten any calls there either. The Dook system must screen them out or something.
So if you don't care for telemarketing, get a new job. Apparently you enjoy telemarketing enough to keep working there, but you're willing to tell us you don't much care for other sorts of harassments. So before calling the majority of us uncivil, I would re-evaluate your current standpoint in life...
<strong>...
Annoyance is no excuse for bad behavior.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Bad behavior begets bad behavior.
You don't like our reason for returning it and we don't like your reason for creating it.
Die telemarketers! Die!
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
Even though I don't like telemarketing, I do not compromise my principals by being a telemarketer. I'm a salesman and have done all types of sales. I'm pretty good at what I do. I sell a great product at a great price with great terms. No money up front and cancel at any time. No one is taken advantage of by me. By and large, people are glad I called. Even when they don't buy for economic reasons, we give away two week free samples. I wouldn't take just any sales job for just any company selling just any product. I have made my ethical choices. Do not assume you know what manner of man I am simply because I do a job you find distasteful. Just because I don't care for sales in general does not mean that find it unethical.
As far as rude telemarketers go, request to placed on their DO NOT CALL list, and if they call again, SUE THEM!! I have no tolerance for rude sales people. Most legitimate businesses don't either. Your irritation does not give you license for incivility. There are appropriate responses to every situation. Seldom, if ever, is incivility appropriate or effective.
As far as telezappers go, they will not solve your problems. They will not make telemarketers go away, not for long. Frankly, I wish a national do not call option was a part of basic telephone service. Those who have a bad reaction to such calls should know that we don't want to talk to you anymore than you wish to talk to us. Rudeness on either side of the call does not advance anyone's cause.