Some things you just can't ignore...

**Ineed Chocolate** · 07-12-2010, 01:54 PM

ME: Will you please remove me from your call list?

CALLER from Healthstream Research: No, we can't and we don't fall under the laws that govern the Federal Do Not Call List, because we aren't trying to sell you anything...we are just doing research.

ME: I didn't even mention the Fed DNC List, you have obviously heard that complaint in the past. It's OK, I'll just sit here and argue the point with you. I'm off today and have all the time in the world. Then, since your time isn't any more valuable than mine, you won't mind that you can't make calls to others...I mean, after all, you are 'selling' anything, you just want my opinions, right? <long pause>

ME: NOW will you please take me off your call list? :bbg:
<She hung up on me>

**WFruit** · 07-12-2010, 02:34 PM

Give them a call....I'm sure there are people there that wear glasses/contacts that you can ask "research" questions.... Extentions in the 100's are usually the executives.....

http://www.healthstreamresearch.com/...s/default.aspx

**optical24/7** · 07-12-2010, 03:14 PM

I keep a handy list for unsolicited calls next to my phone. Feel free to use it. Just answer these calls with the following...

Policeman’s Union; “ Hello, Huntsville State Prison.”

Siding Salesman; “State Fraud Division.”

MADD; “ Gina’s Bar and Liquor Emporium.”

AA; Same answer as above…

AARP; “ Little Toddler’s Paradise.”

NRA; “ P.E.T.A. Headquarters.” Or you can sub “ Nancy Polosi’s Office.”

AT&T; Just keep saying… “Can ya hear me now?”

Credit Card Company; “ U.S. Treasury.”

Cable Company; “ Dish TV.”

Dish TV; “Cable Company.”

Political Call; “ American Communist Society.”

Church Fund Raiser; “Pagan Hotline.”

They usually just hang up and don't call back..

**Ineed Chocolate** · 07-12-2010, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by optical24/7

I keep a handy list for unsolicited calls next to my phone. Feel free to use it. Just answer these calls with the following...

Policeman’s Union; “ Hello, Huntsville State Prison.”

Siding Salesman; “State Fraud Division.”

MADD; “ Gina’s Bar and Liquor Emporium.”

AA; Same answer as above…

AARP; “ Little Toddler’s Paradise.”

NRA; “ P.E.T.A. Headquarters.” Or you can sub “ Nancy Polosi’s Office.”

AT&T; Just keep saying… “Can ya hear me now?”

Credit Card Company; “ U.S. Treasury.”

Cable Company; “ Dish TV.”

Dish TV; “Cable Company.”

Political Call; “ American Communist Society.”

Church Fund Raiser; “Pagan Hotline.”

They usually just hang up and don't call back..

Great responses! Usually I just ignore the calls, but for some reason I picked up.

**rbaker** · 07-13-2010, 01:47 AM

Call their 800 number. Call it many times each day. Have all of your friends and relatives call. Identify yourself and ask them to kindly remove you from their call bank. In a month or two, when someone there realizes that these incominng WATTS calls are costing them a buck or so they just might cease calling you.

Alternately, you can have your attorney send them the $100.00 letter threatening legal action for harrasment.

Or finally, you can just hang up the freaking phone when they call.

Have a nice day!

**PhotonicGuy** · 07-14-2010, 06:15 AM

rbaker, it is a great advice. As they say: " you're beating them with their own weapons" :).

**DragonLensmanWV** · 07-14-2010, 06:31 AM

I just tell them to hang on a minute while I put them on hold and take bets as to how long they'll wait before hanging up.

I got one guy who didn't like being called a spam phone call. I told him to put me on his DNC list. He said that was not for businesses,just homes. So I said "OK, just keep calling, you'll always get me and I'll see how long we can argue on your dime!"

**Ineed Chocolate** · 07-14-2010, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by rbaker

Call their 800 number. Call it many times each day. Have all of your friends and relatives call. Identify yourself and ask them to kindly remove you from their call bank. In a month or two, when someone there realizes that these incominng WATTS calls are costing them a buck or so they just might cease calling you.

Alternately, you can have your attorney send them the $100.00 letter threatening legal action for harrasment.

Or finally, you can just hang up the freaking phone when they call.

Have a nice day!

They called again yesterday, according to the caller ID (but only once). I can always ignore their calls, of course, but that particular day I hadn't checked the caller ID. I know they use computer-generated dialing programs, so a real person isn't on the other end when I first answer on my side. The live person doesn't come on until after I answer. I looked up their name and address on the internet and wrote them a letter. We'll see if the nice way works, you know, without my samrt-a** side of me appearing :) If not, I will try a few suggestions listed here...or maybe just IGNORE them :)