Just another annoyance.....

Ok, have I missed something? Did the "Do Not Call" lists expire? In the last couple weeks I have been pestered beyond belief by unwanted phone calls. 95% of them have been from people "conducting a survey", the other 5% were just plain selling something or were political calls.

I thought I would be getting a lot of political calls, but that wasn't the case at all.

Have they found some sort of "loophole" that now lets them bother you by claiming they are conducting surveys? And to add insult to injury......every single one of those calls were made by people who had very thick accents. In other words, they were a nightmare to understand. Aren't these companies paying attention?

I especially loved the one from the guy who sounded like he was calling from a busy cafe (noisy) in Bangladesh. His accent was so bad I could only figure out that it was something to do with my computer. I finally lost patience and said "since I don't know what you're talking about, it would be wise of me to end this call....so good-bye" and I hung up. I had to laugh when I checked the caller ID after I hung up; 1-000-000-0000. No lie, that's honestly what it said. Most of the others just say "out of area" and give you no further info.

No......I can't bring myself to be mean and hateful and slam down the receiver, but I'll admit the thought does cross my mind. They are just trying to do a job, although they are not very good at it and cause more inconvenience and frustration than anything.

When oh WHEN are we ever going to be able to block our numbers from these unwanted calls?

My main thought is.....'does anyone ever actually BUY from these people?'......when you can't even understand what they want......how can you make a legitimate purchase?

One of the calls was about the yellow pages. I stayed with her for a minute or so because I was curious. Her English was horrid but I thought maybe I could manage. When she actually asked me to get up from my comfy chair in the living room to go get my yellow pages.....I knew it was time to end the call and I did. "No, I don't want to do that.....so, good-bye". click

When I was in my early twenties, I did telemarketing for about two weeks. It was for college classes through VA and all I had to do was get them the "lead" (someone who shows an interest and gives their contact information) and then someone from their main office would take it from there. I got paid so much for each lead. I can tell you that it definitely was not worth the names I got called or the slammed receivers in my ear, even though I did pretty well getting leads for them. I guess that's why I can't be hateful to telemarketers now......unless they are aggressive. And I have come across a few of those who represented......are you ready for this?....charitable organizations. That's when I figured out my donation was partly going for their pay. Sometimes I'm a little slow. Needless to say, I no longer give to those organizations.

I remember I used to feel guilty about bothering people right at "supper time" but that's when we were told to call, as more people would be home then. I wonder if any of these people I'm getting calls from feel badly that they are disturbing me..............nah.

Anyway.....are any of you getting more of these unwanted calls than usual or has my phone number been put up on a billboard somewhere..........

Sound off.....

I wasn't going to bore you with this, but then got to thinking.....I'll just bet there are a lot of people out there that feel exactly the same way I do about this. Let's see.

I had noticed a certain toll-free number on my caller I.D. a LOT. Sometimes twice in one day. Yet no message was ever left on my answering machine. A few times I was here but I won't answer toll free calls or unlisted or 'caller unknown' so left it to go into the machine only to hear a "click". Then I became curious. Who in the hell is trying so hard to get ahold of me, yet won't leave a message. I made up my mind to answer it next time I got one.....I knew I wouldn't have to wait long.

A few days ago, I received one. When the phone rang, I nearly killed myself to get to it so I could see who was calling. Yep, there it was, same toll-free number. I answered it on the third ring only to be disconnected. That did not set well with me. The next day I received another one and again could not make it until the third ring and was again disconnected. My curiosity was killing me, I must admit....although I was fairly certain it had to be a solicitor. I wanted to answer it for no other reason than to tell them off. How fast do they think an old lady can move, for cryin' out loud.

Yesterday I received one and this time I was right by the phone and got it on the first ring. The wind was blown out of my sails when she announced that she was from "(I'll hold back the name)" Well, I certainly could not tell her off....not a charity, although a lot of them have overstepped their bounds on some occasions. I did not tell her off but was rather curt. I have never given to this particular charity. Matter of fact, I'll tell you that I do not give to charities unless they are non-profit. I want 100% of the donations to go to the cause; I'm not paying someone's wages. I'm sorry, but that's how I feel. Check out what some of these executives of certain charities obtain in wages and you'll see why.

Anyway, she was quick to say that she wasn't asking for a donation. The scenario here is that they send you 20 informative brochures, donation cards and envelopes. You are supposed to stuff these, put postage on them and then TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR FRIENDSHIPS by sending these to all your friends and neighbors. It further irritated me that she had my name and address. I hate it that we no longer have privacy. They have you in a fail-fail situation here. I would LOVE to know what IDIOT came up with this hair-brained idea. First of all, that's a lot of work. Secondly, when your "friends" receive these, they are ticked off for sure because now they have to send money or look bad in the eyes of the whole neighborhood. They don't even want to get around you for fear you may ask them if they've sent anything in yet (and they haven't). This is a HORRIBLE idea. I was quick to tell her that No, I do not participate in anything like that, thank you very much, have a nice evening.

I get so much more out of buying a winter coat for a child, or being a secret Santa for a family or saving the lives of 20 dogs and cats. How about you?

My horns were out.....

Peaceful evening at home. Supper is finished, dishes are done. Settling back with a good book.........

Brinnnng

Me: Hello

Phone: (recorded announcement) This is your final and very last chance to make sure your vehicle is covered under warranty. We have made several attempts to contact you....DON'T DELAY...your warranty is about to expire. Press 1 now to be connected to one of our trained warranty specialists.

Me: (pressing 1)

Phone: This is Jennifer...please give me the year and make of your vehicle.

Me: Jennifer, I think there's been some mistake. My vehicle is 16 years old.

Phone: 'click'

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Earlier today: One of the strangest calls I've ever received.

Brinnnng

Me: Hello

Phone: Recorded announcement. "If you were expecting a call from eBay, press the pound sign now"

Me: hanging up.

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I would just like to know one thing. Whatever happened to the "Do not call" list. I don't think its working. It seems like the loophole for exemptions has gotten bigger and bigger. Just sayin'.......

Arro? Ez dez de reddie ah de ouz.....

(Title Translation: Hello? Is this the lady of the house?) My phone rings and interrupts me doing something important like napping, reading or tweezing my chin hairs. Its bad enough that it’s a solicitor but it adds insult to injury that it’s a solicitor from my power company who, of course, has to have my phone number on file and is exempt from the “DO NOT CALL” list. That this solicitor is OBVIOUSLY a foreigner who has a VERY strong accent only puts the cherry on top of it all. Now I have nothing against foreigners and I am happy that this woman has a job, but wouldn’t you THINK that a company as large as a power company, for crying out loud, would have enough positions open for her to work in a capacity that DOESN’T require her to call customers on the phone and try to sell a service? I could only understand about every sixth word this woman had to say. I kept saying “excuse me”, “pardon me” and “would you repeat that”….until finally, my patience nearly gone, I just said, “I’m sorry I cannot understand what you’re saying”, then she said something else and I said, “Oh, I already have that, good-bye”. I just hate being unnecessarily rude and try hard not to be. After all, its not her fault they are making her do this crappy job.

Yes, we are a melting pot. Yes, its wonderful this lady is working and not tapping our welfare system. I give her big hugs for that. But, CORPORATE AMERICA….use some common sense here. Why would you put someone who has such a strong accent in telephone SALES or in TECHNICAL SUPPORT (which justifies a whole other future blog entry of its own)?? What is WRONG with this picture? I’m sure we have an ABUNDANCE of people available for work that can speak English just fine and can, therefore, be understood. And, on the other side of the coin…just imagine how SHE must feel at the end of the day….after having repeated her sales pitch over and over again only for the sole reason that she can’t be understood. It must surely be as frustrating for her as it is for the ones on the receiving end. I bet she drives home in tears every night and just hates her job! Is it just me? Am I turning into a cranky bitch? Are people in upper management the blooming idiots I think they are? My male hormones are jumping around giving each other high fives about now. Lord a mercy. I’m shaking my head again.

There! I’m off my soap box now. Sorry if I offended anyone but you know its true.