Ring ring

[threemonkeys]

I talked to a telemarketer today and actually accepted their offer to come around to quote. *pauses while gillpolack recovers from shock*

There was a reason. She got the name of the company out in the first few words and I realised that it was somebody that I have been planning to talk to anyway - I had got as far as finding their street address to call on them. That gave me pause and so while I was gathering the mental resources to say "I was interested until you invaded my home with your call" she continued with the spiel. She screwed it up - making mistakes and stumbling over her words and cheerfully apologising. So I felt a bit of sympathy for her and because I was interested in the product anyway I continued the conversation.

But I am suspicious. Is this a new tactic? By being incompetent was she making a deliberate attempt to gain my sympathy and so give her a hearing? Has anybody noticed this - is cheery muddling replacing "how are you today sir"?

Comments

[stephen-dedman.livejournal.com]

Not speaking from personal experience here, but a friend of mine once bought something from a telemarketer because he misread the script and promised her she'd go into the draw to win a Ford Exploder.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Heh :-)

Mind you, I would have translated that internally - I always call them that.

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

Since you had an interest in the product anyway, I'll forgive you :).

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Although I still feel a bit dirty after the experience.

[littenz.livejournal.com]

I've not noticed any misspeaking by cold callers to me.

I changed toll operators because a cold caller got me at a receptive moment.

To get over that dirty feeling keep remembering you were going to call them; they struck while your iron was hot.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but I just don't like reinforcing the behavior even if it does fit my needs.

[russellk.livejournal.com]

And every person who responds positively to telemarketers encourages them to try my number. If one rings tonight, I'll know *exactly* who to blame.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

*looks nervous*
*checks yellow pages*
Oh dear, they do have a branch in the Waikato. Perhaps it wouldn't be a good idea to answer your phone then. |-}