March 8, 2008
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Who knew there were so many telemarketers on Xanga?
WHO KNEW THERE WERE SO MANY TELEMARKETERS ON XANGA?
Based on the feedback I got from telemarketers on my last post about telemarketers, I am the biggest dick in all of Xangland.
Just to be clear, they don’t think I have the biggest dick, they think I am the biggest dick.
So before I go on, please allow me to state for the record that I now believe that all telemarketers are imbued with the reincarnated spirit of Mother Teresa, that they are essential to the survival of our planet, and that they smell like Honeysuckle after a summer rain.
I also have begun to live by the words of the ancient Chinese philosopher How-my Phone-ring who said; “Ignorant and slothful is the man who turns down the offer for a free siding appraisal.”
Don’t believe they think I’m a dick? Allow me to quote from some of the responses I received:
“Wow…You are a dick. Why don’t you try being a little more patient? …Oh yeah, and please don’t have kids. If you already have kids, God help them.”
“I take offense to everything you have said in this post. I myself am a telemarketer. I am a human being. I am not vile, nor am I a scum-sucking leech, residing at the Mariana Trench level on the scale of basic decency…If you would rather pay my tuition so that I don’t call and “annoy” you, I will gladly accept… Otherwise, I would appreciate you not acting so offensively next time.”
“Be nice. There are people who have died and now reside in the 7th circle of hell, and their crimes were being mean to telemarketers, so now they must spend eternity making cold calls. Learn from this.”
“Hey Dude, I’m a telemarketer and I think I should let you know that it might not be wise to open any packages that are left on your front porch for the foreseeable future.”
Ok, I made up that last quote, but it’s apparent that I offended a lot of people, and that really wasn’t my intention.
I don’t object to telemarketers as people. I’m sure there are many wonderful people in the telemarketing profession, but I do object to the industry as a whole. I feel very strongly that unless you know me personally, calling my home to try and sell me something is a violation of my privacy and is ethically wrong. And my opinion about that isn’t going to change.
With that being said…to all of the telemarketers out there that I offended, please accept my apology…
…and please stop leaving death threats on my answering machine.
Comments (21)
Well, I was behind ya all the way man! (It helps to have a big dude up front catching all the rotten vegetables!) Telemarketing is just not a legitimate line of work. Bottom line. Sorry if you took alot of carp, you didn’t deserve it. Very entertaining post.
Having spent three glorious days in 1969 as a telemarketer, I can say from experience that we were, as you suggested, “vile, sub-human scum-sucking leeches.” But that was 1969. Perhaps today’s telemarketers are more decent than we were in the golden age of telemarketing. I wouldn’t know. Now I’m on the “do not call” list.
I totally agree with you….the whole industry is just wrong. If I want something, I will seek it out. I don’t appreciate someone interrupting my dinner to try to sell me something. And now they call on Sundays, which really annoys me. Is it too much to ask for just one telemarketer-free day! And don’t even get me started on spam! As a woman I don’t need any penis enlargement products.
LOL, okay, that was funny
especially your made up quote
had me scared for you a little bit
but yes, the telemarketing industry needs to go away
i think the general public doesn’t like it
so i have no idea why they’re still around
take my name off your list and don’t ever call me again…actually leave your name and number and I’ll call you back on my lunch hour – I work the midnight shift!!!
If they are going to pay for my phone line, then they can advertise to me. Thats how it works on my television. If they are not paying for it, then they need to keep my line clear for people I really want to talk to. Telemarketers need to find a new way to advertise their wares. They are as bad as popups on the internet or spamware. I would never give any of these methods my business. Ever.
Man, I thought your post was perfect! However, I was shocked by all of the people who claimed to work in the field there giving you grief about it. You’re right — who knew so many were on Xanga? It’s a little disturbing. I know one thing: I will NEVER, EVER purchase anything from anyone calling me on my dime at my home. End of story.
I was never a telemarketer, but like Doah I made my living on the phone for three days once. (NO, not THAT kind of phone work!) I made “market research” calls for ATT, in which I called unsuspecting subjects and asked them probing questions about their last experience with an ATT operator. (Hm, maybe it was THAT kind of work after all.) In case I called someone who didn’t speak English, I had to memorize the Spanish phrase for “I’m sorry, I don’t speak Spanish. Someone who does speak Spanish will call and ask you these fool questions at another time. Adios.”
HEY! Those people were MEAN to you! Just goes to show, Telemarketers really suck!
I WAS a telemarketer for three years. I was Married to a telemarketer for three years.
Trust me, they are the scum of the earth.
Cheers.
Telemarketing, because it has the hightech ring of “tele-” along with the semi-professional sounding “marketing” may have some people confused into thinking that this kind of work is a real career. And when you come along any break down this illusion, you’ve got to be prepared for the consequences.
WOW….who knew so many toes would be stepped on? lol…I suppose if they would hang up the FIRST time you tell them you aren’t interested, we wouldn’t think so poorly of them!
Hahaha wow. I used to be a telemarketer (I’m not proud of it) but I still thought your featured post was funny. Who knew people would be that sensitive?
I too dabbled in the telemarketing thing. It lasted 3 whole hours and I realized I couldn’t do it. It sucked so badly.
The thing that continues to amaze me is that it works. It must or they’d quit doing it right? The responses from the hypersensative souls that flamed you apparently didn’t read your post very carefully. It’s clearly the intrusion into your life you hate, not the people themselves.
Now they are calling on the cell phones! It was bad enough when they interupted dinner. I have to turn off my cell so I don’t get charged for the call. It is my dime after all. If I don’t recognize the number I delete the message. But I’m not addicted to my cell, I never text, and I don’t have it hooked up to the internet. So it hasn’t been a big issue. I hope the lifetime “do not call” list will include cell numbers – one reason we haven’t switcher to Voip.
I can’t comment… I’m laughing too hard.
Telemarketers…. you gotta lighten up!
What, like telemarketers are surprised that they’re unloved and unappreciated? Maybe, just for their benefit, we should start a national “Answer the phone and talk to any Yahoo who can dial your number” day.
But I will give the telemarketers props for this: They’re better than people who actually come to the house to peddle worthless crap.
I think I am on a no-call list for a very good reason!
I have to say, though, that since charities are exempt, I get calls from them quite often. One, which drives me nuts, refuses to take me off their list, and I will never give them a nickel.
Kathi
Seriously who knew so many people who be pissed… I’m hoping that a couple of them were sarcasm that just can’t be picked up on via internet…
It’s not like they can really call you up they don’t know your full name… er… uh wait…
“Wow…You are a dick. Why don’t you try being a little more patient? …Oh yeah, and please don’t have kids. If you already have kids, God help them.”
Bwahahahahaha. I’m pretty sure this one is right on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCrovnNGdSg&NR=1