I usually moniter caller ID and NEVER, EVER answer if I have an inkling it's off-the-wall sales people.
This Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving day, a tornado had just hit within 200 yards of my home, doing some damage in my 'hood, and demolishing several homes between here and Atuagaville, 20 miles out, which eventually took us an hour to drive thru because of the debri.
Electricity was out everywhere and I had just plugged in a regular phone. I was getting stuff together to get on the road to get Em' to her Dad's for the holiday, some 21/2 hours away.
So when the phone rang with no caller ID anyway, I assumed it was someone callin' about the weather, or our trip.
And, it was Pitney-Bowes.
I politely tried to explain I was leaving town for the holidays.
They politely asked for 2 minutes.
I tried to explain rudely. I exploited the weather, explaining that we had just been in a tornado and had no power and we were emotionally devasted, so could'nt they call another time???!
WHY I DID'NT hang up with no thought or concern for the person or tape recording on the other line, as I have done each and every single time before, is beyond me . . .except . . . they were so darn POLITE.
Even after I was being mock 'rude and hateful', angrily accusing them of severe scamming and hidden 'catches'..they were persistently polite.
ACK.
Somehow, the young lady and man (they called in reinforcement..I explained how suspicious I am . ...how I never EVER buy over the phone....) they somehow convinced ME, I needed my very own, personal postal machine complete with a FREE 90 day trial, and airline tickets, even if I return the machine.
I said I did'nt have room for another machine in my office.
They said it was very small and convenient.
In all actuality, I wanted the airline tickets.... But I was'nt sure I could operate a postal machine. I envisioned books and hours punching buttons and 'looking' things up, calling and holding for tech support.
They calmly, gently quelled all my fears entirely. There's only one page of directions . .. step 1, step 2 . . . . .
After the 90 days, I totally can return it or I can 'rent' this machine for $19 a month. No catches...and I can use the airlne tickets for up to a year.
These people are good.
I 'bought' $30 of postage, got a confirmation number and awaited the arrival of my new postage machine within 10 days.
So . . .now, not quite 60 days since I recieved and activated my personal postage machine . . .and it is kind'a cool to 'stamp' your own mail . . . I STILL have $11.32 to use up.
This even after the once-a-year large amount of mail I sent in December...32 Christmas cards.
Obviously, it don't take a rocket scientist to fig'ger out that it does NOT create profit to pay $19 a month for the privilege of marking my own $10 worth of mail, which usually contains more money being sent off to pay bills . . . .
I can pick up a book of stamps at the grocery store.
My daughter's gonna use the airline tickets to come see me.
Pitney-Bowes is getting their machine back.
If I accidently answer a soliciters call, I'm reinforcing my 'hang up' policy.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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They talked my husband into it once while he was looking after the office, but I called back and demanded they cancel the deal. I had to use the rude/threatening/mad mode, and the lost some of their politeness..but finally complied.
Not too long after that they tried again, and I know what you mean, they're VERY persistent! To hang up is indeed the best thing to do.
posted
The thing is . . .this actually IS a good deal for anyone who uses mabey $100 a month or MORE in postage.
But WHO across the board and on average, is that??
You can even get a plain scale, weigh packages and stamp your own stickers for packages.
My daughter tells me even with the large amount of mailing they do in her (CPA) office in Dallas no less, the $19 machine rental was too much..they complained and got it down to $10!
At the rate I mail...I would be happy and it would be feasible to keep the machine, if they reduce my monthly rent to . . .oh say...$1.
LOL
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
I do care how polite they are but after the 2nd or 3rd "NO Thanks" I just hang up. I know I either can't afford it or just don't want or need it and if they can't get that through their skull after the polite "no thanks" then they have wasted to much of my time and "click" I hate to be rude but...
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
posted
I hope its not just me who realizes that they can pay just about every bill your home or business receives from either your telephone or computer.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
When you send it back be sure to get a delivery reciept of some kind..
registered mail UPS signature etc..
Our neighbor just went thru all this and it took several months to get rid of it and the cc payments..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Deb has a neat way of dealing with these people...she politely asks for the name of the accounts payable person, and explains that since they are calling during business hours, and our shop rate is $70.00/hr, they can talk as long as they want and she will send them the invoice..There is no need to hang up...they do it for you! MUR
-------------------- Murray MacDonald OldTime Signs 529 Third Ave S Kenora, ON. P9N 1Y3 oldtimesigns@gokenora.com Posts: 781 | From: Kenora, ON | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Jeez this is so simple to do it's not even funny.
Whatever their schpiel, just say "No thanks Im not interested but have a nice day/evening." then hang up without giving them the opportunity to say anything else.
One time I got into a battle of wits with a solicitor and it got to the point he was spouting off his lines and I was like a 4 year old throwing a tantrum: "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" constantly, like every half second. He never stopped. When I started screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and realized he was still goin too, I conceded and just hung up the phone on him.
There have also been times I just set the phone down on the kitchen counter and walk away... make obnoxious sounds and rude odors..
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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"Are you aware this number is on the state and federal do-not-call lists and you are now in violation of those laws. Could I please have your full name, company name, address, phone number so I can forward that information to the proper authorities?"
I've never got more than a "I'm sorry" click.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Hello???////,, Is the owner or manager in charge of XXXXXXXXXXXXXX in... CLICK>>>
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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