Telemarketers

My cell phone number also happens to be my business number... The number on my business cards ... The number that is publicly available to every business known to man and to every country all over the world. With that said ... I realize that I shouldn't be surprised at the amount of telemarketing calls that I get since simply having a business number is like an open invitation to anyone attempting to sell me something, get me to sign up for something or wanting to share some valuable information with me. I would say that I probably get about 20 calls a week ... And by the accent of the caller... I would say that it's evenly split between India and the Philippines. I find it hysterical that their names are Bob and Mary and Joe and Sam ... Because we all know that they're not. They are generally friendly and courteous ... for the most part ... working hard from very far away in another time zone ... almost always reading from a script. Sometimes I indulge their inquiries and sit for a while and answer questions ... Sometimes I just say no thank  - you have a nice day and hang up. It's fascinating that these people on the other end of the phone have an uncanny ability to know that you've been;  injured lately, need medical compensation, or have recently applied for a loan or have an inkling to go back to school. The best one is when they want to offer you a free trip with accommodations and maybe even airfare. Then of course they tell you that you have to sit through a "short presentation" - but its not a time share. The reality is that you will have the opportunity to sit through a three or four hour presentation so that they can try to sell you something that's ridiculously overpriced and you probably couldn't afford it anyway.

I have a business that I run out of my home and I am the only employee. So when they insist that I need "their" payroll service is the one I need, or their security system is the one for my business, or that I need their towel service (considered that one for a hot second) ... I just laugh. Half the time they don't believe me that I don't need a payroll service for myself ... like I'm lying.

It's really great when you answer and noone is there. You hear noise and talking in the background ... but noone says hello. I have a 2 second rule. I say hello ... if after 2 seconds ... nothing ... I say goodbye. If you ask to be put on their "do not call list" and they generally hang up. These days , I generally don't answer a number I don't recognize. If someone really wants to talk to me they will leave a message - telemarketers don't. I Google the # and check 2-3 sources. If a verified telemarketer ... I add it to my auto-reject list. What an awesome feature!

Just remember ... Google the number. .. don't call it back ... Some numbers are hacked and you could incur ridiculous charges without knowing it!