I just hate it when a telephone solicitor calls me by my first name....

[FlamingoBlue]

It's bad enough that telephone solicitors call me at all, but when they speak to me, they refer to me by my first name rather than Mr. blue. (Today, alone, I received 6 calls like that). It's not that I don't believe in informality, but, I like to feel that I should be asked first before someone that I don't know refers to me by my first name.

It is my practice to always refer to people by their surnames unless I am given permission to do otherwise. Maybe this is a generational thing, but that's what I was taught and that's what I taught my children. I think it's a matter of common courtesy.

It isn't only telephone solicitors who do this. The first name thing seems to be pervasive in most of the businesses where you are asked to give your name when calling to speak to another person or when calling a large business to ask a question. It is not professional nor is it respectful. Who trains these people??

Btw, everyone here can refer to me simply as blue. I'm very comfortable with that.

blue

 

[DriveSouth]

I just Hate it -

When they call me...

 

[foxysal]

?

 

[MidnightAngel]

What's just as bad is when they call me Mrs. ____, and can't pronounce my last name!

Especially the ones who go on about this thing or that offer that was made/offered/etc *just* for me. Excuse me....if you went to all that bother, you should have figured out how to pronounce my name first!

{This rant courtesy of one who's had 2 last names that no one can say correctly! }

 

[KillerMuffin]

I know what you mean, F.B., but I'll do you one better. My first name is a feminized version of a man's name. It's a traditional one, but mispelled. People call me by the man's name, particularly telemarketers. *sighs* But every male in the house has the same name so when they call and ask to speak to my husband I hand the phone to my son. He likes talking to telemarketers. They get to hear all about dinosaurs and sharks while trying to get his mommy back on the phone. Hysterical.

Sorry if that was you Nevvykins, but you should know better than to call me a man's name.

 

[lilfrk]

The joys of having a name no one can seem to say, even if it is only 6 letters. If they call and say it wrong...Nope I'm sorry you have the wrong number. Click

If they call and get it right ...Nope I'm sorry I'm just the mistress I'm not allowed to make those decisions. Click

 

[daughter]

It's bad enough that telephone solicitors call me at all, but when they speak to me, they refer to me by my first name rather It isn't only telephone solicitors who do this. The first name thing seems to be pervasive in most of the businesses where you are asked to give your name when calling to speak to another person or when calling a large business to ask a question. It is not professional nor is it respectful. Who trains these people??

Blue--

I was a telemarketer, a snobby one no less. LOL I never called people by their first name, and I believed in being as professional and dignified as a solictor could be. It is rude to assume familiarity with someone you do not know. I resent it as well.

I am a professional, and it also rubs me wrong when someone answers the phone or otherwise address me by my first name only. I have clients that I have known for years. I do not call any of them by their first name even though we are on very good terms. Some have insisted on first name basis. In those cases, I drop the formality.

I cringe when people respond, "This is her.". ARggggggggggggg. I am less impressed when folks fail to say "Please" or "Thank you" after speaking with me.

And somebody explain to me why customer service people fail to reiterate the problem to confirm they understand the situation?

Blue, politely refuse the call and hang up.

Peace

daughter

 

[roxie]

telemarketers.....

The first name thing is part of the training, its supposed to be a psychological tool to make you want to be 'friends' with the caller so that you find it harder to say no to their proposition.

This is so true, I just had a telemarketer call me tonight calling me by my first name and telling me that I had been approved for a credit card and they just had to verify my checking account info. I started asking questions and the guy had to actually look up a few answers in his script. But then he flubbed and forgot my name so I introduced myself as Mrs. ______ So then he starts talking about the weather and asking me how I am and whatever. All of a sudden I had this urge and followed thru on it. I asked him what the last thing he heard was. Then I hung up. These people crack me up.
Of course it just reminds me when I too was a telemarketer for a well known vacuum company. I quit when they started handing out phone books and telling us to go thru the book and set up appts. They changed the script to us telling people that they actually won a carpet cleaning and when could I set up the appt? Of course the guy just shows up and cleans a 3x5 piece of carpet and then pitches the vacuum. I never went back. Of course I still work with the public but now I just get paid to stand there looking pretty and pushing buttons.

 

[Rubyfruit]

Re: Re: I just hate it when a telephone solicitor calls me by my first name....

Blue, politely refuse the call and hang up.

daughter,

If you used to work as a solicitor, then you know there is no way to politely refuse the call. A simple, "I am not interested," is met with another round of sales pitches.

I've given up trying to be polite to telemarketers. I simply hang up now.

 

[1sexylady]

I hate telephone soliciitors...........

they are the most annoying people on this earth......I slam the phone on them all the time..........

 

[Bindii]

Dont get mad with telemarketers - get even.
I found this on the web somewhere.

Ten ways to terrorize a telemarketer!


10. When they ask "How are you today?" Tell them! "I'm so glad you asked because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems; my arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died..."

9. If they say they're John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located. Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as long as necessary.

8. Cry out in surprise, "Judy! Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?" Hopefully, this will give Judy a few brief moments of pause as she tries to figure out where she could know you from.

7. If MCI calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends Plan, reply, in as SINISTER a voice as you can, "I don't have any friends... would you be my friend?"

6. If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.

5. Tell the telemarketer you are on "home incarceration", and ask if they could bring you a case of beer and some chips.

4. After the telemarketer gives their spiel, ask him/her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you could not just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.

3. Tell the telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask them if they will give you their HOME phone number so you can call them back. When the telemarketer explains that they cannot give out their HOME number, you say, "I guess you don't want anyone bothering you at home, right?" The telemarketer will agree and you say, "Now you know how I feel!" Say goodbye - and hang up. (Seinfeld)

2. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. "Come on Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how's your momma?"

1. Tell them to talk VERY SLOWLY, because you want to write down EVERY WORD.

 

[Dynamite]

Hate it!

They get my last name wrong too.

When I try to be nice and say no thanks, they continue anyway.

When they call Unavailable or Blocked on the caller i.d. I get this from the local newspaper.

During a good movie or program.

Good reason to stay on line. They can't bother you as much. (Ha, ha!)

 

[Ice Cold]

I just do it the simple way, when I don't know who the person is. I say I'm not home. That the people they are looking for are out right now and I don't know when they will be back. Hell sometimes I tell them they are on vacation.

Cuts down on the calls drastically.

 

[Lusciousladyf]

Telemarketers

Blue,

I agree with you 100%!! I was raised with what must be termed these days as "old fashioned" values and respect. So many of today's youth have no common courtesy and respect! I look to the parents for that one. I have raised my kids the "old fashioned" way..and you know what? People are simply amazed, shocked, and almost speechless when my kids address them "formally"!!

Loved your idea KillerMuffin...I will have to put one of my kids on the phone next time.

Thanks for the great ideas too Bindii...I can't wait to try some of these out

Many years ago, I tried telemarketing for a portrait studio. I called people and used some of the tactics that have been mentioned...but I failed miserably. I only lasted 3 days!! I didn't believe in the product...I would never have paid those outrageous prices either, I refused to address them informally, when they said no, I actually hung up!!! I have never been proud to fail at something as I have this!!