Sue’s Views: Telemarketers, the bane of my life

We have all been there.  It’s 7.30pm and I have just managed to plop down onto the couch at home. Sinking into the mind-numbing oblivion of repeat programming on DStv, where the only real challenge is to find something I haven’t watched before, I’m rudely brought back to reality by my cell phone ringing.  Scrabbling to locate it I look at the screen, only to be met with a number I don’t recognise…hmmm do I answer? Could it be somebody from work? Could it be an important call? I know I’m going to regret this but I answer…more fool me.

The call goes something like this “Goodeveningit’sMarcelfromgetyourbackupcompanyandIonlyneedtwominutesofyourtime.” At this stage, I’ve only just managed to work out the first part of greeting and my hackles are raised …it’s a dreaded telemarketing call trying to flog me something that they believe I so desperately need. Medical gap cover (don’t get me started on this particular subject) or life insurance that means I’m worth more dead than alive or better still, car dent insurance where I pay for the privilege of somebody else denting my car door.  As for telemarketers touting cell phone packages…. well they are a different breed altogether – tenacious, just like a bull terrier that won’t let go in their resolve to sell you an upgrade or new phone.

ALSO READ:  Four ways to avoid telemarketers and spam

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m normally a sane, polite and well-rounded person but these telemarketing calls that somehow manage to sneak past my screening app (which despite being touted as free is anything but) leave me frothing at the mouth.  What gives these telemarketing companies the right to solicit business using my personal cell number and more importantly, just where did they get their greasy little paws on said number?  If I’m feeling particularly benevolent (depending on what kind of  day I had at work) I simply hit the end call button….done and dusted.

However, sometimes a peculiar rage overtakes common sense and I grit my teeth and set forth for a one on one confrontation with the poor unsuspecting person on the other end of the phone. To be honest this could go round in circles if they are a particularly brave soul and decide to take me on.

Does this help? Ha! After my self-righteous indignation has been spent I feel a little shameful (note just a little) of my actions. But on a more positive note, by keeping them on the phone, I’ve at least made them shell out more than they bargained for on that call – so chalk one up to me!

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