Telemarketers <sigh>

[Micky]

Not as good as shooting them, but it's something. Let us know.

[Andy]

Unfortunately, Nomorobo is not available on traditional analog landlines or wireless phones at this time.

[Doug Miller]

Uncle Monster wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Sort of along those lines... having worked for a number of years with a deaf man, I managed to learn sign language fairly well -- which enabled me to get rid of a panhandler quickly and easily by signing to him, I'm sorry, I can't hear you, I'm deaf (which involves, among other things, pointing at one's ear). My deaf friend thought it was hilarious when I told him about it.

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Don Y:

Standup comic I heard once said "When a telephone solicitor calls, I tell them that I have lost my job, my wife left me, the dog died, the house is being foreclosed, my 13-year-old son is on drugs, my

12-year-old daughter is pregnant...... and *they* hang up on *me*....

[Don Y]

Do you carry a white cane to make it easier to cross streets in a leisurely fashion? :>

We had a deaf couple across the street some years ago. Very "disturbing" to engage in conversation -- having to talk to someone *else* ("interpreter") to communicate with the actual party of interest. It's *hard* not to look at the person that *seems* to be responding to you and look at someone else, instead -- who has their attention fixed on that other person!

But, I learned (quickly!) that it's almost an affront to NOT look at the deaf party and learn to ignore the "voice in your ear" -- unless you need to converse with that person, directly.

[I can finger-spell, grade 1 braille, etc. but never invested the effort to truly learn ASL -- or G2 braille. "Just enough" to let me convey short messages...]

[Don Y]

Start into a spiel as if *you* were calling them: "Hi, I'd like to tell you about an exciting new offer that you've been specially selected to receive -- but, only if you act promptly! Get out your credit card and be ready to provide me with the card number when I ask. OK? Here we go..."

[Arnie Goetchius]

PhoneTray lets you record anything you want such as the above message into a .WAV file and it will play when the phone rings. You can also record different WAV files and play them to individual incoming calls depending on the calling number.

[Don Y]

The above needs to be interactive. When the telemarketer stumbles, you need to be able to *push* hard with your spiel -- put him back on his heels, on the defensive. By being aggressive and ACTING like you truly ARE the "caller" -- so he's left confused when he hangs up on YOU, The Telemarketer.

E.g., when he tries to assert that he's the caller, you can reply: "Huh? What number have I reached?? Isn't this 555-1324?" ... "Oh, gee, I'm sorry. But, hey, would *you* like to take us up on this exciting offer...?"

[Stormin Mormon]

When people call and ask to talk to Christopher, I usually tell them he was fired for theft, and we've not found a replacement. I'm Bob from the temp agency. Either that, or he died in a plane crash over Brazil.

[KenK]

Rocinante wrote in news:1pu4sth9ttoon.1wzypnw98e5j6$. [e-mail]:

Is this like the Panasonic answering machine phone (phones?) combination I've seen in Walmart for about $130?

[KenK]

Lane wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Sounds good! Anyone else try this one?

[KenK]

Muggles wrote in news:nass50$6tl$ [e-mail]:

I can't get to a menu when I go to a number on my list. Will have to play with it some more. Unfortunately, I suspect my carrier (Tracfone) or cell (LG) do not support this. If I start getting these calls I'll probably have to do some Googling or emailing concerning blocking.

[KenK]

[e-mail] wrote in news: [e-mail]:

How do you do that? You need a special phone? My answering machine announces the caller ID after the first ring, but if they hang up without leaving a message the caller ID is then gone. The answering machine is the only way I know to get the ID. Up until a few years ago I never got telemarketing calls so there was no need. Even now, I only get three or four calls a day I'm aware of.

[gfretwell]

I have a "caller ID" box that saves the numbers but so does my Dish box and that is the one I use.

[Muggles]

Ok. Well, I guess you can only do what your phone allows.

[Arnie Goetchius]

=========snipped=======================

I have TracFone and LG34 and use Advanced Call Blocker for that phone. It is $1.99 but some times on sale for $.99

[Moe DeLoughan]

So he identified himself as a crook, not a reputable businessperson. The DNC works with reputable businesses. The fact that they are breaking the law will tell you all you need to know about them.

God, this never-ending bitchfest about crooks ignoring the DNC is exactly like people whining that they posted No Trespassing signs on their property and some people trespassed anyway.

[Micky]

It may not be displayed anymore, but there are many devices that keep a list of every caller-id that has called, message or not. Some have a limit of 50, or 100.

This one is new for only $7.50. It requires batteries and it doesn't say much about it. Don't buy this one.

This one has a lot more buttons, 18 instead of 6, for only $15. That's less than a dollar a button. BELLSOUTH CALLER ID CALL WAITING DELUXE,VOICE MAIL, & MORE FUNCTIONS CI-7112 NEW

Emerson EM60 Jumbo Talking Caller ID with Red Ringer Light

Only 4 or 5 buttons (the pictures don't agree) but it does have review.

[lottosue]

Ken I have CPR Callblocker also from Amazon. It's great. It was easy to install, I got it right the first try. It's easy to block calls and unblock them also.

[KenK]

[e-mail] wrote in news: [e-mail]:

I've read some reviews on it. Several talk about marking numbers to block by pressing Block button when you answer the calls. I don't answer them. Most hang up on my answering machine. I wouldn't talk to them anyhow. Reviews also said the numbers can be typed in manually.

Another blocker I tried, the Pro Call Blocker, automatically saved all calling numbers. Then you could block or delete them. That is what I hoped CPR does.

Make any sense?