I don't do business with the door-to-door students selling magazines. I did at one time because I figured they were just trying to pay for school. I know the magazines they sell are more expensive, but I figured I'd help.

Then I found that many of them aren't going to school at all. And finally, I get my few magazines on my iPad now.

If what I think is a legitimate telemarketer calling (and it is hard to make that judgement in the first few seconds) I simply say "I have a strict policy not to respond to unsolicited calls, please take me off your list." Then I hang up even if they are still talking.

I know the caller is just trying to make a living, and probably hates the job as much as I hate the call. And since time is money to a salesperson, getting me off the phone quickly helps them out. I'm not buying anyway.

The telemarketing company is a problem, but the employee might have taken the job in desperation, not able to find anything else.

If I think it's a cracker, (grandpa is that you?) I'll just hang up. If I need a question or two to determine if it's real or not, as soon as I figure it's false I hang up with no explanation.

I have the attitude, that every unsolicited call from a stranger is an attempt to take money from me, whether a legitimate sales call or a thief - unless they prove otherwise.

Notes

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

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