Today I was mean!
Telemarketers can be fun. I try and be understanding and stuff when they call because I know they get chewed out from time to time and so I try to be nice as I say no. Yes, sometimes I play with their minds by answering the phone in a weird accent or something, but still I try to be nice.
Today was different.
(A little background)
Over the last few weeks I have been getting calls on my cell phone from 727-683-1126. I did not know where this was so I google'd the number. I found several references to the number, all of them very negative about their experiences with the company that used the number. "That is interesting" I thought. Today I had my chance to find out first hand.
(The Event)
They finally called when I was around and I had the chance to talk to a young man named Alex. Alex wanted to tell me that I had won a $100 gas card, $400 in airline vouchers and some other odds and ends. And you guessed it, they just needed the name of my bank to verify that I was the person they had called (try and understand that one?).
That was fine and I would have been OK if he had allowed me to say that I did not want to give out my bank information. I probably would have been fine if he had merely done what salesmen are trained to do and try and talk me out of my decision. However, that is not all he did. Rather, he started to tell me in a loud voice that I was just being over protective and a jerk (in so many words). That all he wanted was the name of my bank and that he was not asking for my SSN or anything.
After trying to tell him in a calm voice several times that I did not want to give him my bank name, and just getting yelled at, I did it!!! I really for reals did it!!!
(Now the reader must understand at this point that I do not like to make waves. That is most likely one of my greatest faults, I don't like to speak up if it will make waves or cause someone displeasure/discomfort, even if I should.)
So anyway, I really said it, "Is your manager there!?"
I then went on to explain to the manager that I did not feel as if Alex had treated me as a costumer should be treated. I was removed from their phone list and that was that.
Now the only question I have is this. Is it wrong, after someone has called you (on your cell phone I might add) and yelled at you for not giving out your bank info, is it wrong to feel good about reporting them to their manager?
Today was different.
(A little background)
Over the last few weeks I have been getting calls on my cell phone from 727-683-1126. I did not know where this was so I google'd the number. I found several references to the number, all of them very negative about their experiences with the company that used the number. "That is interesting" I thought. Today I had my chance to find out first hand.
(The Event)
They finally called when I was around and I had the chance to talk to a young man named Alex. Alex wanted to tell me that I had won a $100 gas card, $400 in airline vouchers and some other odds and ends. And you guessed it, they just needed the name of my bank to verify that I was the person they had called (try and understand that one?).
That was fine and I would have been OK if he had allowed me to say that I did not want to give out my bank information. I probably would have been fine if he had merely done what salesmen are trained to do and try and talk me out of my decision. However, that is not all he did. Rather, he started to tell me in a loud voice that I was just being over protective and a jerk (in so many words). That all he wanted was the name of my bank and that he was not asking for my SSN or anything.
After trying to tell him in a calm voice several times that I did not want to give him my bank name, and just getting yelled at, I did it!!! I really for reals did it!!!
(Now the reader must understand at this point that I do not like to make waves. That is most likely one of my greatest faults, I don't like to speak up if it will make waves or cause someone displeasure/discomfort, even if I should.)
So anyway, I really said it, "Is your manager there!?"
I then went on to explain to the manager that I did not feel as if Alex had treated me as a costumer should be treated. I was removed from their phone list and that was that.
Now the only question I have is this. Is it wrong, after someone has called you (on your cell phone I might add) and yelled at you for not giving out your bank info, is it wrong to feel good about reporting them to their manager?
Comments
I had a lot of fun with one of those calls once. This particular scammer was extremely polite, courteous, and all things wonderful, and I played along with him for nearly an hour, innocently asking questions, forcing him to expand his story on the spot.
He was calling from Consumer Reports, which apparently controls every single shopping mall, gas station, or grocery store in the world. They were promoting a new product (he wouldn't tell me what product, exactly, but no matter) and because of all the purchases I'd made at shopping malls, gas stations, and grocery stores, they were giving me $500 worth of coupons which could be used at any shopping mall, gas station, or grocery store. And I only had to pay $5 for shipping. They were very conscientious about security, and so they would only do this transaction in the most secure method possible--through an automatic transfer from my checking account. All I had to do was give him my account number and deduct a $5 debit from my check register.
When I suggested that I'd be glad to mail in a $5 money order, he was extremely patient in explaining to me how very dangerous that would be... why, those coupons are so very, very valuable that someone might intercept the mail, and steal my money order so that they could get the coupons instead. No, they had my security firmly in mind. An automatic transfer from my checking account was the only safe way to do it.
And then, when I finally hung up...
he actually called me back again!
I was in absolute stitches for a very long time. =)
I was once a solicitor for BIOLA to the alumni, and found that as long as you are nice, people are nice right back. Just enjoy your job, or at least make the best out of the situation.
Long story short, you did the right thing. (Insert pat on back here)