Buzz
Telemarketers are often among the most disliked individuals. No one enjoys being interrupted at home by a pushy salesperson attempting to convince you to part with your money over the phone.
It certainly takes a special type of person to thrive in this line of work, as most telemarketers don’t stick around for long. A significant number don't even make it past their first day on the job.
As you might imagine, people aren't exactly thrilled when we call. Having worked as a telemarketer myself for several years, I managed to hang on for a while. Throughout that time, I gathered plenty of insider knowledge about the industry, which I’m excited to share with you.
10. Almost Everything They Say Is Straight From A Script
If you’ve ever had a conversation with a telemarketer, you might have noticed they don’t sound quite like a regular person—they almost come across like a robot. That’s because they’re likely reading everything from a screen. They’re not allowed to deviate from the script, even by a single word.
More often than not, even their replies to your questions are scripted. If you’ve ever wondered why there’s a slight delay in their response, it’s because they’re scrambling to find the right answer on their screen.
To catch a telemarketer off guard, ask them something unusual, like what they had for lunch. It throws them off because they hate answering personal questions. After reading the script repeatedly, they eventually memorize it and can talk without looking at the screen—but it takes a lot of practice.
9. Never Accept The First Offer They Give You
Usually, we have a better deal waiting in the wings. This gives us leverage if you decline the initial offer. Sometimes, we might claim to ‘waive fees’ to make the deal sound more appealing, but in reality, those fees don’t even exist. It’s just a tactic to make it sound good.
It’s always a good idea to stay calm, even if the deal seems tempting. Pretend you’re not interested to see if they lower the price. You might want to reject the first couple of offers to ensure you’re really getting the best deal. Don’t fall for it.
8. They Enjoy Getting A Reaction Out Of You
As mentioned before, it takes a particular type of person to handle the constant stream of insults and curse words we face every day. Those who make it past the initial few days have figured out how to deal with it.
After a while, it’s almost amusing when people lose their tempers. You’d be surprised, but while you’re yelling at us, we’re likely doing everything we can not to burst into laughter. Or we might be calling a friend over to listen in.
As much as it might annoy you, we’ve grown too thick-skinned to let it affect us. We’ve heard it all before. The best thing to do is just hang up.
7. They Handle Your Personal Information Carelessly
Even if you’re looking to make a purchase through a telemarketer, it’s probably not a good idea to give out your credit card number or any other private information. Most of the time, things might go smoothly. But if someone were inclined, they could easily write down your details and take them with them.
I didn’t witness this happening often, but there were a few instances where it did. So it’s always better to be cautious. Sometimes, you may receive a ‘warm call,’ where they already have your details on file. In that case, you're likely fine, but it’s always worth keeping your guard up.
6. They’re Required To Keep Pushing When You Decline
In the world of telemarketing, we call this a 'rebuttal.' We know that if someone isn’t interested in what we’re offering, nothing is likely to change their mind. But we’re required to keep fighting for the sale, or we risk losing our job if we don’t put up a fight.
If you ever encounter a telemarketer who seems overly persistent, just remember they’re only doing their job and are under significant pressure to perform. Management pushes us to boost sales, and if our numbers fall, we could be out of a job in no time.
So, the next time you’re talking to one of us, don’t waste time explaining why you’re not interested. Regardless of what you say, we’re obligated to keep pushing, even if we know it’s a pointless effort.
5. They Know How To Get Back At You If You’re Rude
We may deserve everything you say to us, but if you’re unkind, some of us—especially the more unethical ones—will find ways to make your life a bit harder. Instead of marking you as ‘not interested’ like we’re supposed to, we might schedule a follow-up call later the same day just to annoy you.
Having worked both on the phones and in quality control, I’ve witnessed it all. Many times, you’re dealing with someone who has access to all your personal details and not much to lose. So, think twice before being rude.
I’ve witnessed cases where a telemarketer has boldly charged someone’s credit or debit card for products or services they never wanted, or refused to cancel a service when asked. While it might be tempting to vent at a telemarketer, it’s worth considering whether it’s really worth the hassle.
4. Some Will Do Whatever It Takes To Make A Sale
As mentioned earlier, telemarketers face tremendous pressure to make sales. Many of us earn a low hourly wage and rely heavily on commissions to get by. On top of that, we’re usually given a sales quota that we must hit.
If we fail to meet our quota, we’ll be placed on a 'performance improvement plan' (PIP), where we’re coached and monitored closely for a set period of time. If our numbers don’t improve, we’ll be let go.
Now you understand why we can be so persistent. Some telemarketers will go to any length to secure a sale, even if it means lying to customers just to make them buy. Naturally, this is against company policy, but sometimes our supervisors turn a blind eye because they’re facing the same pressures. Always be cautious and make sure to read the fine print.
3. Most Telemarketers Are Breaking The Law, And You Could Be Entitled To Compensation
Many people are unaware, but telemarketing companies often operate in ways that break laws. There are strict regulations that ban the use of robocalls or autodialers by telemarketers. However, almost every telemarketing company, including the one I worked for, uses autodialers.
Ever noticed a long pause before a telemarketer picks up the phone? That’s a sign they’re probably using an autodialer.
According to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, telemarketers aren’t allowed to call you without your written consent. They’re also forbidden from calling cell phones.
If a telemarketer violates these laws, you’re entitled to compensation ranging from $500 to $1,500 for each unwanted call you receive. This is something they really don’t want you to know. Don’t let your rights be violated.
2. They Target Senior Citizens
Seniors are often a prime target for many sales. It’s disturbing, but it’s akin to a lion hunting a vulnerable antelope. Seniors can easily be tricked into making purchases because they may not always be fully aware of what they’re buying or the consequences of their decision.
Taking advantage of older people is one of the lowest things you can do, but that’s why telemarketers are often referred to as ‘sleazeballs.’ If you’re getting older yourself, or have a loved one who is, keep this in mind. The best advice is always to simply say no and hang up the phone.
Sadly, not everyone you encounter has good intentions. Remember, you don’t owe them any politeness by staying on the line.
1. They Can Keep Calling You (Sort Of) Even If You Ask Them Not To
In the telemarketing world, we have something called the 'DNC list' (or 'Do Not Call Registry'). We really don’t want you to know about this list. To get on it, you have to explicitly request it. Just saying 'don’t call here anymore' won’t work. You need to say the exact phrase 'do not call list,' or we won’t add you to it.
Even if you do ask to be added to the list, we’re still allowed to call you for up to a month. We might tell you it takes time for your name to be removed from the system, but that’s usually a lie.
Actually, asking to be put on the DNC list isn’t the most effective way to stop the calls. A more efficient strategy is to tell telemarketers they’ve reached the wrong number. They’ll mark it down and likely won’t bother you again.
