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Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
Telemarketers

I know I said I was going to blog about how SIU & Koke Mill Clinics sucks as a part 2 in my "Companies that Suck" series. However, I've changed my mind. In light of recent events, telemarketers are getting "the blog" today.

Really, is there anything more annoying than a telemarketer? I understand that these people are just trying to do a job. Hey, at least it's sort of an honest living. You know, they aren't out on the streets robbing people or stealing from banks or anything like that. Still, they can be really annoying. And God help the pushy ones, because I don't put up w/ any of that crap.

Here is the latest example:

Last night the phone rang at 8:45 p.m. Dave answered the phone and instantly gave it to me (knowing that I love to deal w/ telemarketers). Last night it was the MSU alumni association calling to "update their records." Oh, & ask for money (of course).

I realize this is my old alma mater, but they seriously call about once a month looking for money. And they always call late at night. Now I also realize that 9 at night is not that late in the grand scheme of things. Heck, to a college student, 9 at night is like 3 in the afternoon. But to those of us w/ toddlers, 9 p.m. is more like 2 in the morning. Everytime they have called I have been as polite as possible (mainly b/c I know it is my old school calling). But last night, I lost it.

The fact that they called again late at night when they had just called a few weeks ago made me completely mad. I told the girl- "I am not going to give MSU a dime- ever. MSU never gave me any money when I went there & as a result I graduated w/ $22,000 in college loans. I am still paying that off & wouldn't even think of giving someone else money for school until those were paid off. And even then, I'm not giving MSU anything. I have a son now. I'm not going to pay for someone to go to school that I don't even know when I have to start thinking about saving for his college education." She thanked me & quickly got off the phone.

Sorry, I know I was rude, but I seriously had it. Actually, I'm not that sorry. I'm actually a lot ruder to other telemarketers who call us- mainly b/c we are supposed to be on the "Do Not Call List." Heck, the last telemarketer who called at 9 at night got the "F-bomb," so I guess things could have gone worse. :)
10 Comments
1) You're so right. I get upset just reading your blog!!! I agree with every word. You shouldn't apologize. What could be ruder than calling a private residence at 9 o"clock at night asking for money???!!!%^@#@#$%@ Be sure to put all your cell phone numbers on the Do Not Call List also because telemarketers have started spamming cell phones. The other day I got 17 text messages on my cell phone!
!   Wednesday, March 12, 2008
dazedpink
2) MSU as in Michigan State?? We went there too! And if it makes you feel any better at all, they call us all the time too...it seems like they'll try every night for a week, take a week off and then try again. Good for you for telling them to stop calling! I just let the phone ring. And they always seem to call when we're trying to get Lilly to bed. Bastards!
Jules   Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Emily
3) Actually, it is Moorhead State University in MN.

I guess they changed the name to Minnesota State University- Moorhead now. But my diplomas all say Moorhead State University, so it'll always be MSU to me! :)
Taffy   Wednesday, March 12, 2008
dazedpink
4) still good to know MSU bothers more than just me...even if they're 2 different schools!
Jules   Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Emily
5) I actually called them today & spoke to the head of the Alumni Foundation. I basically told her that I was sick of the constant late night calls asking me for money. I also told her exactly why I would never give a dime to MSU. She was very nice, apologized for the harrassing calls, & actually said she would put my number on a "do not call list." Pretty successful phone call, I think!
Taffy   Wednesday, March 12, 2008
reera
6) A whistle works pretty good.
dannie   Wednesday, March 12, 2008
billpearch
7) I made calls for the Elmhurst College Alumni Association during my junior year. Fortunately, the system wasn't automated back then. I could sort through the stacks of paper and determine who gave reasonable to large donations to the college. At least I felt like I wasn't bothering too many people.
Bill   Thursday, March 13, 2008
Emily
8) I guess part of the reason why they were calling me so much is because I graduated w/ 3 degrees at 3 different times from MSU (B.A., M.S., & PsyS). Apparently they can't update their records to reflect the fact that I am the same person even though I have 3 graduation dates on record. So, they just keep calling. The woman I spoke to yesterday said she would fix that part of their system. How about this? Make a note next to my name! Honestly, some people are so lazy sometimes.
Taffy   Thursday, March 13, 2008
betsyradish
9) Riley's Mom, you need to go to this website:
https://www.donotcall.gov/

Just enter your number, and you're on the "Do Not Call List." So, from then on, if telemarketers call you, they're breaking the law!

I registered about a year ago, and I haven't received a telemarketer call since!
Betsy   Friday, March 14, 2008
Emily
10) Actually we are (supposedly) on the list.

I know that the list expires after a year, so you might have to go back & re-register if it's been a year or more. Just an FYI!
Taffy   Friday, March 14, 2008
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