Club Chaos Agents - All Things Hollish, Wacked, and Jacked

Yikes Indeed !

Maybe the Cocoon theory is going to become more prevalent, people completely switching off from contact for a while ????

... who am I kidding...not while there are Blackberry Apps available !!!

I have to admit I have loved not getting those calls during the dinner hour and in a previous life I was a telemarketer!!  Now mind you I was the second call once they had been given permission to call.  It is amazing what you will do to stay home with your children!

I added mine two weeks ago to the Do not call list.  I don't want telemarketers calling me.  Customers can find me through my website, etc. and on my marketing materials. 

Speaking of phones,  I need a new one...what is the best new phone product for RE agents with GPS capabilities in your opinion?

I called several months ago and added my name to the DNCL...I still have gotten several calls from solicitors and they are polite when I let them know. I personally do not like to be sold...I like to check products and services out and then make a decision on my own. Thanks for the post Brad!

When you are in Real Estate you must be accessible.  A cell phone is a must - I love my Blackberry!

I agree that I don't want to be called by telemarketers - there is actually a guideline we should follow as Realtors (or any sales person) 

Sheldon - lol~  This is not going to turn into an iPhone vs Blackberry debate is it?  haha!!!  iPhone Rules! 

Marchel - I was hoping to hear from a telemarketer on this one, thanks.

Karen - see my comment to Sheldon, but then you'll have to decide.  I know I'll be hearing from you once you get your iPhone.  lol~

Wanda - you are not alone. We all want to buy, but none of us ever want to be sold.  Great comment, thanks.

Call me anytime, I'll put those folks through hell.  My number is 610-653-0317,   I don't mind wasting time on folks who are wasting their time on me.  Sales calls are capitalism; and they tend to hang up on me.  I like capitalism, but I would hang up on me as well.  After all, I really don't need new drapes.

Hi Brad... I added mine a while back and frankly, it has made a considerable difference in my call volume and wasted time checking and listening to solicitatio voicemail messages.  It not only eliminates a nuisance, but has been a help in my time management efforts. 

LOL @ Jason. Oh the things I could say here but wont (LMAO). ;-)

Featured @ Club Chaos

Hi Brad!  I'm still laughing at Jason's comment--Jason, I wouldn't hang up on you! 

I'm with Steve on this one--I get tons of solicitors and they just drive me nuts!  My problem is that I hate to check my voice mail--I much prefer to answer my phone unless I'm with clients.  But, when I'm on the phone and a call goes through to vm, I have to dial in and listen for a minute or so until I realize that it's a solicitor sometimes and sometimes I can' tell--they're sneaky, "Hi Debe!  This is so-and-so and I found you on Active Rain.  I understand you know the ins and outs of Charlotte and I have someone who is moving there that I would like to refer to you.  Give me a call back on my cell at XXX-XXX-XXXX."  SO, I call them back only to find out that they are a real estate referral service, selling their bogus leads for $X per month or per lead!  By then, I'm livid--they beeped in on my call, they left a misleading message and they're TELEMARKETERS that have just wasted 5 minutes of my life that I'll never get back!  ARRGH!

With the internet being my new 'yellow pages' and the amount of information that I gleen from forums such as Active Rain, I don't need anyone else trying to sell me something--well, unless it's Jason!

Have a wonderful Independence Day!

Brad, do you thank that one of these days there will be a "Do Not Tweet" list?

I've been on the DNCL for awhile now and really appreciate not having all the unnecessary calls.  With my cell phone being on websites, property signs, flyers, etc., I want to keep my line open for clients...not telemarketers!

Brad: We maintain a lookup for Washington and Oregon Do Not Call Numbers, from the Registry... At least 3 or 4 times a month I get those alerts about cell numbers from well meaning clients... I, like you, find it fascinating that more and more people unlist and put their phone numbers in the DNC, yet join more and more social networks...

We're redefining how, where, and who we want to communicate with...

RF

I have been on it for a while, but come to think of it, I am getting a few calls here and there. I forgot I was on the list. Or maybe I forgot to do it? No, I must have done it.

My number is everywhere, but please, don't call and sell me things. Things I don't want no less. Most of the calls I get are from RE website hosting companies, or web optimization companies. Guess they think my website sucks... But now I am on page 1 of the search engines since AR so they can go pound sand. :D

I really wish politicians had to abide by the DONOTCALL list.  But they don't so I guess about this time next year I'll be getting a ton of those messages again.  Makes me nuts.

I got the same call as Debe- very frustrating and SHADY!!!!

The house is on the DNCL...  And I don't like to cold call for that reason, it would be a little two-faced. 

Brad...

I just don't want to be bothered with unsolicited sales calls. I don't have the time of the patience for them anymore!

Yes, I just love all those calls from the lead generation companies!! :)  I don't get a ton...but enough to keep me entertained!

Oh Jason, you rock! Got any good scripts, short ones that is?

Hi Active Brad~ I am on the DNC list because I was receiving way too many unsolicited calls.  I almost never make cold calls and I do not like receiving them either 

I'm with Lane. I don't cold call. It irks me when they cold call me. I was laughing the other day about spoofing wearing my combat boots with my gown because after it posted I got a bunch of e-mails from shoe companies about their military oxfords and combat boots. Seems the whole world is reading ActiveRain (LOL). I remember going through them wondering what was up until I saw the AR no not reply e-mail notice regarding someone commenting on the post. The light-bulb went off and I laughed off and on about it all day. I may actually buy a new pair from one company. Very nice website. ;-)

Ugh I get those Activerain calls. They are deceptive.

I will add my name to the list as I don't want to be solicitated on my cell phone or house phone.

My home phone is only used for faxing and it rings several times a day with no fax so I can only imagine it is telemarketers calling, lol.  A couple of them have actually started tele-faxing me though!

I got a 6th call the other day from someone wanting to help me get to the first page of google.  I saved the number in my phone as "Don't answer" as I do on occassion..."Don't answer1, don't answer 2, don't answer3, etc."  He finally left me a message that said, "I guess since I leave you all these messages and you don't call me back you aren't interested (How about I'm busy as well)."  I was thinking, 6 times? and you just now figured it out?  I'm sure "D" is a nice guy, but, duh? 

Anyone know if you still have to re-new every 5 years as was the rule in the past?

I just added my phone number to the no call list.  I have been getting a lot more telemarketers lately and it is irritating when I'm on the phone to a client.  Thanks for the update.

I beleive that there are other ways to filter calls than to be placed on the DNC list.  Privacy director comes to mind.  As you say, there is no right or wrong answer. 

Jason - I just tried to cold call you, but your line was busy, looks like your "Capitolizing" on another call right now! ROFL... 
I just boxed up our drapes, (they're not new) and now I just need your address.   :-)

I guess I see it as pretty black and white.  If I plaster my phone number everywhere then I am giving consent (maybe implied, but consent) for phone calls.  It was my choice to put my number out there, thereby soliciting the good and the bad that goes along with it.

I think when a consumer doesn't put their phone number out there, then that choice says something too and we need to respect that.

I don't see a disconnect with people putting their numbers on the DNCL and joining social media.

With social media, you choose the contacts, time, place, etc. With the telemarketers, there isn't that choice.

And, we ALL know that telemarketers don't take no for an answer.

I get telemarketer calls from time-to-time, even with my number on the list. They tell me they aren't trying to sell me anything, they just want me to know about .... Who are they kidding!

I simply state, "You've called a number on the do not call list" and hang up. It doesn't even matter if the number is really on the list, or not.

Have to echo Lane on the cold calling. I hate it when it is done to me, so I'd rather pursue othe avenues to attract business. Although I must admit, sometimes cold calling does work, but it is not something I want to do religiously everyday.

Brad -

I registered my cell phones some time ago.

Clients can call my cell - but, please, give me selective control here!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

I thought they went public over a year or two ago or are they just renewing where we have to go back and do the do not call thing again. So annoying but who really has home phones.

As Realtors we get way too many solicitations now. I will definitely had my number to the DNCL.  It was great to have my home phone blocked.  As long as clients can call, that's all I care about. Thanks for the info and the number. Have a great July 4th!

When they first implemented the DNC nearly 5 yrs ago, I added my home, my office and my cell number. I do still get the lead calls to my office # which is always forwarded to my cell. Usually I just hang up. I told one guy that the # was on the DNC list, then he said "but I got it from your web site". I told him that was for clients, not telemarketers who still have to abide by the DNC list.

I'm getting rid of the politicians' robo calls by canceling my land line.

I'm not a fan of cold calling, and I'm on the do not call list. 

I like to ask them for their name and home phone number. they ask why..My reply is so that I can call them when they are home and discuss this as I'm busy at the moment

Brad - I hate getting calls from telemarketers on any phone.  I'm wondering, is the number you quoted above specifically for cell phones?  Or is it for land lines too?

BLOCK, BLOCK, BLOCK! LOL. I despise telemarketers. I never did cold-calling and I don't want to receive any. (I have done some "warm" calling, IE expired MLS listings. And I've knocked on some doors. I figure they can always choose to not answer the door, in which case I just leave a packet of information.) I hope cold calling is a think of the past. There are far better ways to gain business. As for social networking, I choose which platforms to link to my business, and which ones I reserve for play.

Brad, we're not on the DNC list - guess we're the only people on the planet who aren't, but we're in sales and sometimes we do call people we don't know for various reasons. Our home phone is internet-based so not many people even know the # so we avoid a lot of those calls. I find that when I tell people I'm not interested, I can get off the phone pretty quickly - most of the time.

And iPhone definitely rules!

Sharon

Hi Brad!
Not that you need another person to chime in here, but what the heck!
The reason that I added my number to the "do not call" list isn't so much that I have a "thing" against telemarketer...okay I do...but mainly because I already have a problem with not being able to take calls when I am with clients...adding more calls just would aggravate an already frustrating situation.

I registered and still get a lot of cold calls, I keep forgetting to say 'I'm on the list.'

Hi Brad - I'm on the DNC for my home number. I really dislike the telemarketing calls in the evening but worse still are the political calls which aren't even covered by DNC list.

As a Realtor, I don't want to be a "secret agent".

The iPhone 3Gs rocks for real estate! :-)

Hi Brad,

Very funny! LOL! My phone is used for business and I would hate to lose some calls do to telemarketers! I would not be Happy!

Have a great 4 th of July!

Judy

Brad...

DO NOT MAIL ME - DO NOT EMAIL ME - DO NOT TEXT ME - DO NOT FRIEND ME - DO NOT FOLLOW ME - DO NOT ADD ME - DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO ME - DO NOT TALK TO ME - DO NOT LOOK AT ME!

And Quit following me around on Snopes :)

P.S. I thought I was one of the few people around here that actually keeps an eye on that site :)

TLW...ROAR!

Brad,  Another fine, interesting and thought provoking post!  Currently, I am on the DNC list, it has drastically reduced my "spam" calls which makes me very happy.  My other thoughts on it though are, if we are putting our phone number out there for business are we really allowed to list it with the DNC?  Our phones are usually in our own personal name and therefore that is our scapegoat but are we playing both sides of the fence?  We also look at FSBO's in a similar light, they are advertising their home for sale (BUSINESS) yet their phone number is in their personal name and on the DNC list.  Where's the sword to divide this one?

I just re-registered to make doubly sure Chip & I don't get solicited.

And, in my business model, I account for the fact I blast folks who do cold call me!

I'm with Karen, I used to show telemarketers that I'm beating them on the internet. That's not fun anymore, so, all the numbers are saved by a diferent name. No, no way, idiot, scum, etc, Lol.

Canada also has a DNC list that was introduced last year.  However, some telemarketers found a workaround by getting a copy of the list and then making calls to Canada from outside Canada which, of course, makes it very difficult to prosecute due to jurisdictional issues.  This issue received a lot of news coverage.

Another problem with DNC lists is that once the DNC period has expired, the telemarketers have a list of phone numbers they can call if the number has not been renewed on the DNC list.

Thanks for the tip, Brad. I just verified that my number is registered, and it's been registered for the past 6 years. Hasn't stopped some of the calls, though. Most of the calls I get are for timeshares or lead generation. One of these days I'm going to hang up on a genuine seller or buyer who says, "Hello, I'm looking for a Sacramento agent."

LOL @ Elizabeth. I know what you mean... Sometimes my voice mail is full and I can't access the messages unless I delete one. I had to call Sprint and ask them to d it because I couldn't. Never saw that coming. Didn't know it could happen either. When I finally got in it was one solicitation call after another. Irked me to no end... :-)

I wish there was a do not email list for all the crap I get as spam. Nice post thanks for the number it is appreciated

You can get more information, register (it's permanent) or file a complaint at www.donotcall.gov

My numbers are on the list - I still get the calls, bit it seems to be fewer. Now if there an emailmarketer Do Not Email Me list....

Jeff

My numbers have been on the list...I really have no patience for the calls.  I can remember just hanging up on the callers because they would not take NO for an answer..just kept on talking...so instead of cussing...I end the call.

I have wondered if the reason online has become so popular and telephoning has not is it because,  one can be on twitter, facebook, linkedin and numerous other sites at their discrestion? their convienence?  a telephone rings and we just answer it, and then decide if we want to talk to that person,  it is few people that make that decision before answering the phone.  Just a thought here.

Brad, with cell phones there is always the OFF switch and with your own Caller ID not picking up the call. That way it still costs you nothing. Pick up if interested, but you don't have to pick up every call. That's what voice mail was created for. Telephone calls can be such an interruption, but I am amazed that people who KNOW you are calling don't even pick up many times. Signs of our times I guess. Most people get faster answers with email and texting and are not ignored as often.

I, for one, am getting VERY annoyed with the daily..."Hey I saw your website online and can make you number one on Google!" calls.  Every day I get these calls on my cell phone and I am sick of it!  I will be registering my cell phone and my son's as well since he had a $20.00 charge show up that ATT was happy to refund that was caused by a text message that he replied to not knowing he was buying a $20.00 a month subscription to a gaming site.  ATT said that they had a ton of people being scammed that way...so beware of texts that are not clear about who they are from and what they are wanting. 

Jeani

I am lauging so had at Jasons'

CALL:610-653-0317 for a ration of  #*^@#!

Unfortunately our Board sells the members phone/email list to anyone willing to pay! Sometimes the calls come through the office, desk by desk and when it's my turn, I answer an politely ask them to hold for a few moments and then I go back to work and se how long it takes them to hang up...

I know, not nice but certainly an improvement over my past response OOPS! 

I smile has been around for a long time. My cell phone is on the do not call list yet vendors find it here on Active rain or on Inman news where I write my local column and they call it and call it.  It doesn't cost me a dime but does tick me off.

Hi Brad, Thank you for the phone number!  I don't want or need calls from telemarketers and I certainly don't want to pay for it.  I am on the do not call registry and get them anyway--always at the worst times!  If I want a product, service or anything else, I will pick up the phone and call them :)

Hey thank for the heads up!

Patricia

LMAO @ Russell and Jason. What can I possibly say to that? Hmm... ;-)

That's an interesting point, people want their phone numbers on the DNC list yet they put their info on social websites.

It does make sense though.  Unwanted e-mails can easily be deleted.  Unwanted phone callers are a hassle.  I'm getting rid of my land line, tired of getting 4-5 calls per day from solicitors, even though I'm on the DNC list.

Brad,

As of now I'll keep my number on the restricted list. It was just getting out of hand a few years ago and it probably won't be any better now.

Unfortunately, I get these calls already because I have my work phone listed as my cell phone on some sites. Thanks for the info though.

Thanks for the heads up Brad.

I need to put my # on the Do not call list.....I've been getting bombarded by solicitations.

I just received my first spam sext message last night at 1 AM.  The alert woke me up and I checked my phone out of curiosity (mistake).

So now we have "spext" to deal with...

That's an interesting point, people want their phone numbers on the DNC list yet they put their info on social websites.

Hawaii Homes - an interesting point indeed, certainly part of the motivation behind this post.  :-)  I too am guilty of putting my number on the DNC list, and then advertising that I'm available to take calls if you need me.  Unfortunately, that opens up a filterless opportunity for telemarketers or anyone else to take advantage of that welcome. 

I was told that the best thing to do when a telemarketer calls you and wants you to buy something is to ask them to hold on why you go get your credit card, then set the phone down, and go back to whatever it is you were doing before the call.  Wait about 20 minutes, then come back and see if they are still there.  If they are, then buy their product!!  ROFL.  Of course I wouldn't do this with a cell phone as you'll be paying for the minutes. 

I'd love to see a post on the many ideas folks could use or come up with to handle some of these unsolicited telemarketers, that would be fun.

By the calls I get, I'm pretty sure most of the telemarketers already have found my cell phone number...

Hi Brad, in a past career I was in the telephone industry (local and long distance -- remember the days when they'd advertise to have you switch your long distance?!), and my part of the industry collected good revenue because of the telemarketing calls, fax calls, etc.  Times indeed have changed.

If you are called by a for-profit-telemarketer, I was told the best things to say are: "Please take me off of your list, and tell the supplier of your list to take me off their list!"  These are supposed to be golden words to help reduce their unwanted calls -- short of registering on the DNC list.

Also, Non-Profits have exemptions so, you'll still get their calls.  It shouldn't hurt to use the above response on them as well.

Otherwise, I'm pretty quick to hit the END button on the mobile phone!  John

I love the ones where they mess up the script and have to start over again... Oh, I saw this technique the other day..I don't know if it works, but this guy claims that it does:

Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end? This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone. This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a "real" salesperson to call back and get someone at home. What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one there, is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times, as quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialed the call and it kicks your number out of their system.

I like that one, I'll have to try it next time I get one of those "hang up on you machines!"   lol~  Thanks. :-)