How Do You Handle Unsolicited Sales Calls?

[madeara]

I don't pick up the phone.

[oldbuddy]

Since I know they have a loser job they probably hate, I try to get them as a referral.

[gaylasue]

If I don't recognize the number, I don't answer the calls.  If it is an important call, the caller will leave a message.  If not, I ignore it.

[Gerianne]

I block their phone number.
Someone told me that it's best not to answer the call at all; not even pick up the phone.
If you do, that shows interest and you don't want to show them the slightest bit.

[betlynjua]

On our business phone, my husband probably gets around 50 or so calls a day.  Some are legitimate customers while many others are telemarketers. 

Both of us have gotten very good at not picking up when the number is not recognized or hanging up immediately when it's a sales call.

[sfreeman8]

I have an answering system that my message states "If you are calling to sell something, forget it. I'm broke." A lot of them do stop calling. I also have Caller ID and usually I don't answer the call except.....

for the persistent ones (usually foreign speaking and/or those stating they're from Microsoft) when I'm in the mood to answer, I just tell them I'm on the FEDERAL Do Not Call list and if you call again, I WILL report you. That usually stops them.

Right now I'm getting a bunch of daily recorded calls  telling me I qualify for student loan forgiveness. That's nice but I have never had a student loan. i even went so far as to choose #1 (talk to a representative) and told them about the Do not call list, but it didn't stop them.  So they will be reported.

[gaby_ro_2004]

I blocked them but if i want to have fun i start to talk in my language(romanian)and they try to speak french,spanish or hang up after they realized they have no idea what to do.They never call back.

[ljrjess69]

i just hang up on them,,,,,,,,,,

[o2bnocn]

I really don't get them very often. I usually just say I'm not interested and then hang up. Most of them are very pushy if you stay on the phone.

[judylucas]

I too never answer if I don't recognize the number

[metsrock69]

thank god for caller Id. If there is a number I don't recognize, I don't pick up the phone. thats the good thing about having a smartphone and a landline. I give people I don't want to talk to the landline number

[vickysue]

A lot of times i just hit answer then hang up,  but if it a call with one of the 2 prefixes i answer it.   But so man times is a sales person wanting to sell me something or i have won a free trip (yeah right) .  Or it is a scam. those really tick me off. The one about the IRS or another one about the jury duty, i get a little ticked and end up telling them off.  Do not call   does not work. Some times i act like i don't know what they are talking about and just  jabber on until they get tired of me.

[patapon555]

If I'm feeling nice, I'll hang up. If I am not having it, I'll let them know and give it to their face.

[bleyd]

I register my numbers on the Do Not Call Registry. If I receive a call I dont recognize, I dont answer it. And block it.

[amyDAST]

I used to give the phone to my kids when they were toddlers because they loved the phone. Now that my kids are older I always act like I don't speak English and say huh over & over. They don't call us often at all.