Oct 03 2007
Telemarketers can be fun… for me to poop on.
On saturday I received a call from a Toronto area code. I didn’t recognize the number but we do have a number of lenders based out of Toronto (I’m a mortgage broker) and although a Saturday call would have been unusual, it would not have been impossible. My luck, it was a telemarketer from Rogers calling about my new cell phone package. Yay!
Caller: Hello, it’s [so-and-so] from Rogers Wireless. I want to review your service package but before I do, I need to verify your personal details.
Me: [pause] You called me.
Caller: Excuse me?
Me: You called me. Why do I need to verify my personal details?
Caller: Oh. It’s for security reasons. I need to verify I’m speaking to the account holder.
Me: What number did you call?
Caller: [gives my cell number]
Me: Yup, that’s me. Go ahead.
Caller: Sir, I need to verify your identy first. What is your name and address?
Me: If you called me and you’re from Rogers then you already know all that.
Caller: Yes I know but I need to verify I’m speaking to the right person. We don’t want to reveal account details to the wrong person. It’s for security.
Me: I get that but since you called me and I already know my account details, you don’t need to reveal anything. Why exactly are you calling?
Caller: To make sure you’re satisfied with your current services and review your options.
Me: That’s what I thought. So go ahead.
Caller: Sir, I can’t proceed before I verify I’m speaking to the account holder.
Me: What are the odds you’re not? You called my cell phone. Is it more likely some stranger picked up the phone or that you’re phishing for personal information related to this cell number?
Caller: I understand your concern sir but It’s our policy to verify.
Me: Well my policy is not to reveal my personal information to un-identified incoming callers. What’s your name and address?
Caller: My name is [so-and-so] and I’m calling from Rogers Wireless.
Me: Says you.
Caller: Sir, do you want me to review your account with you or not?
Me: Not really.
Caller: Are you satisfied with your service?
Me: A little more so now.
Caller: Good bye then sir.
Strangely enough I got another call from a second Rogers Wireless telemarketer not fifteen minutes later. Guess what. We went through nearly the same exchange. They haven’t called back.
Love the new mast- heads lol.
Oh I live for calls like that! But only if I have enough time to yank their chains like you did. That was classic.
Beautiful.
Simply beautiful.
Well done.
By the way, did you tell your provider that someone was possibly phishing?
I didn’t because I genuinely believed she was legit. Also, I could hear dozens of other telemarketers in the background although I suppose it could be a recorded sound. I don’t appreciate the policy of requesting my personal information. Dunno. You think I should report it? Hey maybe they have an audio recording of the call. That’d be cool.
In the great big (mostly useless) world of text messaging, I’m surprised a cell provider would still use a big room full of phone monkeys to cold call their customer list as a first line of attack. I’ve had multiple texts from Cincinnati Bell directing me to a web site with big exciting upgrades to my plan if want them. I realize a web site can’t ask you if you’re happy with your service, but if you are not, are ya waiting for a call? Call them, switch providers, or go talk to the 19 year old with the bad borrowed tie at the mall kiosk. Upgraded plan and a Cinnabon stop. A very productive afternoon.
Other Jim
I think I would call because as you pointed out, asking for account information when they are the ones who called is ludacris. It really did sound like phishing to me,(not that I’m any kind of expert) besides, the worst they’re going to say is “Yea, that’s how we get feedback on our service”. If it’s phishing, it gets reported and they can try to do something about it, if not, you spent 15 minutes on hold to report nothing. But then you get to hear that great music they play on the phone while you’re waiting to talk to a real person!
Jim has a good point too, they like to send text messages out, then you call back to them or go to a website. At least Sprint did. Haven’t gotten one from Verizon yet.
You know, when you comment on a post, you can enter your own name. It’s crazy what they do with computers these days.
I am entering my own name. This is Dave’s brother, Jim. I live in Carol Stream, IL. If you give me a call I can verify it for you…. ;-)
“Jim has a good point too, they like to send text messages out, then you call back to them or go to a website. At least Sprint did. Haven’t gotten one from Verizon yet.”
Posted by Jim. Do you often refer to yourself in the third person? Joe thinks this is silly.
Jim thinks if you read the post by Merno, it’s signed by Jim. Actually it’s signed by Other Jim, though I suspect that is not HIS real name.
“# Merno on 03 Oct 2007 at 6:31 pm
In the great big (mostly useless) world of text messaging, I’m surprised a cell provider would still use a big room full of phone monkeys to cold call their customer list as a first line of attack. I’ve had multiple texts from Cincinnati Bell directing me to a web site with big exciting upgrades to my plan if want them. I realize a web site can’t ask you if you’re happy with your service, but if you are not, are ya waiting for a call? Call them, switch providers, or go talk to the 19 year old with the bad borrowed tie at the mall kiosk. Upgraded plan and a Cinnabon stop. A very productive afternoon.
Other Jim “
lmao. Such confustion.
Jim = my brother
Other Jim, logged in as Merno = my sister Marianne’s husband Jim. Marianne is aka Merno.
Other Jim here. And here I thought I was being less confusing. I call myself out, as Dave’s bro-in-law. DON’T TASE ME, BRO! Sorry, couldn’t resist. Merno allows me to live with her, and allots me 10 minutes a day on the computer.
Identity theft is real, and I can protect you in secret ways. Just send $49.95 (real US money) to me, Mr. Merno, West Chester, OH. Or you can address it to me using my weekend name, Drunkbucket McGee.
Jim thinks this nice post. Jim thinks we off topic.
” I call myself out, as Dave’s bro-in-law. DON’T TASE ME, BRO!”
Other Jim is also Jim’s Bro-in-law, though he apparently doesn’t want to admit it here.
Jim K. that took me a few minutes to figure out. Had to scratch my head and re-read it lol.
I don’t even know who I am any more.
Yeah, that happens to me alot. Luckily for you, it’s easy. You’re the one on the right.
I am of course also Jim’s bro in law, and darn happy about it. My brain was starting to melt under the withering wittiness of these replies thus far.
Jim F., Other Jim, Jimbo, Plain Old Uncle Jim (rotten nieces/nephews)
“Plain old Uncle Jim” courtesy of the nieces and nephews since Jim K (Dave’s bro) is “Uncle Jim the Fireman” which trumps Jim F (the hand therapist, AKA plain old uncle Jim) into next week,
Oh, and this is actually Mariannne, aka Merno, aka Mern, aka Dave’s sister, Jim K’s sister and Jim F’s wife.
Got that?
Good luck Joe!
Back to the format changes, just one request.
Could you put the “responses so far” counter back at the top of the article?
This would eliminate the need to scroll down and see if there were any additions.
Thanks, t*
I duplicated it at the top of the post. How does that look?
Great, thanks
That was a great idea, Maz. Thanks.
LMAO, You guys are too funny.
So, I don’t check here too often, do I? Love, love love the conversation with the telemarketer! That was awesome.