Cold Calls

One of the annoying parts of having a small business is the cold sales call. This is where someone calls you up out of the blue and tries to sell you something. I can't imagine it works since I have never bought anything from someone who just cold called or walked in my front door.

But, these calls persist and they become shadier and more outrageous everyday. Like yesterday someone called me to tell me I had won a free prize that came with no obligation and all I needed to do was schedule a time to accept delivery. It was some kind of scratch-off card and the caller was named John although (and I mean no offense) I think his name was probably Ravneet and he was calling from some offshore call center.

Anyway, I told him to keep his prize.

Today someone from Fedex called and in the middle of her sales call she asked me if I published biographies. I said no to which she relied "so you would not be a good place to send my book?"

Jiminey Christmas jerk-offs, does it ever occur to you that I might be WORKING when you are calling, that I don't have time to chit-chat and that I certainly am not going to listen to you pitch your book to me?

The really bad ones are the scammers. Last week someone called saying they were from AT&T and they wanted to discuss changes to my account. A red flag went of fwhen she asked me my name and my companies name. I called this one out "You aren't from AT&T are you>" to which she replied "I am calling from a company authorized by AT&T to contact you regarding money saving options on your telecommunications bills. You can talk to me, or wait for the information in the mail." I ended the call by saying I would wait for the mailed information.

And they keep coming, relentlessly, two maybe three times a day and everyone of them is scummier than the last one who called.

I know times are tough (GOD I know times are tough) so I don't sweat the callers, they are just doing what they are told. I hope I don't have to go that route to earn money to support my family.

No, I blame the companies they work for who develop these slimy sales tactics to try and get me to buy something I do not want. I would LOVE to call those people at work and see how long it takes them to get irritated by their own tactics.

Anyway, cold calling does not work people, so give it a rest.