We take a break in our regular programming (Vegas trip reports) for a tip on handling telemarketers.
This morning Dennis told me that yesterday he received a telemarketing call at our business. The caller, from a company called "Sale in a Box," asked for me. Sale in a Box sells balloons, banners and other marketing items to bring attention to your business.
Dennis explained that I worked from home and was unavailable.
He paused in his story to explain to me that he usually he takes the opportunity to encourage telemarketers (yes, we get ALOT of these calls at our business) to "eat beef" -- since we live in the beef capital of the world.
Most of the time, the person on the other end of the line says they are beef eaters and will enjoy a steak or hamburger that night.
This is how the conversation progressed:
Caller: "Well....I'm a vegetarian; I can't really eat something that has a mother."
Dennis: "Oh, then you must be one of those PETA people."
Caller: "What's wrong with PETA? I'm a supporter."
Dennis: "PETA is the enemy......(long pause)....I guess that makes US enemies."
Caller: "We still have good balloons!"
They both had a good laugh, and Dennis did not buy anything. Dennis admitted that he held his tongue, since the conversation was seguing into a political debate that was quickly headed toward Obama and the liberal agenda.
If you ever want to get rid of a telemarketer, just get them off the subject....Dennis always makes friends (or enemies, in this case) -- and doesn't end up buying a thing!
1 comments:
Great post! Still remember "meeting" Dennis for the first time on the telephone when you and I were living in CS and ya'll were dating. I think we talked for an hour. We definitely became friends that day. I will have to use his tip. Btw, I am making your monster cookies today!
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