Some days I hate the phone.....

[poltr1]

Someone from the Human Rights Campaign just called me to solicit funds. They started off with $100, then $60, then $30. (And each time I said no. After the third "no", I said, "This is the third no. Any further attempt to persuade me will be construed as harassment."

I know this tactic is probably written in their script, but why can't they stop at the first "no"?

I also asked to be put on their do-not-call list, but I got some excuse that that's only for telemarketers. (I checked donotcall.gov and that's true.) Still, I don't want charities calling me and hitting me up for money. What type of fool do they take me to be? I don't give money to charities over the phone, because (1) there's no way to verify who they say they are, and (2) I don't have money to give them. I'm unemployed, and unemployment conversation covers child support, meals, gas, and utilities. Why can't or won't they comprehend this?

I"m also trying to reach two of my former employers from this past year. They won't return my calls or email messages. Why? I've been contacting them for nearly 2 weeks, I need that information from them NOW, and I can't wait for my W-2 or 1099 forms. Do I have to threaten to refer them to my attorney, or state in my reply "The courtesy of a reply is requested"? If they'd be reasonable and return my calls in a timely manner, I wouldn't have to resort to hardball tactics.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

I just look at the number on Caller ID. If I don't recognize it, and it's not from an area code where people I know might live, I don't answer it.

[poltr1]

Yeah, I could do that. But they'd call me for weeks or months if I did that.

They've been calling me all week, when I wasn't home to answer. And they wouldn't leave a message on my voice mail. If not for Caller ID and phone memory, I would never have known that they called. BTW, it was a 617 area code number (Boston MA) with no name.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

This is where I *heart* my Android phone running CyanogenMod. It has a "blacklist". Long-press a phone number in the call log and "Blacklist" is one of the options that comes up. They call? Straight to voicemail.

[egoldberg.livejournal.com]

"Every time you call me to ask for money I will donate $20 to Rick Santorum's campaign in your honor." ;-)