How to deal with cold callers
This is my Dad's method and it works quite well.

As soon as you recognise that you have a cold caller on the other end of the phone, don't hangup, shout abuse, or anything else, just simply ask them to wait a minute and then place them on hold.

Wait 5 minutes and check if they are still there. If they are then put them back on hold. Repeat until they're forced to hang up.

For extra fun, place the phone so that the cold caller can hear whatever activity you are engaged in while they are on hold. Music, movies, insane ramblings about how you;re gonna hide the bodies etc.
Bonus points for pr0n.
( Crap Little Monkey Deathstar, so good they built it twice, Fri 4 Sep 2009, 12:12, 4 replies)

But really
...it's just some working stuff trying to make a wage. The absolute best way to deal with them is to interrupt, say 'I'm not interested, please do not call this number again' and hang up. It's quick, avoids unnecessary ranting/raised blood pressure, and your phone is instantly free for other people that you actually want to talk to, to call you.

If you're getting a lot of calls then get on the Telephone Preference Service as an earlier post suggested. It works.
( reallywittyname veraciously conspues lexiphanicism on, Fri 4 Sep 2009, 12:55, closed)

No
Keep them waiting. The less people doing this sort of work, and the more marketing companies that fold the better life will be for all of us.
(magic the cat will someone please think of the kittens, Fri 4 Sep 2009, 13:02, closed)

already on it. Still get at least 1 cold call every day.

( Crap Little Monkey Deathstar, so good they built it twice, Fri 4 Sep 2009, 13:11, closed)

It's true they're just trying to make a living
But on the other hand, being put on hold for five minutes may mean that they get five minutes respite before the computer switchboard slams in the next number for them to call.

Or, it might mean that they miss their quota of calls for the day and get sacked. I have no idea really.
(richardm, Fri 4 Sep 2009, 15:18, closed)