Buyer Beware: Telephone Solicitors
So there was a story locally about someone who had bought a service from a telephone solicitor (I don’t remember what it was, something like carpet cleaning or the like), and this person was not happy with the service they received.
So I guess my question for anyone about to buy a service from a telephone solicitor is, “Why?”. This type of sale is like the candy at the check out desk at the grocery store. These folks call you at home and I think the expected pick up rate is 1/10% or less, so why do these services do this? Is their service so FANTASTIC that they feel they need to get the word out? Don’t think so. You might never think you need this service? That’s closer to it. You’d never call to get this service? That’s a LOT more like it.
I have call display (yes, it is a luxury that I pay $5.00 a month for, but I view it as something I am willing to pay for), so I don’t answer Unknown Numbers, or calls from people making solicitations. I will call the services I need, thank you, please don’t insinuate your service into my life, thank you.
Beware folks, and if you get a call and think , “Hey I could use that service”, then go research a couple of companies BEFORE you even entertain the idea of using the telephone solicitors services! –C8j
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March 20th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Hear hear!
I blame anyone who buys from phone solicitors. Every single thing they’re able to sell is one more justification for why they do it.
The ONE time in my life I found myself actually considering purchasing something offered to me over the phone (a newspaper subscription) I made a point of NOT buying it from the telemarketer, and instead calling back the company to order directly. I don’t want to make them think this practice pays.
The simple truth is that as long as they can get 1 person to sign up for something by calling them at home, they’re going to continue to do it. And from friends I’ve had who did that job during summers off from school, I can tell you most of the time the batting average is well under 1 in 10. But that’s apparently enough to justify paying a room full of people $9 an hour to keep doing it.
I like the blog. Keep up the good work.
March 20th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
I am with you. I have call display as well for the express purpose of weeding out telemarketers. I do not answer the phone unless I recognize the number.
The good thing is that I use VoIP (Vonage to be exact) so call display and all those other goodies are all included.