There is a very funny conversation regarding Insurance . Do you get these kind of phone calls ? Put your comments 🙂
Ten ways to terrorize a telemarketer (contribution from a reader “shib “)
When they ask “How are you today?” Tell them! “I’m so glad you asked because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems; my arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died.”
If they say they’re John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located. Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as long as necessary.
Cry out in surprise, “Judy! Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?” Hopefully, this will give Judy a few brief moments of pause as she tries to figure out where the hell she could know you from.
If ABC calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends plan, reply, in as SINISTER a voice as you can, “I don’t have any friends… would you be my friend?”
If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.
Tell the telemarketer you are on “home arrest” and ask if they could bring you a case of beer and some chips.
After the telemarketer gives their product info, ask him/her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you could not just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.
Tell the telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask them if they will give you their HOME phone number so you can call them back. When the telemarketer explains that they cannot give out their HOME number, you say “I guess you don’t want anyone bothering you at home, right?” The telemarketer will agree and you say, “Now you know how I feel!”
Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. “Come on Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how’s your momma?”
And first and foremost: Tell them to talk VERY SLOWLY, because you want to write EVERY WORD down.
How to Attack Back on telemarketers
Pramod Moudgill shares how he attacked back beautifully on telemarketers when he got a call 🙂
I got a call from CitiBank for Credit Card. I asked them to only talk if they are serious about giving me the card because many call but they do not provide the call so I am really frustrated. The lady said sir what is your income. I said 30k a month to which she replied sir no problem we will definitely issue you a card. Are you salaried or … I said I am business man. What kind of business, “Madam main delhi mein auto chalata hoon”. She immediately reacted sir aapka card nahin ban sakta. Now it was my turn and I started, Kyon ji auto mein kya problem hai maam apna auto hai, sari kishten utar chuki hain, maam main bahut honest aadmi hoon, meter se chalta hoon , jab ek 70k ke Bike wale ko card de dete ho to mere paasv to 2lakh ka auto hai. All the time she was trying to speak but I just continued then finally she said sir co. policy nahin hai & again it was me ..”to pehle kyon nahin bataya mere 2 passenger chale gaye, harjana kaun dega meral loss kaun bharega main auto union mein complaint karunga & blah blah blah… & my no. is now free from citibank calls.
I got a call from ICICI bank for personal loan. I asked what is the rate, she said 18% . I asked “madam mere paas 2 lakh hain aap mujh se 15% par le lo. ”
She said “sir mujhe nahin chahiye” I said please aap holiday jao, LCD kharido & do what ever you want I am giving at only 15% come on.! Then again she said, “Sir maine bataya na mujhe nahin chahiye” Then I said” So who told you that I need one, jo aapne call kiya, aur aap log kya ek baar batane se maan jaate ho. Aap soch lo Iwill call you tomorrow.”
I speak to them as if im intrested in buying.. as i get aware of new products in market.. and then tell them simply that this plan dosnt suite me and my goals and thanks for info.. If they still force which happens rarely.. I tell them call me after 4 to 6 months later as I dnt have enough money to buy after paying EMI’s.. by that time some new product comes and im aware of it… again if I do not like. the same answer…
I think thats how I keep my market knowledge updated…
I got a phone call asking me if I required a loan. (Old days not now). I replied ” Yes I am intrested in intrest free-non refundable loan. ” Unfortunately the poor thing could’nt understand the joke.
I got another call from a tele caller. She ” Sir your number has been selected by a lottery and you are invited to such & such hotel on ..at .. for a presentation. And a free gift is awaiting you”. I ” If you want to give me a free gift then why don’t you visit my office and give it to me ? I will visit the hotel for the presentation after seeing the gift” .
I got another similar call . She “Sir you number has been selected by a lottery and you are invited to such & such hotel on ..at .. And a free gift is awaiting you.” I “Will you be there ?” She flustered ” No sir. My boss will be there” I ” Then I am not intrested”.
That was a very smart replies , I liked ” If you want to give me a free gift then why don’t you visit my office and give it to me ? I will visit the hotel for the presentation after seeing the gift” .
Hey Manish,
Fresh update from my side just sometime back I recd call from insurance company. This guy has been calling me since last week i told him that i have already taken Mediclaim, So he asked me from which company. Earlier i had given him details so he started telling me the difference but to avoid him i told that my father will only take the decision on this as I am buying for them. So don’t call me, but he had asked for my Father contact and again started that how important your health is and we do care for your health lahaba lallab…. For my goodness @ morning only i read this article and comments too and what 🙂 i applied the same i told him if u do care for our Health will u pls buy it for me? Then too he said okay and changed the subject then again i told him will u pls provide me your residential no me & my Father will let u know my decision. He said “me samza nahi, I said “me to Hindimehi baat kar rahi hu”. He denied to give me his no., then i said why u dont want to get bother @ home? So now u know how i feel. Smaz me nahi aatana tumhe pyarse baat kare to bhi 🙂 And he said its okay Mam and cut the call. Thanks for your 10 ways, I used 8th way. 🙂
Yesterday I also had a similar funny incident. One person from Kotak Mahindra called me and directly started with his plan. “Sir you have to put 2000 PM in SIP and you will get 12 Lakhs in return”. When I interuppted him and said how many years it will take to become 12 Lakh, then he came to some senses, and asked me about my personal details. His qstns were:
1. May I know from which city you are talking to? – I just asked him when you get my number, didnt you know from which city I am?
2. May I know your name please? – This was a completely funny question to me. Usually agents try to begin the conversation with your name. I said if you get the number, do you start dialing and explaining the plan without knowing whom you are talking to? Do you even know who the guy is and what he does?
3. What is your occupation? – Haha.. I was not expecting this question after the answer I gave for second question. Still I answered this question.
Now the funniest part – In which dept are you working? Do you work with finance, govt or what? – I answered this question as finance (I work in HSBC Technology & Services India, so my domain is finance.).
After hearing this answer, they guy said – “Aapka din shubh ho, dhanyawaad”… and hung up the call.. :O
What do you think he thought?? I am still puzzeled and laughing..
For a site claiming to be a authoritative source, this was a very cheap article, yes – telemarketing has its issues, but it just some people doing their job. This kind of article has come out in the past, so my take is the author is just trolling in for more page clicks and twitter tags. If yes then good, you earn some good clicks but loose some serious readers.
Why do you think that . Having these kind of articles shows how customers are chased by telemarketers and what are the different ways one can stay away from them , at the end its more of fun article which is filler to all the articles 🙂
Cant agree more on this. Telemarketers may be nuisance sometimes, but they are only doing their job. You have all the right to deny and shut them off in a decent way. No one has got a right to insult them. Anyway, they are not doing anything illegal.
You mean,
You are having your lunch with your boss, and i can call you and start explaining about the financial planning?
BDW who gave you this rights? and how it is legal that can you please explain?
if telemarketers work is harassing the people , then defenately they are doing wrong job. and if seriously they wana do their job then take appointment, ask for interest. if they getting reply No then they simply should put off the phone.
Now even after receiving NO in reply, whoever keep goin on discussion, he/she must be replied as mentioned in this article. and there is no wrong to talk like this.
@Brian and Ganesh,
Telemarketing is not a crime, but when they do with after several NO’s , or even after you register in DND registry, it definitely a CRIME.
Having sex with a lady is good when she agrees and enjoy, but it’s called as RAPE when u forcefully does!
🙂
For me this article is the best and most informative article. I appreciate Manish for his contribution. At the same time I am sure that those telemarketting agents will really hate this article. I hate these nuisance Calls.
My brother was irritated, everyday during his afternoon siesta he was receiving calls from some insurance agent, the lady insisting that he should hear their proposal. Accidently one day I picked up the phone. Conversation went on like this:
Lady: Mam we have an insurance policy (she explained details which i dont remember)
Me: hey that feels good. What I sould do to claim the money?
lady: We can meet tomorrow to discuss details
Me: tomorrow..you people are very fast..ok when tomorrow?
Lady: around 10 am with your husband.
Me: You mean MY..husband?
Lady: yes.
Me: But I dont have any husband. But wait..If its a matter of money I can produce a husband. I can get marry ASAP.
Lady: we’ll be glad to serve you.
Me: BTW whats the amount I am supposed to receive?
Lady: 5 lakhs
Me: you are kidding me ..right na!
Lady: No mam
Me: Of course ..only a numbskull will marry for a pathetic amount of 5 laks.
Your shceme is not attractive enough, if it was 50 crores instead of 5 lakha I would have taken the risk. But you see I dont see any point in risking my whole life for such a garbage offer.
Lady: We are sorry mama, the scheme is open for married ones only
Me: Thanks a lot for telling me. I shall be grateful to you forever.
Good one!
I had similar experience(not about credit card but ULIP product). I had got a new cell number and was surprised where did she got it from ? Since I was new to investment world I was a ideal “Bakra” for any new investment. Initially she convinced me to at least meet her and discuss about the product. After seeing the admin charges I was not really interested in buying ULIP but I was little hesitate to tell “no” immediately so I told her that right now I am not really interested to go with this product but in interested I will let you know. Now from the next day onwards she started playing silly things like sending me good morning message. Or like “Hi, how are you doing today, hope things are fine” type of messages. After 2-3 days when I did not replied her she called me and started talking informal things like “How was your day?” or “hows job is going on”, “Happy weekend” etc. etc.
this continued for almost 4-5 days….finally I told her that I am not interested so please don’t give me a call
Then suddenly next day she surprisingly visited my office and this time she was with some gentleman. They requested a lot to spend at least 20 minutes to discuss about the product. That guy was literally forcing me to buy the product. Any point I make he was defending with his non-sense calculation fundas. He almost ate 40 minutes of mine. Finally I just left the place just by saying “sorry!”
Ten ways is really good…….esp 9th point
Also idea given by Manish……asking them to meet you and say you don’t need is good.
I would like to give my recent experience with Reliance.
I have a reliance number and from last month, they started 2 things
– 1 SMS daily mentioning about due amount and ends like “if you have paid, please ignore the message”….STUPID system……it shows that their systems are so bad that they don’t know who has paid and who hasn’t paid
– 1 call daily
I get this SMS / call eventhough i pay before due date
Both these start 5 days before due date and continues for 5 days after due date.
For the calls i have started answers like this
– ask for the number thay wanted and say it is “wrong number”. when they say they are calling from reliance, i say i don’t have reliance number and the number called by them is vodafone number……they get confused!!!!!!!
I am waiting for number portability to shift service provider by retaining the number (changing mobile number & informing all friends /updating bank records / all other registrations –is a big problem)
For me the calls have not stopped. however the frequency has reduced. the first thing I ask them is how they got my number and the answer is standard… “its in our database sir…”.
now the trend is for sending out SMS. may be there should be some kind of registry for that too.
Read this part “To discourage the telemarketers who make calls to the numbers registered in Do Not Call List, a provision has been made whereby Rs.500/ – shall be payable by the telemarketer to the service provider for every first unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and Rs.1000/- shall be payable for subsequent UCC.”…. (contd)
If your telephone number is in DND, then you should pursue this case with your Service Provider. Best of Luck!
It is really interseting that we are all so fed up by these tele callers but hey just enjoy and only irritate them. There have been some instances with me which I want to share.
1. I got a call from CitiBank for Credit Card. I asked them to only talk if they are serious about giving me the card because many call but they do not provide the call so I am really frustrated. The lady said sir what is your income. I said 30k a month to which she replied sir no problem we will definitely issue you a card. Are you salaried or … I said I am business man. What kind of business, “Madam main delhi mein auto chalata hoon”. She immediately reacted sir aapka card nahin ban sakta. Now it was my turn and I started, Kyon ji auto mein kya problem hai maam apna auto hai, sari kishten utar chuki hain, maam main bahut honest aadmi hoon, meter se chalta hoon , jab ek 70k ke Bike wale ko card de dete ho to mere paasv to 2lakh ka auto hai. All the time she was trying to speak but I just continued then finally she said sir co. policy nahin hai & again it was me ..”to pehle kyon nahin bataya mere 2 passenger chale gaye, harjana kaun dega meral loss kaun bharega main auto union mein complaint karunga & blah blah blah… & my no. is now free from citibank calls.
2. I got a call from ICICI bank for personal loan. I asked what is the rate, she said 18% . I asked “madam mere paas 2 lakh hain aap mujh se 15% par le lo. ”
She said “sir mujhe nahin chahiye” I said please aap holiday jao, LCD kharido & do what ever you want I am giving at only 15% come on.! Then again she said, “Sir maine bataya na mujhe nahin chahiye” Then I said” So who told you that I need one, jo aapne call kiya, aur aap log kya ek baar batane se maan jaate ho. Aap soch lo Iwill call you tomorrow.”
Hahah .. you really did that 🙂 . Its really amazing to hear that you talked to them all these things, its a way of tell them how customers feel when they call 🙂 . keep it up .. I am tweeting this and including it in article , very nice
You can click on the name of the person who has written the comments and if they have any websites mentioned while leaving the comment you can see that.
Ten ways to terrorize a telemarketer…
1. When they ask “How are you today?” Tell them! “I’m so glad you asked because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems; my arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died.”
2. If they say they’re John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located. Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as long as necessary.
3. Cry out in surprise, “Judy! Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?” Hopefully, this will give Judy a few brief moments of pause as she tries to figure out where the hell she could know you from.
4. If ABC calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends plan, reply, in as SINISTER a voice as you can, “I don’t have any friends… would you be my friend?”
5. If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.
6. Tell the telemarketer you are on “home arrest” and ask if they could bring you a case of beer and some chips.
7. After the telemarketer gives their product info, ask him/her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you could not just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.
8. Tell the telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask them if they will give you their HOME phone number so you can call them back. When the telemarketer explains that they cannot give out their HOME number, you say “I guess you don’t want anyone bothering you at home, right?” The telemarketer will agree and you say, “Now you know how I feel!”
9. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. “Come on Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how’s your momma?”
10. And first and foremost: Tell them to talk VERY SLOWLY, because you want to write EVERY WORD down.
I have my way of dealing with telemarketers, I say that your company is not customer friendly, doesn’t provide good services, and i see a lot of complaints (online). I wanted to buy your product but I am not bcos of those complaints.
Normally, marketing calls have reduced these days, but i get calls from companies I am already dealing with, like HDFC Bank calls up to sell their insurance products, Gold coins, etc… but i let them know about their deficiency in the banking services which i experience, hence not buying insurance or gold from them (although i wanted to) Dont know if it works, but atleast they listen n keep shut.
Solid I like d sipirit of agent ……….. This happened wth me also and Caller was not ready to accept that Im not intersted in buying ULIP. I was totally irritated and then told her ” ur voice is so sweet and I’m ready to take ULIP but one condition. If you are ready to pay 50 % of my ULIP premium I will buy ULIP from u . She cut the phone and I never recieved call from her 🙂 🙂
That was decent 🙂 . One other thing we can do is to show them that we are interested and then call them to meet us , but once they come , we tell them clearly that we are not going to buy anything , and we just called them to irritate , why not irritate them back instead of them irritating us 🙂
This is not a permanent solution or an appropriate one. The sales guys are doing their job and yes, they have to do it to meet their targets. I agree when you say above, the problem is at higher levels. When I receive such calls, I listen to them (to know which product are they talking about), and tell them “Thank you so much” and disconnect the call. Luckily, I have never received the call from same person again ever 🙂
You are lucky in that case 🙂 . The situation in reality is very much similar to this video . However I use these calls to brush up my English and to kill boredom some times 🙂
The problem is with these insurance agent is they want to sell every thing on phone in just 5-10 min., The attitude is like you have to take decision in 10 min. only. there is no time for thinking.
Yes , thats another issue , these agents themselves think that we can take important decisions on phone without sitting and putting our mind in the products . Does it mean Industry itself takes customers for granted .
Dear Manish Sir Ji
Its really an eye opener for the (Jago) Invester.
Its very difficult to get rid of such people.
Some Insurance guy tried to lure me like this. when he has seen my reluctance to go for the Insurance. He has offered me to become Insurance Agent myself for earning some extra money.
Well right now similar incident regarding credit card from a bank where i have my account is happening…
Once he called me and i said staright whtever u want to say even its a free platinum credit card i dont need it….U wasting you time….He than starts okk give me 2 minutes…and he starts his boring explanation and after every 10 seconds he repeats its a lifetime free credit card….But suddenly for the first time in my life i thanked my mobile service provider and call got disconnected as i was changing room…Than i didnot received the call back and i thought the person got the answer….
Now 3-4 days back again a calls come and this time as if its from bank for some serious matter i listen and than again the person starts he got my reference from via this and that RM…And again starts same story…As this time i was seriously busy told him please dont waste my and yours time as i dont beleive in plastic money….Was just about to cut he says can i call u on Monday as u want….
This chap is not giving up…….which makes this line true “A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don’t need it.”
Haha , thats really serious problem and i dont know what can be the solution , mainly i would say its the sales pressure which makes these keep pestering people .
My personal experience with accident insurance selling agent.
They called almost every one on the town saying that there was a lucky draw & out telephone number was selected randomly. I won a free accident cover. They gave details of everything. After almost 5 mint of conversation, they ask me if I am married :), but I am not. So I replied negatively.
N u know what? They started charging on me, that you wasted our time n all. Agar aap saadi suda nhi the to pehle batana tha, bina matlab humara time waste kyoun kiya.
Though they didn’t cared to inform me at starting that to claim that so called accidental insurance I need to be married 🙁 (which is more painful than accident)
this has happened with me also , but I actually tried to irritate them myself , Once the credit card company calls me and takes all details and explains everything , I tell them at the end that I just got fired yesterday 🙂
Shadi se yaad aaya. Once I get a call from ICICI to buy insurance (ULIP) though I did not want to buy but I was free so to pass time I asked the girl why should I buy insurance. Her reply was that you can save for my children and if something happens to you then your wife & kids will get money. She told me that it is a must for married men to buy insurance. Now it was my turn I told her that I am unmarried (I lied ;-)) so she said “aap shadi to karoge hi to insurance to reqd hi hoga” I asked if she was married on which she said no. Then I asked “Madam aap mujh se shadi kar lo. Engineer hoon, 6 Foot ka jawan hoon, Kamata bhi hoon. aur tab mujhe insurance bhi chahiye hoga” Shockingly she said “Sir, why are you joking.” I said “no! I am serious. It’s a win win situation. Mera ghar bas jayega aur aapki policy bik jayegi. So when can I meet your mother? ” She put up the phone & since then I have got no call from ICICI.
in my small city where every one knows everyone, we request the girl,read as tele caller about job opportunites in their office.
tell them that your are also an associate of that office/company working in any other city.
share them any very bitter experience while dealing with them of your relative/freind, and ask for a complaint procedure.
Thanks , I was reading your articles on vegitable farming , I am myself interested in it so much and have done a lot of it at some small level . Would like to learn a lot from you on that 🙂
Sure. I’ll be very glad.
I have a question. Would you know how to correct a spelling mistake in the PAN card. I got all enthu from your post on mutual fund investing via fundsindia and while applying for it i realized my name on pan card has an extra ‘h’ in sant’h’osh. Now i need to correct it first before i can start investing via fundsindia. Amazing how none of the other banks/mf’s found this anomaly before. Looks like the KYC rules are getting strengthen.
By the way one piece of info too, for those who are not sure if they are KYC compliant can check the http://www.cvlindia.com/. Click on ‘enquiry on kyc’ option and enter the pan card number. Invalid data means the person is not KYS compliant.
I am not sure on this , however i found the following information on a website . May be that helps
———-
Hi,
I had a similar problem with my PAN card. I sent ITD a gazzetted letter and got it changed.
You have to be specific with the format of the letter and the gazzetted letter. They dont accept doctors working govt hospitals etc. You should get it signed by a principal of a govt college,MLA, MP or corporator or any official working in nagar nigam.
The format of the letter is below:
TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN
This is to certify that I know Mr. [ABC (your correct name)] s/o [XYZ]. His date of birth is 25/05/1981 and he is residing at the following address
[YOUR PRESENT ADDRESS]
Earlier his name in the income tax database was mentioned as “[Current Incorrect name on PAN]” which was incorrectly mentioned by the ITD or agent.
His correct name is “[Your Correct Name]”
This is to certify that the above mentioned details are true to my knowledge and this certificate is obtained for the purpose of CHANGE IN NAME (of applicant) in PAN card. Please issue him updated PAN card as per the correct details mentioned in this letter.
Paste your passport size photo to the upper right corner. The officer should sign it across with his rubber stamp below. One more sign and stamp at the bottom of the letter and send this letter to the following address:
INCOME TAX SERVICE UNIT
3rd Floor, Sapphire Chambers,Near Baner Telephone Exchange,
Baner, Pune – 411 045.
Customer Care – 020 – 27218080
Try calling them at this number. They do anser queries and help you.
—–
Also , You can go to any pan card office and fill up a form and submit the orginal pancard. after some days u will get new pan card with the changes u have asked for. it takes 15-30 days as these cards have to go to mumbai for any correction. , found at http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081015235722AA6VEtL
Hi Manish,
I tried to check for KYC compliance using my PAN Card. for your info i am holding a PIS account with Axis. i was surprised with KYC checking as i found its non compliance.
Now once a/c is opened, all documents submitted whiever asked by broker/bank, still how can our data showing un compalinace?
Also it reminded me my interesting conversation with one of the tele caller, when she called me to ask if need Credit card from her bank .. I was going to railway station in my office cab and was getting bored in cab as it was not my usual cab route when this call came on my cell.. I listened and interacted very carefully what she had to say for trying to get me signed for credit card.. Replied all her queries about salary, work info, company info etc without allowing her to realize that all details were fake .. then she explained what all documentation was required in order to apply for this credit card.. I then asked her many questions which made her believe that i am really interested.. However she got shocked for my reply when she asked me: Sir, when shall i send my executive to collect all the documents?
I replied in very sweet and simple voice: Next year M’am 😛 .. She took a pause for few seconds before she realized what had happened, then she said thank you (in frustration) before disconnecting the call …
I was on speaker phone for this conversation and I did not realize that my colleagues were listening my conversation with this lady, until, they all burst in to laughter listening my reply for her last query ..
I made sure that i stretched this conversation for at least 40 mins so i could cover most part of my destination 🙂 ..
I speak to them as if im intrested in buying.. as i get aware of new products in market.. and then tell them simply that this plan dosnt suite me and my goals and thanks for info.. If they still force which happens rarely.. I tell them call me after 4 to 6 months later as I dnt have enough money to buy after paying EMI’s.. by that time some new product comes and im aware of it… again if I do not like. the same answer…
I think thats how I keep my market knowledge updated…
Thanks for sharing that gazala ! 🙂
Thanks for ur job. well done.
Vaseema Thanks 🙂
Manish
I got a phone call asking me if I required a loan. (Old days not now). I replied ” Yes I am intrested in intrest free-non refundable loan. ” Unfortunately the poor thing could’nt understand the joke.
I got another call from a tele caller. She ” Sir your number has been selected by a lottery and you are invited to such & such hotel on ..at .. for a presentation. And a free gift is awaiting you”. I ” If you want to give me a free gift then why don’t you visit my office and give it to me ? I will visit the hotel for the presentation after seeing the gift” .
I got another similar call . She “Sir you number has been selected by a lottery and you are invited to such & such hotel on ..at .. And a free gift is awaiting you.” I “Will you be there ?” She flustered ” No sir. My boss will be there” I ” Then I am not intrested”.
Haha
That was a very smart replies , I liked ” If you want to give me a free gift then why don’t you visit my office and give it to me ? I will visit the hotel for the presentation after seeing the gift” .
Manish
Hey Manish,
Fresh update from my side just sometime back I recd call from insurance company. This guy has been calling me since last week i told him that i have already taken Mediclaim, So he asked me from which company. Earlier i had given him details so he started telling me the difference but to avoid him i told that my father will only take the decision on this as I am buying for them. So don’t call me, but he had asked for my Father contact and again started that how important your health is and we do care for your health lahaba lallab…. For my goodness @ morning only i read this article and comments too and what 🙂 i applied the same i told him if u do care for our Health will u pls buy it for me? Then too he said okay and changed the subject then again i told him will u pls provide me your residential no me & my Father will let u know my decision. He said “me samza nahi, I said “me to Hindimehi baat kar rahi hu”. He denied to give me his no., then i said why u dont want to get bother @ home? So now u know how i feel. Smaz me nahi aatana tumhe pyarse baat kare to bhi 🙂 And he said its okay Mam and cut the call. Thanks for your 10 ways, I used 8th way. 🙂
Rupali
Arre wah … wonderful , atlast some one applying it in reality 🙂
Manish
Yesterday I also had a similar funny incident. One person from Kotak Mahindra called me and directly started with his plan. “Sir you have to put 2000 PM in SIP and you will get 12 Lakhs in return”. When I interuppted him and said how many years it will take to become 12 Lakh, then he came to some senses, and asked me about my personal details. His qstns were:
1. May I know from which city you are talking to? – I just asked him when you get my number, didnt you know from which city I am?
2. May I know your name please? – This was a completely funny question to me. Usually agents try to begin the conversation with your name. I said if you get the number, do you start dialing and explaining the plan without knowing whom you are talking to? Do you even know who the guy is and what he does?
3. What is your occupation? – Haha.. I was not expecting this question after the answer I gave for second question. Still I answered this question.
Now the funniest part – In which dept are you working? Do you work with finance, govt or what? – I answered this question as finance (I work in HSBC Technology & Services India, so my domain is finance.).
After hearing this answer, they guy said – “Aapka din shubh ho, dhanyawaad”… and hung up the call.. :O
What do you think he thought?? I am still puzzeled and laughing..
Amol
I think he must have thought , as you are in finance , he cant cheat you and you know the internal of how it all works 🙂
Manish
For a site claiming to be a authoritative source, this was a very cheap article, yes – telemarketing has its issues, but it just some people doing their job. This kind of article has come out in the past, so my take is the author is just trolling in for more page clicks and twitter tags. If yes then good, you earn some good clicks but loose some serious readers.
Brain
Why do you think that . Having these kind of articles shows how customers are chased by telemarketers and what are the different ways one can stay away from them , at the end its more of fun article which is filler to all the articles 🙂
Manish
Cant agree more on this. Telemarketers may be nuisance sometimes, but they are only doing their job. You have all the right to deny and shut them off in a decent way. No one has got a right to insult them. Anyway, they are not doing anything illegal.
I agree
You mean,
You are having your lunch with your boss, and i can call you and start explaining about the financial planning?
BDW who gave you this rights? and how it is legal that can you please explain?
if telemarketers work is harassing the people , then defenately they are doing wrong job. and if seriously they wana do their job then take appointment, ask for interest. if they getting reply No then they simply should put off the phone.
Now even after receiving NO in reply, whoever keep goin on discussion, he/she must be replied as mentioned in this article. and there is no wrong to talk like this.
Any comments?
Jig
Agreed , the only point is that , you can tell them no and even if after that they insist on talking , simply but the phone ..
Manish
@Brian and Ganesh,
Telemarketing is not a crime, but when they do with after several NO’s , or even after you register in DND registry, it definitely a CRIME.
Having sex with a lady is good when she agrees and enjoy, but it’s called as RAPE when u forcefully does!
🙂
haha .. good one 🙂
For me this article is the best and most informative article. I appreciate Manish for his contribution. At the same time I am sure that those telemarketting agents will really hate this article. I hate these nuisance Calls.
Thanks
Keep commenting 🙂
Manish
My brother was irritated, everyday during his afternoon siesta he was receiving calls from some insurance agent, the lady insisting that he should hear their proposal. Accidently one day I picked up the phone. Conversation went on like this:
Lady: Mam we have an insurance policy (she explained details which i dont remember)
Me: hey that feels good. What I sould do to claim the money?
lady: We can meet tomorrow to discuss details
Me: tomorrow..you people are very fast..ok when tomorrow?
Lady: around 10 am with your husband.
Me: You mean MY..husband?
Lady: yes.
Me: But I dont have any husband. But wait..If its a matter of money I can produce a husband. I can get marry ASAP.
Lady: we’ll be glad to serve you.
Me: BTW whats the amount I am supposed to receive?
Lady: 5 lakhs
Me: you are kidding me ..right na!
Lady: No mam
Me: Of course ..only a numbskull will marry for a pathetic amount of 5 laks.
Your shceme is not attractive enough, if it was 50 crores instead of 5 lakha I would have taken the risk. But you see I dont see any point in risking my whole life for such a garbage offer.
Lady: We are sorry mama, the scheme is open for married ones only
Me: Thanks a lot for telling me. I shall be grateful to you forever.
Good one!
I had similar experience(not about credit card but ULIP product). I had got a new cell number and was surprised where did she got it from ? Since I was new to investment world I was a ideal “Bakra” for any new investment. Initially she convinced me to at least meet her and discuss about the product. After seeing the admin charges I was not really interested in buying ULIP but I was little hesitate to tell “no” immediately so I told her that right now I am not really interested to go with this product but in interested I will let you know. Now from the next day onwards she started playing silly things like sending me good morning message. Or like “Hi, how are you doing today, hope things are fine” type of messages. After 2-3 days when I did not replied her she called me and started talking informal things like “How was your day?” or “hows job is going on”, “Happy weekend” etc. etc.
this continued for almost 4-5 days….finally I told her that I am not interested so please don’t give me a call
Then suddenly next day she surprisingly visited my office and this time she was with some gentleman. They requested a lot to spend at least 20 minutes to discuss about the product. That guy was literally forcing me to buy the product. Any point I make he was defending with his non-sense calculation fundas. He almost ate 40 minutes of mine. Finally I just left the place just by saying “sorry!”
hahahaha,
They came to see you at your office and you left the place with saying sorry? 🙂 🙂
Strong selling attitude Hahahah
Njoy
that last two experiences were really funny…Can’t stop laughing. This article is seriously good a share.
Dear Manish, Shib
Ten ways is really good…….esp 9th point
Also idea given by Manish……asking them to meet you and say you don’t need is good.
I would like to give my recent experience with Reliance.
I have a reliance number and from last month, they started 2 things
– 1 SMS daily mentioning about due amount and ends like “if you have paid, please ignore the message”….STUPID system……it shows that their systems are so bad that they don’t know who has paid and who hasn’t paid
– 1 call daily
I get this SMS / call eventhough i pay before due date
Both these start 5 days before due date and continues for 5 days after due date.
For the calls i have started answers like this
– ask for the number thay wanted and say it is “wrong number”. when they say they are calling from reliance, i say i don’t have reliance number and the number called by them is vodafone number……they get confused!!!!!!!
I am waiting for number portability to shift service provider by retaining the number (changing mobile number & informing all friends /updating bank records / all other registrations –is a big problem)
JP
Mumbai
JP
Your idea is also a good one . We can just talk some random things and irritate them , some thing like this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0V2vE0z5MY&feature=related
Manish
Good one… 🙂 I think there is a site
you can check this out.
Sachin
thanks for the link , I am not sure if the calls stops after we register here ? Any experience ?
Manish
For me the calls have not stopped. however the frequency has reduced. the first thing I ask them is how they got my number and the answer is standard… “its in our database sir…”.
now the trend is for sending out SMS. may be there should be some kind of registry for that too.
Ajay,
Read this part “To discourage the telemarketers who make calls to the numbers registered in Do Not Call List, a provision has been made whereby Rs.500/ – shall be payable by the telemarketer to the service provider for every first unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and Rs.1000/- shall be payable for subsequent UCC.”…. (contd)
If your telephone number is in DND, then you should pursue this case with your Service Provider. Best of Luck!
It is really interseting that we are all so fed up by these tele callers but hey just enjoy and only irritate them. There have been some instances with me which I want to share.
1. I got a call from CitiBank for Credit Card. I asked them to only talk if they are serious about giving me the card because many call but they do not provide the call so I am really frustrated. The lady said sir what is your income. I said 30k a month to which she replied sir no problem we will definitely issue you a card. Are you salaried or … I said I am business man. What kind of business, “Madam main delhi mein auto chalata hoon”. She immediately reacted sir aapka card nahin ban sakta. Now it was my turn and I started, Kyon ji auto mein kya problem hai maam apna auto hai, sari kishten utar chuki hain, maam main bahut honest aadmi hoon, meter se chalta hoon , jab ek 70k ke Bike wale ko card de dete ho to mere paasv to 2lakh ka auto hai. All the time she was trying to speak but I just continued then finally she said sir co. policy nahin hai & again it was me ..”to pehle kyon nahin bataya mere 2 passenger chale gaye, harjana kaun dega meral loss kaun bharega main auto union mein complaint karunga & blah blah blah… & my no. is now free from citibank calls.
2. I got a call from ICICI bank for personal loan. I asked what is the rate, she said 18% . I asked “madam mere paas 2 lakh hain aap mujh se 15% par le lo. ”
She said “sir mujhe nahin chahiye” I said please aap holiday jao, LCD kharido & do what ever you want I am giving at only 15% come on.! Then again she said, “Sir maine bataya na mujhe nahin chahiye” Then I said” So who told you that I need one, jo aapne call kiya, aur aap log kya ek baar batane se maan jaate ho. Aap soch lo Iwill call you tomorrow.”
Pramod
Hahah .. you really did that 🙂 . Its really amazing to hear that you talked to them all these things, its a way of tell them how customers feel when they call 🙂 . keep it up .. I am tweeting this and including it in article , very nice
Manish
Superb!!
Hila dala!! Agar koi telecaller padhrahi hogi to kal job choddegi.
Why do you think its women only 🙂
Manish
😉
Boy telecallers ki waise hi kaun sunta hai.
Great one! But sometimes you tend to sympathize with these guys.. 🙁
Please provide me link of Raja’a article on vegetable faming.
http://rajsmusings.wordpress.com/
Raju
It is http://rajsmusings.wordpress.com/
You can click on the name of the person who has written the comments and if they have any websites mentioned while leaving the comment you can see that.
Heya..thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success.
Agreed 🙂 . keep in touch
Manish
Ten ways to terrorize a telemarketer…
1. When they ask “How are you today?” Tell them! “I’m so glad you asked because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems; my arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died.”
2. If they say they’re John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located. Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as long as necessary.
3. Cry out in surprise, “Judy! Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?” Hopefully, this will give Judy a few brief moments of pause as she tries to figure out where the hell she could know you from.
4. If ABC calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends plan, reply, in as SINISTER a voice as you can, “I don’t have any friends… would you be my friend?”
5. If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.
6. Tell the telemarketer you are on “home arrest” and ask if they could bring you a case of beer and some chips.
7. After the telemarketer gives their product info, ask him/her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you could not just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.
8. Tell the telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask them if they will give you their HOME phone number so you can call them back. When the telemarketer explains that they cannot give out their HOME number, you say “I guess you don’t want anyone bothering you at home, right?” The telemarketer will agree and you say, “Now you know how I feel!”
9. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. “Come on Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how’s your momma?”
10. And first and foremost: Tell them to talk VERY SLOWLY, because you want to write EVERY WORD down.
Amazing !! ..
its so good that I included it in the article itself 🙂 . Check it out !! .. good work 🙂
Manish
I have my way of dealing with telemarketers, I say that your company is not customer friendly, doesn’t provide good services, and i see a lot of complaints (online). I wanted to buy your product but I am not bcos of those complaints.
Normally, marketing calls have reduced these days, but i get calls from companies I am already dealing with, like HDFC Bank calls up to sell their insurance products, Gold coins, etc… but i let them know about their deficiency in the banking services which i experience, hence not buying insurance or gold from them (although i wanted to) Dont know if it works, but atleast they listen n keep shut.
Shib
thats also a good way to keep them away and make them feel bad and not call you again 🙂
Manish
Solid I like d sipirit of agent ……….. This happened wth me also and Caller was not ready to accept that Im not intersted in buying ULIP. I was totally irritated and then told her ” ur voice is so sweet and I’m ready to take ULIP but one condition. If you are ready to pay 50 % of my ULIP premium I will buy ULIP from u . She cut the phone and I never recieved call from her 🙂 🙂
Manish
That was decent 🙂 . One other thing we can do is to show them that we are interested and then call them to meet us , but once they come , we tell them clearly that we are not going to buy anything , and we just called them to irritate , why not irritate them back instead of them irritating us 🙂
Manish
Manish(the author),
This is not a permanent solution or an appropriate one. The sales guys are doing their job and yes, they have to do it to meet their targets. I agree when you say above, the problem is at higher levels. When I receive such calls, I listen to them (to know which product are they talking about), and tell them “Thank you so much” and disconnect the call. Luckily, I have never received the call from same person again ever 🙂
Shivani
Shivani
You are lucky in that case 🙂 . The situation in reality is very much similar to this video . However I use these calls to brush up my English and to kill boredom some times 🙂
Manish
The problem is with these insurance agent is they want to sell every thing on phone in just 5-10 min., The attitude is like you have to take decision in 10 min. only. there is no time for thinking.
I have write a post in hindi on my blog for insurance conversation.
टेलिकॉलर्स, टेलिवार्ता, ३७ लाख के लिये बीमा और रिलायंस फ़ार्मा फ़ंड का विश्लेषण
Vivek
Yes , thats another issue , these agents themselves think that we can take important decisions on phone without sitting and putting our mind in the products . Does it mean Industry itself takes customers for granted .
Manish
Dear Manish Sir Ji
Its really an eye opener for the (Jago) Invester.
Its very difficult to get rid of such people.
Some Insurance guy tried to lure me like this. when he has seen my reluctance to go for the Insurance. He has offered me to become Insurance Agent myself for earning some extra money.
chandra
oh really , I am not sure what will he gain if you become an insurance agent ? Did he lure you with anything ?
Manish
Thats an awesome well-trained sales person but we should beware of these agents for our own benefit, jago investor.
Khalid
Yes , the word should be well trained and pressured sales guys , even they have to meet targets , the problem lies at the higher level .
Manish
This is an awesome video 🙂
I want to know one thing from this guy… what is this personal accident???
Harrytiege… haa haa…
OK Sirjee ?
Harrytiege… ?
What does that mean ?
Manish
Its in the Viideo Manish, he calls heritage hotels like this.
ahh got it 🙂
Manish
🙂 some smart ideas.. but why don’t we have the “Do-not caller list” as in US.. for telemarketing….. really it is unctrolable in india..
Manyam
Actually we have a Do not call registry , but still TM people call 🙂
Manish
Well right now similar incident regarding credit card from a bank where i have my account is happening…
Once he called me and i said staright whtever u want to say even its a free platinum credit card i dont need it….U wasting you time….He than starts okk give me 2 minutes…and he starts his boring explanation and after every 10 seconds he repeats its a lifetime free credit card….But suddenly for the first time in my life i thanked my mobile service provider and call got disconnected as i was changing room…Than i didnot received the call back and i thought the person got the answer….
Now 3-4 days back again a calls come and this time as if its from bank for some serious matter i listen and than again the person starts he got my reference from via this and that RM…And again starts same story…As this time i was seriously busy told him please dont waste my and yours time as i dont beleive in plastic money….Was just about to cut he says can i call u on Monday as u want….
This chap is not giving up…….which makes this line true “A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don’t need it.”
Sohil
Haha , thats really serious problem and i dont know what can be the solution , mainly i would say its the sales pressure which makes these keep pestering people .
Manish
Hi Manish,
I found it very nice……The best part was the “Never Give Up” attitude of the agent…. 🙂
Vinay
Yes , because of these next give up attitude , a lot of people end up buying many thing , esp credit cards 🙂
Manish
My personal experience with accident insurance selling agent.
They called almost every one on the town saying that there was a lucky draw & out telephone number was selected randomly. I won a free accident cover. They gave details of everything. After almost 5 mint of conversation, they ask me if I am married :), but I am not. So I replied negatively.
N u know what? They started charging on me, that you wasted our time n all. Agar aap saadi suda nhi the to pehle batana tha, bina matlab humara time waste kyoun kiya.
Though they didn’t cared to inform me at starting that to claim that so called accidental insurance I need to be married 🙁 (which is more painful than accident)
Pratik
this has happened with me also , but I actually tried to irritate them myself , Once the credit card company calls me and takes all details and explains everything , I tell them at the end that I just got fired yesterday 🙂
Manish
Shadi se yaad aaya. Once I get a call from ICICI to buy insurance (ULIP) though I did not want to buy but I was free so to pass time I asked the girl why should I buy insurance. Her reply was that you can save for my children and if something happens to you then your wife & kids will get money. She told me that it is a must for married men to buy insurance. Now it was my turn I told her that I am unmarried (I lied ;-)) so she said “aap shadi to karoge hi to insurance to reqd hi hoga” I asked if she was married on which she said no. Then I asked “Madam aap mujh se shadi kar lo. Engineer hoon, 6 Foot ka jawan hoon, Kamata bhi hoon. aur tab mujhe insurance bhi chahiye hoga” Shockingly she said “Sir, why are you joking.” I said “no! I am serious. It’s a win win situation. Mera ghar bas jayega aur aapki policy bik jayegi. So when can I meet your mother? ” She put up the phone & since then I have got no call from ICICI.
hahaha
Good one 🙂
Manish
Hehe .. that is what i call “risk-taking” 🙂
Manish
in my small city where every one knows everyone, we request the girl,read as tele caller about job opportunites in their office.
tell them that your are also an associate of that office/company working in any other city.
share them any very bitter experience while dealing with them of your relative/freind, and ask for a complaint procedure.
Lovey Yaar !!
Continue to do so !!!
Devadoss Eswar
Trivandrum
I liked your illustrations more than the call. 🙂 Definitely I am going to take this insurance 🙂
Dominic
Great that you liked it 🙂
However the video is not from me . I found it on youtube 🙂
Manish
Hilarious!!
Raja
Thanks , I was reading your articles on vegitable farming , I am myself interested in it so much and have done a lot of it at some small level . Would like to learn a lot from you on that 🙂
Manish
Hi Manish,
Sure. I’ll be very glad.
I have a question. Would you know how to correct a spelling mistake in the PAN card. I got all enthu from your post on mutual fund investing via fundsindia and while applying for it i realized my name on pan card has an extra ‘h’ in sant’h’osh. Now i need to correct it first before i can start investing via fundsindia. Amazing how none of the other banks/mf’s found this anomaly before. Looks like the KYC rules are getting strengthen.
By the way one piece of info too, for those who are not sure if they are KYC compliant can check the http://www.cvlindia.com/. Click on ‘enquiry on kyc’ option and enter the pan card number. Invalid data means the person is not KYS compliant.
Regards
Raja
Raja
I am not sure on this , however i found the following information on a website . May be that helps
———-
Hi,
I had a similar problem with my PAN card. I sent ITD a gazzetted letter and got it changed.
You have to be specific with the format of the letter and the gazzetted letter. They dont accept doctors working govt hospitals etc. You should get it signed by a principal of a govt college,MLA, MP or corporator or any official working in nagar nigam.
The format of the letter is below:
TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN
This is to certify that I know Mr. [ABC (your correct name)] s/o [XYZ]. His date of birth is 25/05/1981 and he is residing at the following address
[YOUR PRESENT ADDRESS]
Earlier his name in the income tax database was mentioned as “[Current Incorrect name on PAN]” which was incorrectly mentioned by the ITD or agent.
His correct name is “[Your Correct Name]”
This is to certify that the above mentioned details are true to my knowledge and this certificate is obtained for the purpose of CHANGE IN NAME (of applicant) in PAN card. Please issue him updated PAN card as per the correct details mentioned in this letter.
Paste your passport size photo to the upper right corner. The officer should sign it across with his rubber stamp below. One more sign and stamp at the bottom of the letter and send this letter to the following address:
INCOME TAX SERVICE UNIT
3rd Floor, Sapphire Chambers,Near Baner Telephone Exchange,
Baner, Pune – 411 045.
Customer Care – 020 – 27218080
Try calling them at this number. They do anser queries and help you.
—–
Source : http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/26482-name-misspelled-pan-card.html
Also , You can go to any pan card office and fill up a form and submit the orginal pancard. after some days u will get new pan card with the changes u have asked for. it takes 15-30 days as these cards have to go to mumbai for any correction. , found at http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081015235722AA6VEtL
Manish
its a very simple online process. All instruction and process very well wrtten there. got my wife’s name changed in straight 2 weeks.
https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html
Sandeep
Thanks for that info 😉
Manish
Hi Manish,
I tried to check for KYC compliance using my PAN Card. for your info i am holding a PIS account with Axis. i was surprised with KYC checking as i found its non compliance.
Now once a/c is opened, all documents submitted whiever asked by broker/bank, still how can our data showing un compalinace?
Do i need to varify with Bank or broker?
Any legal issues for KYC non compliance?
Regards
I am not sure on that , Its required as part of Prevention of Money Laundering Act : http://www.axisbank.com/xmlapplication/personal/images/kyc-booklet.pdf?ucode=Personal
I have posed a question on Forum : http://jagoinvestor.dev.diginnovators.site/forum/is-kyc-non-compliance-illegal/507/
Manish
🙂 .. Could not stop laughing out loud ..
Also it reminded me my interesting conversation with one of the tele caller, when she called me to ask if need Credit card from her bank .. I was going to railway station in my office cab and was getting bored in cab as it was not my usual cab route when this call came on my cell.. I listened and interacted very carefully what she had to say for trying to get me signed for credit card.. Replied all her queries about salary, work info, company info etc without allowing her to realize that all details were fake .. then she explained what all documentation was required in order to apply for this credit card.. I then asked her many questions which made her believe that i am really interested.. However she got shocked for my reply when she asked me: Sir, when shall i send my executive to collect all the documents?
I replied in very sweet and simple voice: Next year M’am 😛 .. She took a pause for few seconds before she realized what had happened, then she said thank you (in frustration) before disconnecting the call …
I was on speaker phone for this conversation and I did not realize that my colleagues were listening my conversation with this lady, until, they all burst in to laughter listening my reply for her last query ..
I made sure that i stretched this conversation for at least 40 mins so i could cover most part of my destination 🙂 ..
Haha .. good one . I do that often , Its the way of entertainment and nothing else !