Lindsay Gulliver
From Santee (Sales and Marketing)
It's always dinner. When they call I say, "I'm sorry, I just sat down for dinner." That usually works. It doesn't even matter if it's around dinner. I used to say, "Why don't you give me your number and I'll call you back when you're having dinner." Sometimes I'll simply say I'm not interested and hang up.
Anna Paul
From La Jolla (Cake Decorater)
Well, I just say, "No, thank you," and then hang up. I don't want to give them a chance to say their spiel. It seems it works better that way. Once they start talking, it's hard to break in. And then you feel like you are being rude. So, I try to cut them off early on in the conversation.
Dominique Andrews
From Mission Valley (Waitress)
I will yell and cuss at them. No, not really. I usually listen to them for a few minutes and then try to get them off the phone. Not that that always works. I probably shouldn't let them talk for a few minutes, because then it makes it hard to get them off the phone. It helps that I don't have a house phone now, only a cell phone.
Rhonda Ciardetti
From San Carlos (Info Technology)
I tell them I'm on the no-call list. Sometimes that works. Sometimes, they'll keep talking even after that. If they continue and won't stop, I tell them I'm going to have to report them. I might ask for the name of their supervisor or the company. At that point, they usually hang up. I think after five years, you have to put your name on that list again.
Doug Douglas
From South Bay (Probation Officer)
I'm not interested, but I do it in as polite a manner as possible. Usually that works. If it doesn't, I say it again and tell them I'm in a hurry. I picture someone at the other end, at some call center. And I realize they hate calling me as much as I hate listening. I keep that in mind, but at the same time, I don't want it to waste a lot of my time.
Isabella Chavez
From Alpine (Operator)
I will say that I'm sorry and tell them I'm not interested. I then hang up immediately. If you don't, they'll try to get their second spiel in. I put my phone number on that opt-out list, and that really helped a lot. Although I'm starting to get the calls again, and I'm not really sure why.