Telemarketing to DJ's - ANNOYING

I often wonder if other DJ's experience as many annoying sales calls as I do. I have all of my numbers on do not call lists (and they've been there for years) but because I want potential clients to be able to contact me easily...my cell phone # is posted on hundred of websites.

Because of this, some people just can't resist dialing and trying to sell me something.

The big telemarketing firms avoid violating the "do not call" list, but smaller marketing firms and individuals don't care.

I often get calls like "Hi Aaron, I just ran across your website and I want to..."

A. redesign your website
B. Help you market your website
C. Tell you about our services!
D. See if you want to get more business!
E. Be listed in our fantastic new wedding directory!

The most annoying thing is because they found your number listed in public on your website, they think they have one up on you and have a right to call you. When you are rude (and treat them like a telemarketer) they get indignant like "Is this how you talk to your clients?"

Earlier today I got a call from an 818 area code and the guy said "There are a couple of websites I wanted to tell you about because I think they could be a great companion to your DJ services...." or something.

I said I was busy and he said when can I call back and I said "how about never" and hung up.

Then he writes me an email:

"It is rude to hang up on people. I certainly would not recommend you to anyone."

These people are driving me nuts.

How about the rest of you?

I never had that, but I did have some wedding directory company try to get me to join their service about 3x in one week. I slammed the phone before hanging up.... last I heard from them.


Yours is funny.Why would they recommend you even if you signed up? Maybe you suck as a DJ... or maybe you are awesome, but they certainly don't know either way.

Aaron,
Since you have that guys email address now, I would call the Do Not Call List people and report the violation.

Moreover, I would email him back and advise him that you are going to do so, make sure you advise him of the fine he is facing.

Groovielou

I'm on the fcc's website and apparently the "do not call list" doesn't apply to business lines. What? "Telemarketing calls to business telephone lines generally are not prohibited. Neither the National Do-Not-Call Registry nor company-specific do-not-call requests apply to business lines."

But since he called my cell phone I'm reporting it anyway.

There is a policy for Do Not calling a cell phone by default. There are swift penalties that the phone service caries out for violaters.

Greets, Aaron.

Travis is right. They're not supposed to ring cell phones under any circumstances. Reason being, you (the callee) has to pick up the dime. If telemarketers are ringing your cell, contact your cell carrier to report it. Have the numbers, dates and times at hand.

Alas, it's true that the Do Not Call list isn't necessarily enforced for business phone accounts. You can place your business number on the DNC list (we did) but telemarketers are not technically in violation if they call you.

That said, we haven't experienced the amount of bothersome calls you describe. Actually, all we've had to deal with were people selling postage meters and other office equipment. When they call, I thank 'em and say we're not interested and hang up. We rarely hear from them again.

If your situation is getting to the point where telemarketers are tying up your business time there is something you can do. If you say "Please remove our number from your call list and do not call us again" they are ~ by law ~ required to remove your number from their listings. If they continue to pester you, they are in violation of the law and you are within your right to get the phone company involved.

The telcos take these things seriously. Once you say "Do not call us again" you've done what you needed to do. If they call again they're on their way to a phone harassement rap. You're lookin' at some serious fines there.

In closing, please don't be rude to these people. They've got to put food on the table too. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Just do it right. The law is on your side, my friend. :)

Fred,

You are too cool my friend! I don't have the patients! Especially, if they follow up with an email like the one Aaron got. I can understand they are trying to make a buck, but as with any unpopular job, you expect a level of abuse. You have got to have a thick skin in Telemarketing, Police work, Collector... etc.

bounty Hunter

I just got one from someone claiming to be from one of the major media companies in our area UND which he says is part of the TV station WNDU and U93 the radio station along with print media... the call came up as U N D. My guess is he may be legit... he wanted to sit down in person. I told him my schedule at this time doesn't have any immediate openings but please email me information... he replied that he likes to get to know his clients first... so I told him that I'm primarily marketing to Weddings and Karaoke at this time so just send information that would suit that. He said he would and was very pleasant not pushy at all... or at least not yet. We'll see.:sqwink:

I'm not a big fan of these calls either but these people are just doing their jobs so why be a jerk to them? They're just trying to earn a living like everyone else so why not be respectful, say no thank you and ask to be removed from their list?

As others have mentioned, business lines don't qualify for the DNC list--it's not their fault you're using a cell phone to run your business. A good solution might be to get a business line and if the call comes in from out-of-state let it go to voicemail and if it's actual prospective client you can call them back.

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/11/08/0542246