Hey Flux,

We also had heaps of problems with them before we signed into the do not call thingo.

I used to answer the phone and act really interested in their product and then just say "Hang on just a minute, I'll just grab a pen", then give the phone to the baby to play with for 5 minutes, every 5 minutes or so I'd go grab the phone and say "Are you still there? Sorry, can't find one, I'll just be another minute", then go off again for a while. <repeat>

It's amazing how long they will hold on the phone. Eventually I just hang up without saying another word. It's hilarious fun! Give it a go.

Good luck,

I used to have that problem years ago, solved it by disconnecting my landline. I was sick of paying bills for only $30.00 worth of calls anyway.

Luckily I get a free work mobile, so until telemarketers start calling mobiles it's sorted

I just tell them my Dad is not home.. (after I heard my son say it) they don't seem interested in talking to me after that.. Helps if you sound half stoned

Oh man, my landline is the business so I cant go on do not call. I think this form of advertising is the lowest of the low, not as bad as fax advertsing though (I get several faxes a week with advertising, using my toner and paper to print there advertising.... aARRRRGGGGHHHH)

I see telemarketers as a great opportunity to try out some of my prank call techniques. I quite like using these guys as a stress relief and trying different ways I can make life more diffcult for them whilst eleviating my stress. We all sit in the office with it on loudspeaker and give these guys absolute hell. Once I had one on the phone for 45 minutes pretending I could hardly speak Engrish thinking they were going to sell me laser printer cartidges for over 50 colour laser printers on a regular basis. Finally I said, mate I dont have any printers, I am on the do not call register dont F*$#ing call me again.... he never did.

I told another guy that said they were a survey (obviously he was harvisting my details for direct marketing) I said my name was Lincovich and my wife was number 2 prostitue in kazakstan, that I inspect dildos for a living and my favorite holiday destination is antartica. He honestly though I was serious. Telling them you are naked and are thinking of them is a good one too... start the full phone sex with them. O

OOHH man... the fun, if everyone did this these vermin wouldn't keep interupting our lives.

The new way that telemarketers work is by getting a computer to make the calls and after it establishes its a human at the other end transfer the call to the operator.

One way to avoid the call being transferred is not saying hello twice when you pick up the phone. The computer waits for you to say hello twice so your obviously human and if this doesn't happen it just thinks your an answering machine.

Plus the new way is to send your calls to India so there is a long delay in the other end talking just hang up.