Irritate the Gatekeeper for Sales

Who thought it would be a grand idea to have recorded telemarketing calls? When these calls come to my home phone, I am irritated. How much more irritating do you think it is when I'm at work attempting to help a customer and the phone rings... and I hear a recorded telemarketing call.

The first thing that pops into my head is our current economy, and I begin to ponder how many people are out of work because of a recording. The second thing that pops into my head is how cowardly these companies are that they can't even have a live person listen to me hang up on them.

However, I will stop and listen when I have the time. I make careful notes on the business described in the recording (if they ever get around to announcing it). And I make sure the shop I work for doesn't become a customer of theirs.

Here is a tip to keep in mind if you are considering this avenue of sales. The first person to answer the phone in any business is the one you really need to impress. We are the gate keepers. We are also the keepers of the golden keys. Most of us are very cold and calculating if you aggravate us. We are not usually the person you need to speak with, and you will not be directed to the correct person if we are not impressed with you. We certainly will not sit through a recorded call to figure out which person your company actually needs to speak with. The golden keys will be used to lock the gate after we thoroughly enjoy kicking you in the arse as we slam the gate shut.