How do you get rid of telemarketers?

Do you have caller id? If not you should get it on your house phone. I only answer calls that I know. That way you don't answer unwanted calls.

I am supposedly on the 'no call list,' but I still receive calls. They usually start with how are you today. RAther than give them the usual, "I'm fine," I go into a long list of my ailments. I speak very rapidly such that they can't get a word in edgewise. I may say something like, "Oh God, I'm so glad you asked. I have been having a terrible problem with my arthritis. These cold days have it acting up terribly. When I first wake up I can hardly move my fingers. Then as if that isn't enough, these hemmroids..." I keep on until they hang up! Now, if they don't start with a 'how are you today?" then I listen until there is a chance for my response. They usually will ask something along the way requring my response. At this point, I ask them to marry me or some other ridiculous comment. I keep this up until they get frustrated and hang up!

Once I was told about this tip from a friend to deal with telemarketers, ask who they want to speak to, then say, they are in the garden, tell them you will go and get them, put the phone down, and then go and make yourself a coffee or carry on eating. Then return to the phone, if they are still there say he's coming! Then put the phone down again and return after about 5 minutes, most of the time they would have hung up themselves, or if they are stubborn and still hanging on, tell them you've got a big garden and it takes a while for them to get to the phone! Failing that I just tell them sorry I'm busy, goodbye. The best thing to do is to unplug your phone when you are eating! That's what my mum does! Whenever she has been slaving over the dinner in the kitchen, 5 minutes before she is due to dish up she tells my father to take the phone out, so they are not disturbed, once they have eaten their dinner, the phone goes back in! Some choices for you there! I like mum's idea the best! That way you don't get caught, you are not rude and you eat your dinner in peace without worrying if the phone is going to ring!

It is especially annoying when they call at mealtime or when you are getting ready to go out, I swear. I find too, like some other people that replied to you here, that just hanging up on them is what I would do. Then if they call back, either don't answer or just hang up again. Some of them can be really persistent, but most will get the clue and not call back. The first time I registered my family's phone number with the do not call registry, it seemed to work really well for about a year, but we get all kinds of calls again lately. I tried signing up for it again, and I'm not sure yet if it helped, but you can always try. It doesn't take much time at all. Others here have already posted the link for you, I think, but it is at www.donotcall.gov - good luck! ^_^

I tell them I'm not interested, bye and hang up. They seems to love to call at inconvenience times.

I worked as a Telemarketer for a short time.....worst job I ever had.They teach them to be a little more persistent and to not take no for a answer.The best way to deal with it....just say"not interested" and hang up.The longer you stay on the phone the more they will talk....after all they work on comission and a sale means more money.So cut them of and don't try to be to polite about it....they called you without your permission.

Hang up on them. Tell them they have the wrong number. Tell them the person they're asking for doesn't live here.

Take a minute to do a search using myLot search. Some one posted a great disucssion on just that subject and they had an excellent solution. I didn't bookmark it though so I have forgotten who posted it. Worth looking up though.

Actually, you don't. The best you can do is screen your calls; if not all the time, at least at times that you don't want to be bothred like dinnertime. If you let the answering machine get it, most of the time they hang up anyway. of coarse putting your phone number on that list helps alot, but not all. As long as the law says it's ok there's nothing much you can do.

It's easy. Before they start, you start questioning them, like how they got your number and all absurd questions. In the end tell them to remove your number from their list.

I hang right up on them and do not feel bad about it. They are violating my privacy.

Join the National Do Not Call list, after about a month you will not receive another telemarketer call. It is wonderful I know the only time my phone rings it is people I want to talk to. I beleive if you contact your phone company they can help you get on the list.

I just say "Thank you but I'm not interested." and hang up. They don't get another word in and I haven't been rude.

Its easy, just make them extremely unconfortable... If the person calling is of opposite gender, then ask what he/she is waaring right now. or some other suggestive question. If its of same gender, then ask if he/she is G*Y!! :D tht person is not gonna talk to u for long. Also as said above, telling them about ur problems in detail is pretty good too. :D. Just annoy them. happy talkin :D

I just politely tell them that I´m busy, they obviously carry on talking and asking me questions to keep me on the line, so I tell them that they are wasting their time with me and hang up.

First off, I screen calls. They ring 3 times, and then most of them hang up. If I happen to pick up, and one is there, I don't let them start talking, as they go non stop. I just say, this is not a good time, I am sorry, good bye, and hang up. I don't want to be rude, but it is their job to keep you on the line.

I just cut the phone as soon as I hear, I am speaking from such and such. They may find it rude but they never call back again. If they do so I just read the number and switch off my phone. I do not waste my time with them. Once I told them , Oh I am working with so and so , so if I buy yours will you buy mine. It was so funny , the telemarketer finally cut the call.

If you live in America, you can call 411 and ask the toll free number for the Do Not Call List. Call that number and ask for your number to be on the list. It will permanently take you off the database of telemarketing companies so you will not get any phone calls from them anymore unless you asked for it.

The best way to get rid of a telemarketer at dinner time is to say I'm sorry I'm eating dinner and I can't take this call now......You can tell them when a good time to call you or say this, "Please Don't Call Here Anymore." Once you do that and they call back you can have them arrested for harassment.....I know I used to work as a telemarketer...

My mom gave to me a phone number, and I registered mine, but they kept calling, it was a waste of time. I know, it is very annoying. There are several websites though that help you to report them. But make sure you write down everything: company name, name of operator, time, and others.