The reason they talk so fast is they have a set time limit per phone call. I used to work at national chain hotel reservation 800 # and if I remember correctly, from the time we received the call to the end of the conversation, which included determining where they wanted to stay, how many were staying and getting a CC # to secure the reservation was only supposed to take 3.5 minutes.

Yagottatalkfast-- but yet speak clearly and precisely.

They talk fast because they're trying not to leave a pause or gap in which you can say you're not interested, relying on people feeling it is rude to interrupt.

I've managed to get over that. Just yesterday someone called asking for my wife. I asked "What is this call regarding?" the caller started her spiel stating "I'm calling on behalf of <company>, we're doing a <poll or survey> ..." At which point I interrupted saying "Shut up. I'm not interested in talking to you -- there's the answer to your poll. Don't ever cal this number ever again. Is that clear?"

And they need to learn how to speak English! Especially when they are doing customer support!!

Hey, I say if you're not really busy and want to have some fun, use this as an opportunity to talk reeeaaaallllyyyy sloooowwww and keep acting like a moron and asking really stupid questions and even make up stupid stuff to talk about like you're life history (made up of course!). Maybe it would make at least this one person decide to get a new job.

Or wait until they get done with their pitch and tell them to please repeat it as you didn't understand...that could go on and on! :)

I just do not engage in conversation with telemarketers at all. If I answer I call I assume to be a telemarketer (I usually screen all unknown numbers before answering) I just state that I am not interested and disconnect. No need to be rude but also no need to listen to their spiel. There is not anything to do with a telemarketing call that would benefit me to listen or engage in conversation.

I think that most companies have come to a conclusion that telemarketing is not a very profitable sales generating tool and if they wish to reach existing customers about new services or products, there are more efficient ways to do so.

What about the ones with teeny-bopper voices that man the phones in a clinic? Twice in these past couple of months I've had to ask to speak someone else........just could not make out when my appointment was to be! I thought it must be my poor hearing, but both times I was able to understand the next person.

My hearing is bad, and I often have trouble understanding people. They may be speaking plenty loud enough, but they just don't enunciate very well, their words seem to run all together. I often have to ask that they please try to speak a little plainer and slower. I rarely answer unknown numbers on my caller ID, so it is not just telemarketers that I have this problem with. Recently I was speaking to someone in a county government office, couldn't understand a word she said. When I asked her, very politely, to please speak a little plainer, as I have a hearing problem, she responded in a very huffy tone of voice "I am talking plain!".

Rusty

It was my mortgage company. They were giving me information on refinancing and other things I never understood. I only stayed on the line because I wanted to ask them why their website hasn't been working for months now. I've had to mail in the last few bills because of it, but never did ask because I realized she probably wasn't in that department and I got tired of trying to understand her.

You know, I had the unfortunate displeasure of having to work at an outbound call center many years ago. It sucks. There is a script you are required to read, if someone says not interested we were required to rebuttal and we can't end the call.

I know those calls are frustrating but there is no reason to be rude to the person on the other end. Just politely decline the offer and hang up. Screaming at them, telling them to shut up, telling them your fake life story, really really unnecessary and rude.