Telemarketers

Okay, I get it.  Non-profits need to earn money.  I understand that people need to sell their items.  I do.  I give them the benefit of the doubt and listen politely when I actually DO answer a call from an unknown number.  I've worked phones before and know how tough it can be. 

I received THREE phone calls today, all before noon.  THREE!!  The first one was for some organization that supplies wheel chairs and medical supplies to wounded soldiers who are returning back to the states.  A worthy cause, indeed!  However, I have never heard of this organization.  I have NO idea if it's legitimate or what my donation would actually be funding.  I responded very kindly to his script, fully intending to decline any request for money.  When asked if they could count on me, I responded with, "I'm unable to at this time and would appreciate it if you would take our names off your list."  Then I heard "WOW!"...click. 

Yeah, I know. It sounds insensitive.  Especially when thinking about the 'cause' that they were supporting.  But think about it, can we REALLY support EACH organization that calls for money?  Are ALL the organizations legitimate?  They answer to these questions is a huge NO!

The second call I received was for the Special Olympics.  A WONDERFUL organization.  The caller said upfront she wasn't requesting money (yeah right) and went on to tell me how they support the Special Olympics. Again, after she finished her script, she asked if we could support them with a subscription to a magazine (here we go).  I politely declined.  I told her, as I told the first person, to take me off of their calling list.  This time, I didn't receive any negativity. 

My third call of the morning was for SENIOR CITIZENS!  Where do they get this?  Fortunately for me, it was an automated call and I could push a number to opt out of further calls (does this make them call back, knowing it's a 'good' number?).

I do want to be polite and respectful.  Perhaps I just need to go back to what I was doing; turning the phone on then off right away.  See, I have to answer the phone or it will wake my husband (he works nights).  I would simply let it ring in the evenings, too, but I've actually had some important calls come through that APPEARED to be a telemarketer.  Gah!  What to do.  I just know that the polite and respectful way isn't working.