Telemarketers

This evening I returned from a failed attempt at a run (topic of next post) and started cooking dinner. A telemarketer called to inform us of our selection as recipients of a free vacation. Keeping her on the phone long enough to google the business she named as the prize's sponsor, I stumbled across a slew of Trip Advisor reviews for this "travel club". I guess one of the strategies employed by the telemarketers is relentless phone calls (shocking, I know) while they try to lure you into attending a membership presentation. Not surprisingly, the whole thing is a high-pressure scam, but one of the reviews made me laugh aloud. I felt compelled to share part of it here:

Well, they called to remind me of my appointment today. I could hardly contain my excitement. They were going to have refreshments and everything: different kinds of cookies and the choice of juice, coffee, or tea. I picked juice, then I thought about it for a while then changed it to coffee. It took me at least 5 minutes to decide but the lady on the phone was very patent and waited while I weighed the pros and cons of each choice. I finally decided on cookies and coffee. Too bad I had no intention of showing up.

About eight tonight I got a call from that all too familiar toll free number. As soon as I answered the phone, I asked them what happened and why were they so hard to find. I told them I could make it tomorrow night and they needed to make sure to call me and remind me. I spent the next 15 minutes reconfirming the free travel package and the free gas. I told her I would only except cash since I don't trust banks cause they help fund terrorism and I wanted the $300 to be paid in $20 bills. Apparently I can only get coupons but that won't stop me from insisting on cash. About 10 minutes later after going over the entire package again, I thanked her for her time, promised to be on time, and told her I would be bringing the kids! heh heh. As she was frantically saying, "No No, you can't bring......" I casually hung up. I'm actually looking forward to talking to her tomorrow. My wife thinks it's a sickness and that I need to get a hobby. Opinions vary.