what should I have done?
Oct. 5th, 2005 12:37 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
knittinggoddess.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
techrecoveryI work at the computer help desk at a small college. The other day, I get a phone call from a telemarketer.
Me: Computer user services, this is [me]
Telemarketer: Hi, can I speak to the person in charge of laptops and purchasing?
Me: *with telemarketer-o-meter going off* May I ask what about?
Telemarketer: I have a laptop security product he would be interested in.
Me: Let me put you on hold.
I do so, and tell the nearest full time staffer that I have a telemarketer on the line selling laptop security.
Full timer: *shouts to our boss* Do we need any laptop security products?
Boss: What? No? What?
Most of us at the desk are in favor of just keeping the guy on hold until he gives up and goes away. Instead, I tell the guy that nobody around is authorized to make any purchases and since he wants to know, tell him that he can call back later, and write a ticket warning those who have the later shifts.
So. Telemarketers. Ever gotten one at work? How did you handle it?
Also, to the girl who wanted her password changed: you need ID. I don't care if it's your school ID, expired high school ID, passport or driver's license, I just need something that shows who you are. No, I don't recognize you, why would I? Are you that famous?
To the people who stroll into the labs, sit down at an already logged in computer and start working (including printing): what is going through your head? Don't you realize that someone else's email inbox is right there? That the print screen does not say your name? Seriously, people. You've been here for a month now, at the very least, and you don't understand that every single public computer on campus requires a login?
Me: Computer user services, this is [me]
Telemarketer: Hi, can I speak to the person in charge of laptops and purchasing?
Me: *with telemarketer-o-meter going off* May I ask what about?
Telemarketer: I have a laptop security product he would be interested in.
Me: Let me put you on hold.
I do so, and tell the nearest full time staffer that I have a telemarketer on the line selling laptop security.
Full timer: *shouts to our boss* Do we need any laptop security products?
Boss: What? No? What?
Most of us at the desk are in favor of just keeping the guy on hold until he gives up and goes away. Instead, I tell the guy that nobody around is authorized to make any purchases and since he wants to know, tell him that he can call back later, and write a ticket warning those who have the later shifts.
So. Telemarketers. Ever gotten one at work? How did you handle it?
Also, to the girl who wanted her password changed: you need ID. I don't care if it's your school ID, expired high school ID, passport or driver's license, I just need something that shows who you are. No, I don't recognize you, why would I? Are you that famous?
To the people who stroll into the labs, sit down at an already logged in computer and start working (including printing): what is going through your head? Don't you realize that someone else's email inbox is right there? That the print screen does not say your name? Seriously, people. You've been here for a month now, at the very least, and you don't understand that every single public computer on campus requires a login?
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Ahhh wonderbar telemarketers
Date: 2005-10-05 03:10 pm (UTC)Usually, I just hang up on them, especially if their accent is so thick I have to think about what they said to understand what they said.
When they ask for the person in charge? I give them the main 1-800 number to the purchasing department in Tallahassee, where they can APPLY to be a vendor. I explain they have to apply to be a vendor. They go what? I said to even solicit, they have to apply to be a vendor.
You can always tell someone they have to apply to be a vendor, in other words, the requirements are a notebook, in quintuplets, bound and in color, with pricing, and 6 references complete with services rendered, phone numbers and addresses. Well you get the point. AND if someone ACTUALLY does that, then they are not just a run around telemarketer, they are truly someone looking to add business in a legit manner, and were forced to make a cold call.