http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news...etail.html

Woman Gets Threatening Letter After Hanging Up On Telemarketer
El Paso Police Investigating Phone Call
UPDATED: 11:35 AM EST December 7, 2004

A Detroit-area woman received a threatening letter in the mail after hanging up on a telemarketer calling from Texas, according to Detroit TV station WDIV.

Jill Beyer, of Waterford Township, Mich., said she received the letter about one week after she refused to donate money in a recent call from a telemarketer.

"He wanted a donation for the veterans' association, which the veterans don't get that much of that money. That's why I wouldn't donate to him," Beyer said.

Beyer (pictured, left) said the man refused to take no for an answer so she hung up the phone.

"I slammed the phone very hard," Beyer said.

The letter arrived postmarked from El Paso, Texas. The first lines read, "Before you are rude to another telemarketer, you should keep in mind that he or she has your phone number and your address. Many of them live in your own state and most don't give a (expletive)! "

(Full Letter)

Jill Beyer,

Before you are rude to another telemarketer, you should keep in mind that he or she has your phone number and your address.

Many of them live in your own state and most don't give a (expletive)!

So, Ms. Beyer, the next time a telemarketer calls and you don't want to be bothered, a simple "not interested" will do.

Your son or daughter or next-door neighbor's daughter could very well be a telemarketer. A handicapped, wheelchair-bound person could be a telemarketer. A biker or ex-con is more likely to be a telemarketer. You really, really shouldn't (expletive) with them!

As they say in the telemarketing industry, "Have a good day Ms. Beyer!"

"It makes me nervous. Obviously he's not playing with a full deck and even my kids are nervous," Beyer said.

El Paso police are reportedly taking the threat seriously and are searching for the person who sent the letter.

Hey, be nice. I was a telemarketer once. For one day. Actually, about 4 hours, if that. And, I really hated it.

I was briefly a door-to-door salesman (or should that be salewoman) trying to get sign ups for charity in the summer. I didn't last that long (3 days).

That's pretty scary stuff though.

Hey, be nice. I was a telemarketer once. For one day. Actually, about 4 hours, if that. And, I really hated it.

I have caller ID. If the call comes through as "unknown," which ususally means a telemarketer, I just don't answer.

I have caller ID. If the call comes through as "unknown," which ususally means a telemarketer, I just don't answer.

I get very few telemarketing calls because I only have a cell phone, no home phone. Many of the automated dialing thingies they use don't call cell phones. Once they get you, telemarketers can be very pesky though. Often a simple "I'm not interested" is ineffective. :confused:

I get very few telemarketing calls because I only have a cell phone, no home phone. Many of the automated dialing thingies they use don't call cell phones. Once they get you, telemarketers can be very pesky though. Often a simple "I'm not interested" is ineffective. :confused:

That may change soon. Most cell phone companies are planning to create a white pages for cell phones! If they do, our cell phones will be fair game for telemarketing!

YIKERS!

BTW - by law, if you say, "I am not interested. Please take my name and number off of your list." The telemarketers are supposed to do so and end the call. However, not everyone follows this rule. Try it next time, it usually ends the call quickly and on a fairly nice note.

-Rip

That may change soon. Most cell phone companies are planning to create a white pages for cell phones! If they do, our cell phones will be fair game for telemarketing!

-Rip

I hope then that they are planning on instituting a policy to refund (or not charge - or not charge incoming minutes) those minutes, or else there are going to be a TON of pissed off customers.

Once they get you, telemarketers can be very pesky though. Often a simple "I'm not interested" is ineffective. :confused:

I say (in peppy tones) "I'm not interested, but thanks anyway" and hang up on them. If you're nice to them, they'll talk forever.

Lisa

I have caller ID. If the call comes through as "unknown," which ususally means a telemarketer, I just don't answer.

Or those pesky credit card companies wanting their money. I mean come on! They should have known better than to give me credit!

I get very few telemarketing calls because I only have a cell phone, no home phone. Many of the automated dialing thingies they use don't call cell phones.

I got an e-mail the other day stating that cell phones were being opened up to telemarketers come January 1st so if you're not already signed up with the Do Not Call registry you may want to consider doing so.