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Annoying idiots
May. 28th, 2013 09:42 pmGot a couple of calls today from out of state. Both times, I answered the call, but repeatedly saying "hello" got no response.
So I called the number back. Turned out to be the Scientologists. *Many* years back (late 80s) I let some friends who belonged talk me into some classes.I quit in the middle one when it it turned out that I'd been lied to. I'd *specifically* asked about auditing because I had severe trust issues and no way was I going to go thru that.
Well, halfway thru the class, out came the E-meters and we were to practice auditing on each other. My complaint was met with "well, it's not *real* auditing". I'd have sued to get the money back, but I happened to know that if I did, my myfriends wouldn't be allowed any contact with me anymore (it's part of official policy. Really).
Anyway, the woman who answered asked if I'd used to live on XXX street. I had, but that was 20 years ago. and, possibly *after* I took the classess. She claimed they needed to update their mailing list info.
Oh yes, I repeatedly mentioned that I'd quit the course because I'd be lied to. She acted shocked, and claimed it was wrong and they don't do that any more. Trouble is, I had a chance to browse thru some of the official procedures manuals (which I shouldn't have been let anywhere near) and lying to get people into classes was actually considered a valid tactic.
Yeah, maybe they've changed. I wouldn't bet any money on it.
I informed her that all she needed to do was mark me as not wanting any contact and hung up. She called back. We went round and round a lot.
She said I just have to get some info, it'll only take a minute". She lied.
First of all, the info she wanted was what classes I'd taken. No reason for them to need that to mark me "no contact". Failing that (it'd been 20+ years) she wanted to try to get some ideas as to what sort of stuff the classes involved. I kept telling her that *all* she needed to do was mark my number "do not call". She kept insisting otherwise.
She also (tellingly) claimed that that only applied to solicitors and she wasn't ome. And that the fact they'd had previous contact exempted them from it (not after 20+ years and a number of address and phone number changes!).
After quite a bit more than the "minute" I hung up on her again. She didn't call back this time.
I emailed my friend (yes, I still know him after all these years, and described ythe incident and noted that he should inform the local HQ that this sort of thing was *very* much not appreciated (and hinted that he'd better not be where they got my number).
I also noted that I was going to look up their address and send thema letter notifying them that any firther contacts would be charged at my consulting rates. With a one hour minimum. (yes, this is quite legal, and many a telemarketer and other calling/mailing annoyance has learned the hard way that they *do* have to show up in small claims court and they *do* have to pay, if they were formally notified of the charges.
Not sure if I actually will write the letter. For one, thing, that'll give them a current address. Which is likely what they were trying to get in the first place.
If I do, I'll include postal mail, email and telephone contacts, with a few exemptions. They'd be able to mail me about the notice *only*. No "informational" contacts. And if my address or phone number changes, they'll get *one* free contact (which will result in a repeat of the "do not contact letter).
I should probably send copies to the regional, national and world HQs too (yes, they *are* that persistent and are likely to try to claim other branches weren't aware of the notice if I don't)
It's like a fungus that you just can't get rid of.
So I called the number back. Turned out to be the Scientologists. *Many* years back (late 80s) I let some friends who belonged talk me into some classes.I quit in the middle one when it it turned out that I'd been lied to. I'd *specifically* asked about auditing because I had severe trust issues and no way was I going to go thru that.
Well, halfway thru the class, out came the E-meters and we were to practice auditing on each other. My complaint was met with "well, it's not *real* auditing". I'd have sued to get the money back, but I happened to know that if I did, my myfriends wouldn't be allowed any contact with me anymore (it's part of official policy. Really).
Anyway, the woman who answered asked if I'd used to live on XXX street. I had, but that was 20 years ago. and, possibly *after* I took the classess. She claimed they needed to update their mailing list info.
Oh yes, I repeatedly mentioned that I'd quit the course because I'd be lied to. She acted shocked, and claimed it was wrong and they don't do that any more. Trouble is, I had a chance to browse thru some of the official procedures manuals (which I shouldn't have been let anywhere near) and lying to get people into classes was actually considered a valid tactic.
Yeah, maybe they've changed. I wouldn't bet any money on it.
I informed her that all she needed to do was mark me as not wanting any contact and hung up. She called back. We went round and round a lot.
She said I just have to get some info, it'll only take a minute". She lied.
First of all, the info she wanted was what classes I'd taken. No reason for them to need that to mark me "no contact". Failing that (it'd been 20+ years) she wanted to try to get some ideas as to what sort of stuff the classes involved. I kept telling her that *all* she needed to do was mark my number "do not call". She kept insisting otherwise.
She also (tellingly) claimed that that only applied to solicitors and she wasn't ome. And that the fact they'd had previous contact exempted them from it (not after 20+ years and a number of address and phone number changes!).
After quite a bit more than the "minute" I hung up on her again. She didn't call back this time.
I emailed my friend (yes, I still know him after all these years, and described ythe incident and noted that he should inform the local HQ that this sort of thing was *very* much not appreciated (and hinted that he'd better not be where they got my number).
I also noted that I was going to look up their address and send thema letter notifying them that any firther contacts would be charged at my consulting rates. With a one hour minimum. (yes, this is quite legal, and many a telemarketer and other calling/mailing annoyance has learned the hard way that they *do* have to show up in small claims court and they *do* have to pay, if they were formally notified of the charges.
Not sure if I actually will write the letter. For one, thing, that'll give them a current address. Which is likely what they were trying to get in the first place.
If I do, I'll include postal mail, email and telephone contacts, with a few exemptions. They'd be able to mail me about the notice *only*. No "informational" contacts. And if my address or phone number changes, they'll get *one* free contact (which will result in a repeat of the "do not contact letter).
I should probably send copies to the regional, national and world HQs too (yes, they *are* that persistent and are likely to try to claim other branches weren't aware of the notice if I don't)
It's like a fungus that you just can't get rid of.
