Why Does Nobody Answer Their Phone Anymore?

[cypress]

I use Hiya as well and it has cut down significantly the amount of calls I was getting before. Even then I will get spoofed numbers that call me and it says Telemarketer on it.

I screen all calls unless I am expecting a particular call. If they don't leave a voicemail I won't call back.

 

[GTP]

I take all calls, but if there is a delay before they say anything I hang up.
If they have an "indian" accent - I hang up.
If I hear any clicks, pops or static - I hang up.
If there is any number with weird area codes or numbers shown on screen it's added to my blocklist.

 

[frase]

My phone displays as Spam [Samsung S8]- never answer it unless bored

 

[TechLady]

Because the phone has become a cesspool of endless telemarketing calls.

Ding ding ding! Correct

 

[phaZed]

Ding ding ding! Correct

That's a good article, thanks for sharing.

For the calls I get, make sure to never repeat your "Hello!?" - the computer is listening for that, and other keywords, so that the automated dialer can hand-off to a call center... if it's automated, it will hang up if it does not hear a keyword or more "noise".

 

[Archon Prime]

My phone displays as Spam [Samsung S8]- never answer it unless bored

That is a hiya plugin. I have the same phone. well S8+.

 

[Abramsgunner]

Ding ding ding! Correct

I just got my 76 year old father to quit answering every call.... I swear he was getting a sales calls about 3 per hour (funny because he never buys anything).

I had to explain to him that the old-school social contract of answering the phone has been abused/broken by the telemarketers and we need to get him an answering machine so he can screen his calls...LOL

 

[mikeroq]

I get those and the voicemail not setup messages.

"I'm sorry but the person you've called has a voice mail box that has not been setup yet."

"Hey its Joe Smith blah blah blah" "The mailbox is full. Goodbye"

 

[glricht]

If there is any number with weird area codes or numbers shown on screen it's added to my blocklist.

Which is a major problem for me. Here in Florida, a lot of my customers are "snow birds" meaning they live here in Florida in the winter and then return home for the remainder of the year. Almost all use their home-based cell phone while here and when they call, my caller id shows area codes/exchanges I've never seen before. And even if they move here and take up permanent residence, they continue to use their cell phones.

I've gotten to adding all my customers to my cell phone so I can see their name when they call. Otherwise, I often let the call go to voicemail and then return the call. Don't like doing that though.

 

[phaZed]

If there is any number with weird area codes or numbers shown on screen it's added to my blocklist.

Like @glricht - I have to answer weird area codes, too. Living in a state with many colleges, a few right here in the capitol... foreign area codes are a big part of my business. With number porting, I still have customers that have been here at least 5 years and they never got a local area code. Sucks.

 

[GTP]

I just got my 76 year old father to quit answering every call.... I swear he was getting a sales calls about 3 per hour (funny because he never buys anything).

I just wish my 86 yo father-in-law would throw his mobile phone in the bin and take up knitting or something!

I get at least 3 visits per week because "I can't answer this stupid thing!" "What button do I press?"...

or...
(I set up message bank for him with a simple message... "Hi, Jack cant answer right now so please leave a message...")

"Everytime I get a call and I don't answer it in time YOU answer it for me!" "Why are you answering my calls!"

or...
"Owen, (son-in-law) said he sent some stuff on Facebook!" "What is all this gibberish on my phone?"
What's this http://facebook.com/Jack/28hhjy8ddfgtsblahblah garbage for and why is it on my phone!?"

or the classic...
"This stupid phone goes off and I can't use it!" (Screen times out and goes dark)
Me: "Just press the power button once Jack...It's on the right hand side..."
Long awkward pause...
"Which one is the power button?"


I don't know how many times I explained, written in large print on A4 paper, printed instructions etc, I still cop it!

 

[nlinecomputers]

Just get him a big button flip phone. https://www.walmart.com/ip/BLU-Joy-...75035&wl11=online&wl12=55286016&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[GTP]

The one he has is similar to this: https://ilcaustralia.org.au/products/20951?search_tree=666

Thinking of getting him this: https://www.kisaphone.com.au/seniors.aspx

 

[TechLady]

Do it! That looks pretty good.

In the states we have this: https://www.greatcall.com/phones/jitterbug-smart-smartphone-for-seniors

 

[GTP]

They have Jitterbug here too, definitely worth looking at.

 

[Your PCMD]

I take all calls

You didn't take my call when I called.

I don't have an India accent either.

If there is any number with weird area codes or numbers shown on screen it's added to my blocklist.

I don't live in AU, so, maybe this was the case?

Or maybe, just maybe, your 24hrs or so ahead of me and my daytime is your nighttime.

Regardless, my number should come through as Your PCMD on your caller ID.

 

[glennd]

Or maybe, just maybe, your 24hrs or so ahead of me and my daytime is your nighttime.

Maybe my math is off but if he were 24hrs ahead of you then your daytime would be his daytime?

 

[Karl00]

I find it lazy and irresponsible for people to not call back and to not check their voicemails. If I call a business for service, and they don't pickup then they have lost my business unless they call back. Full voicemail boxes I see on the regular. How many repaired devices are you guys holding? I regularly have 20+. After three months, I close these tickets and claim the devices.

 

[GTP]

You didn't take my call when I called.

I don't have an India accent either.


I don't live in AU, so, maybe this was the case?

Or maybe, just maybe, your 24hrs or so ahead of me and my daytime is your nighttime.

Regardless, my number should come through as Your PCMD on your caller ID.

PM'd ya.
Something weird going on 'cause I have no record of your call??

 

[maclaptech]

This is very annoying. I really hate trying to contact customers. They never pickup. I'll get multiple contact numbers. Their voicemail boxes will be full. Some act like you never contacted them.

Send them a text. I do it all the time.