Treating A Telemarketer With Respect

This afternoon, a telemarketer called to present the carpet cleaning services of the company she represents. I asked her name (Kristin) and listened quietly as she made her presentation. At the end of that presentation, calling her by name, I told her I understood how tough these calls are to make and I admired her for having the courage to make them.

I told her we are on the "Do Not Call" list and she immediately apologized and gave her assurance we would receive no such calls from her firm again. I thanked her, told her she sounded like a very nice lady and wished her a nice evening. She expressed her good wishes to me as well as we both hung up our phones.

Kristin made a fine professional presentation and she sounded like a woman in her 50's or 60's. This is a tough economy and I doubt she would be making these calls and subjecting herself to repeated rejections, some with phones slamming in her ear, if she didn't need the money. And she likely is working largely or completely on commission, meaning she makes little money or doesn't get paid at all if someone doesn't buy from her.

As I thought about the call afterward, I was thankful to have been so courteous to her, treating her as I would want to be treated were I cold calling. But I was regretful I didn't buy anything from her even though I could afford it and although we didn't need her carpet cleaning services. For it was easy to see my oneness with her as I am coming to see my oneness with all of mankind. If I met her in a supermarket or a drug store or was introduced to her by a mutual friend, it would be a pleasure to do business with her, no cold call needed.

By doing that, I would be giving her a helping hand, as in like circumstances, I would want someone to give me a helping hand, not with a handout but by doing business with me.