Kind of Irritating

Had a couple of phone calls w/ reps from on-line sites....selling advertising. Quite the talkers. While I can agree that phone selling is a most difficult thing to do, these guys sure do talk themselves out of a sale.

Has anyone been solicited to hold ladders for insurance adjusters? (this guy was particularly annoying) Evidently it pays quite well

I like Mikes approach but I don't have time to mess with them. "Please take me off of your list" is all you have to say. If they keep calling it's harassment. I keep a spreadsheet list for all of the recorded sales call, I listen all the way through and press whatever number lets me be removed from their list. It slows down the number of calls after a while. I had over 100 last year, and those were only the ones that I was in the office to answer. Probably another 100 that I wasn't here for. Must be profitable or there wouldn't be so many.

"Is Andy there?" Yeah, speaking. "How are you doin' today, Andy?" Fine! Thanks for asking! Click

I love my caller ID. I never talk to ANY of these sales gimmick people. When I see the out of area, toll free caller, unknown name and number, etc. I just hit the little red button on my phone that stops it from ringing any more. If it's really an important matter, they will leave a message.

You guys lead exciting lives. All I get is you haven't updated your Google listing calls.

Lefty Said: I that for Grip Inspections.

?

I that for Grip Inspections.

Diamond saw blade sellers are what I used to have to deal with the most. Somehow, if you buy from one of them, more seem to know.

We were involved helping give evidence for one of these places suing another. One of their guys started his own company and took customer lists with him. I bought blades from him in the past and just assumed it was the same place. He used the same name, Joe Hops (when you need blades, Joe Hops to it). Turns out that wasn't his real name, surprise, surprise. The first company owned it.

"What are you wearing right now?" LOL :laugh:

Mike H Said:

twill59 Said: ... I think we was nuts.

...

I think we erased all doubt at least a decade ago. LOL

There are two calls I get all the time. 1. The electrical cord, PPE, small supply guys, and they always call after 5 pm cuz they think the boss is the only one answering at that time, and they always say Michael, buddy (Michael is a dead give away that I dont want to talk to you)... I either hang up or, if Im just on the computer, I put them on speaker phone and I let them talk their fool heads off.

2. Stock brokers. Everyone of them that ever calls, always talked to me with a hot tip that goes Do you remember my name? No. Well, thats OK. I gave you a tip on XYZ, have you been following it? Up 4000% in 3 months....

I really have fun with these guys. I tell them Tony, Im just a dumb roofer. I make my millions selling and putting on roofs. I aint got time to be foolin round with none of them stock things. Tried er oncest and lost my shirt, my wallet and they darn near got my britches too. No siree, if you wanna git yer hands on this ol hicks money, you gotta go through Jean Robert (think french and rhymes with Shawn Row-bear). Its Jeans job to take my 30-50% I make on them roofs, and preserve it with a 10-14% return. As long as he aint losin me money, Im a happy ol man.

Of course they keep pushing for a committment from me, and I keep answering their questions, but always bring it around to JR. When I think they are sufficiently exasperated, I will finally say Listen Tony, I dont know what part of this conversation you are having a hard time with, but the only way yer gittin yer hands on my money is through Jean. If you can convince him youre worth a shot, then hell throw ya a quarter of a million dollar bone to see if you got any real talent, or if youre just a phone jockey.

They are insulted, mad, wanna hang up... but that Quarter of a million dollar bone is just TOO much for them to take. The have no idea what the hillbilly on the other end of the line is really worth, and through the clenched teeth, you can almost hear the saliva gurgling in the back of their throat. They will always ask, So just much is your portfolio worth or Just how much is Jean managing for you?

Ill say Well, Im not that bragadocious and we dont know each other well enough for that kind of information sharing, but Im sure its enough to get your attention or you wouldnt be doing cold calls.

Well, OK, Ill talk to Jean

Then I put them on to Bob P. and he has the most awesome gay-french dude with a bad lisp act that hell play for 15 minutes or so until he finally gets around to the only question that really matters to him.... Tony, you sound kinda cute. So tell me, what are you wearing right now?

At which time they know theyve been had, and usually hang up.

It is hilarious.

For those times when Bob isnt in the office, and I have time, Ill let them go on, and on, and on.... and after about the 5th time telling them NO, they will ask something like, if you know you dont want to do it, why are you willing to talk so long?

To which I reply Because I know Im saving some other poor soul the misery of listening.

Usually they just hang up, but I did get a F*** You once just before the click.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....!!!! That's awesome. Jean Robert...lmao. That is an awesome story, & way to handle it.

I think he told $250-295 somewhere in that range natty.

So what kind of payment is this guy looking for?

That's hilarious Mike. Many times I just put the phone down and walk away ...when I come back they are usually gone.....When Joe was about 2-3 yrs. old I'd hand him the phone "Phone call Joe!" They usually hung up on him pretty quick

I told the extension cord guys I quit roofing and was now driving a truck. I was sincere, he fell for it and the phone calls stopped :cheer:

twill59 Said: Has anyone been solicited to hold ladders for insurance adjusters?

twill59 Said: ... I think we was nuts.

...

I think we erased all doubt at least a decade ago. LOL

There are two calls I get all the time. 1. The electrical cord, PPE, small supply guys, and they always call after 5 pm cuz they think the boss is the only one answering at that time, and they always say "Michael, buddy ("Michael" is a dead give away that I don't want to talk to you)... I either hang up or, if I'm just on the computer, I put them on speaker phone and I let them talk their fool head's off.

2. Stock brokers. Everyone of them that ever calls, always talked to me with a hot tip that goes "Do you remember my name? No. Well, that's OK. I gave you a tip on XYZ, have you been following it? Up 4000% in 3 months...."

I really have fun with these guys. I tell them "Tony, I'm just a dumb roofer. I make my millions selling and putting on roofs. I ain't got time to be foolin' 'round with none of them stock things. Tried 'er oncest and lost my shirt, my wallet and they darn near got my britches too. No siree, if you wanna git yer hands on this ol' hick's money, you gotta go through Jean Robert (think french and rhymes with Shawn Row-bear). It's Jean's job to take my 30-50% I make on them roofs, and preserve it with a 10-14% return. As long as he ain't losin' me money, I'm a happy ol' man."

Of course they keep pushing for a committment from me, and I keep answering their questions, but always bring it around to JR. When I think they are sufficiently exasperated, I will finally say "Listen Tony, I don't know what part of this conversation you are having a hard time with, but the only way yer gittin' yer hands on my money is through Jean. If you can convince him you're worth a shot, then he'll throw ya a quarter of a million dollar bone to see if you got any real talent, or if you're just a phone jockey".

They are insulted, mad, wanna hang up... but that "Quarter of a million dollar bone" is just TOO much for them to take. The have no idea what the hillbilly on the other end of the line is really worth, and through the clenched teeth, you can almost hear the saliva gurgling in the back of their throat. They will always ask, "So just much is your portfolio worth" or "Just how much is Jean managing for you"?

I'll say "Well, I'm not that bragadocious and we don't know each other well enough for that kind of information sharing, but I'm sure it's enough to get your attention or you wouldn't be doing cold calls."

"Well, OK, I'll talk to Jean"

Then I put them on to Bob P. and he has the most awesome gay-french dude with a bad lisp act that he'll play for 15 minutes or so until he finally gets around to the only question that really matters to him.... "Tony, you sound kinda cute. So tell me, what are you wearing right now?"

At which time they know they've been had, and usually hang up.

It is hilarious.

For those times when Bob isn't in the office, and I have time, I'll let them go on, and on, and on.... and after about the 5th time telling them "NO", they will ask something like, "if you know you don't want to do it, why are you willing to talk so long?"

To which I reply "Because I know I'm saving some other poor soul the misery of listening."

Usually they just hang up, but I did get a "F*** You" once just before the click.

I can tell you when my son is called out in certain areas if he is on the day rate will make a minimum of $ 600.00 +per day. He will use the ladder assist if necessary. If the event is large enough he will make much more than that working percentage of claim then be rolled over into clean up and move into the $600 + per day B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

He made it sound like it was that much per incident Chuck. He also mentioned needing someone to measure the roofs.....I said " why not Eagle View it? Who's gonna pay for the E View? I'm not" He never quite answered in any logical, informative matter

Rather bizarre. He was tripping over himself telling me all of his education, credentials and seminars blah blah blah....and YOU TOO can become Haag Certified. I think we was nuts.

Ever hear of the Claims Pages? That's where he was from

This was worse than the adjuster last year who told me I need to work for Amish wages if I wanted any insurance work. Which would then of course make me extremely rich.

WTF :silly: :dry: :S :laugh:

My youngest son is an independent Cat adjuster. Some large hail events in certain areas they will provide him with " Ladder Assist". He tells me they are paid around $200 .00 a day. B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day