I have to disagree somewhat. I'm not rude to poll takers and I just hang up on the charity calls (though some like the Policeman's Benefit Society are scams).
Telemarketing, however, was oft exploitative even when it involved legit products. I dated someone who worked in data for calling center which did polling and before she quit she was gathering stats for marketing. Those most vulnerable to pitches are least able to afford it - the old, the isolated, the easily intimidated, the mentally unaware, etc. It's part of why she quit.
Post do not call list, telemarketing is increasingly predatory (or flat illegal in defying the list). The Car Warranty calls now driving people crazy are attempting to scare folks into a policy designed never to pay out. More than ever it targets groups who can't or don't use the do not call list, again the most vulnerable.
I've worked in jobs and activism which involve telemarketing target groups and I lack sympathy. One might take the job in naive desperation, but it's not hard to figure out the job involves trolling for easy marks, especially now. It may suck to get paid minimum wage for a job which takes advantage of people who are as bad if not worse off, but if one chooses that path, it kind of should suck. It's the sort of job one should do badly then quit.
no subject
Telemarketing, however, was oft exploitative even when it involved legit products. I dated someone who worked in data for calling center which did polling and before she quit she was gathering stats for marketing. Those most vulnerable to pitches are least able to afford it - the old, the isolated, the easily intimidated, the mentally unaware, etc. It's part of why she quit.
Post do not call list, telemarketing is increasingly predatory (or flat illegal in defying the list). The Car Warranty calls now driving people crazy are attempting to scare folks into a policy designed never to pay out. More than ever it targets groups who can't or don't use the do not call list, again the most vulnerable.
I've worked in jobs and activism which involve telemarketing target groups and I lack sympathy. One might take the job in naive desperation, but it's not hard to figure out the job involves trolling for easy marks, especially now. It may suck to get paid minimum wage for a job which takes advantage of people who are as bad if not worse off, but if one chooses that path, it kind of should suck. It's the sort of job one should do badly then quit.