I know I am tired of telemarketers. I handle the phones for the most part and am constantly being interrupted by some poor attempt at doing a solicitation call. I have not figured out which is worse, the recorded message or a person that would rather do something else but they do not have the "credentials" to do anything but phone soliciting. Having been a telephone soliciter once I try to have patience with the humans but sometimes that is a useless concern.

Here are some questions to ask the next human solicitor you happen to have annoying you. Remember, inaction just means it will continue.

Print these questions, and put them next to the phone. Telemarketers are required by law to answer each of these questions. Write the answers down and as well as the date, time of the call, and anything else that will help you remember the call.

• What is your name?
• What is the name and address of the company you represent?
• Do you work for [company name] or do you work for a telemarketing firm? (Few companies do their own telemarketing, even when calling their own customers. Ask the person calling if they work for the company they are representing, or they work for a telemarketing firm. 
• What is the company phone number?
• Please put my number on your "Do Not Call List". In essence, there are two Do Not Call lists - the National Registry and a company's internal do not call list. Most telemarketers, even those that are exempt from the Do Not Call Registry, are still required to maintain their own company-specific do not call list. If you are contacted by a company that is exempt from the National Registry, you can request to be placed on the company's internal do not call list. You can take advantage of this strategy even if you do not subscribe to the National Registry.
  • If the company calling is a telemarketing firm, ask for your number to be put on both Do Not Call Lists: the telemarketing firm and the company they are representing.
  • Also, ask whether they make calls for any other companies. If they say yes, ask them not to call you on behalf of any entity.
  • If you ask a company with which you have an existing business relationship to put you on their company-specific do not call list, that company can no longer call, even if you continue doing business with them. If you request to be placed on the do not call list of a company with which you have an existing business relationship, your request will not apply to their affiliates. If an affiliate calls, you will have to request to be placed on that company's do not call list as well.
• Please send me a copy of your "Do Not Call" policy. Companies are required to provide you with their Do Not Call Policy on demand.

After this they probably won't call you again. But save your notes, and if the company does call more then once (they are allowed to make one mistake) in a 12 month period, then you can file a complaint with your local small claims court.