katfireblade

You know what I hate? Asshats who honestly believe that guilt tripping a client is the best way to get money out of their pockets.

"Box Q, How can I help you?"
"Hi, this is Jeffrey with the Tsunami Relief Fund, and I'd like to speak to someone about...."
In a brit accent, no less.

Now, I'm all for helping the people over in Asia, and have been trying to figure out how to do my little part. I even tried to get my boss to speak to the man. My boss saw him as a telemarketer and possible scam and refused.

"I'm sorry sir, but he's not interested."

Instant hostility. Cue beligerance, guilt tripping, and downright aggression.

"Not interested? Is he not concerned, not scared? Is he not worried about this situation?"
"Sir, I think what he's trying to say is that we dont have it to give."
"Dont have it to give? Why, from what I hear his business is doing very well. How can he not have it to give? (this line of beligerance continues)"

Our business is, is it? Really? And where did your telemarketing ass learn this little fact? The internet? I dont think so. If you had access to the sites that give you that information, you'd also have access to know this wasnt the parent company and you wouldnt have wasted our goddamned time calling us, but instead would have called Jon directly.

"Sir, he is not the owner of this company, someone else has control of the finances."

Three times, it took me three times saying this for it to sink in. He was too busy talking over me and flying the fuck into me for simply relaying my boss's message. I'm just a secratary, what does he think I'm going to do, change the man's mind?

Finally:
"Well, who is in charge then, can I have their names?"

Lets see...you have guilt tripped me, flown into me like I'm the enemy, and all but called me names at this point. What shall my answer be..?

In my best honey-sweet voice:
"Thank you sir, and you have a nice day." *click*

I hope he's fuming.

I understand this is an emotional issue. I understand these people need help. I understand its a crisis and a tragedy. I understand people are starving and dying, I really do understand that. But I am not the enemy. My boss is not the enemy. If I am to give, it will be through a trusted chairity from an official online site, or a donation sent physically to the chairity. I will not pledge credit card numbers to a voice on the phone, and I most certainly wont pledge a dime to someone who's trying strong arm me out of it with guilt and people's bad fortune as their weapon. Thats not only wrong, its obscene. Whoever the brittish Jeffrey was, he can kiss my lily white ass.