I’ve worked in a secure government building for years and not once has the phone rung in the elevator I use until now. So, thinking it might be something important, I say “Hello” and immediately some telemarketer, who just happens to have a work crew in the vicinity wants to come by my house and survey it for solar panels. When he finally stops for air, I simply say, “Dude, you called an elevator.”

I get an immediate apology and he hung up. Hmmmmm, I think I will try that next time I pickup by mistake and there is a telemarketer on the other end. Of course, I could have given him the address but that might have annoyed the guys with guns and badges when a work crew showed up so maybe it was best I didn’t.

It's happened twice to me at work. They just dial every possible number. Fire alarm system uses phone lines to call FD and the sometimes will call the elevator or dialer.

A real live telemarketer? A person? Wow. All the ones I get are robocalls.

Say, with as much enthusiasm as you can muster, "Yes! You called at just the right time! 00Let me go get the homeowner, I think he would be interested!" - then let the phone hang by the cord for the next elevator occupant's amusement.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
A real live telemarketer? A person? Wow. All the ones I get are robocalls.

Once you say hello though, that triggers the robo call to go to a human. I like picking up the phone and not talking.

I was riding an elevator once and some dipshit teenager got on, pushed every button on the panel, including the emergency button, and then bailed out. A few seconds later a 911 (I guess) operator called and I had to explain what had happened. She said in a frustrated voice that it happens quite frequently.