Article: In telemarketing calls, know what you're after

Maine humorist Tim Sample tells a story of a man who enjoys a meal in a diner. The waitress asks if he wants dessert. "Does it go with the meal?" he asks. "Yes," she responds.

After enjoying his pie, he notes the bill includes a charge for the treat. "I thought you said it goes with the meal," he questions. "It goes great," she answers. "It just doesn't come with it."

That's the approach taken by many telemarketers, including one extra aggressive type who pestered a senior Mainer recently. The seller's won't-take-no-for-an-answer approach left her confused, frustrated, upset and agreeing to much more in purchases than she'd planned. We've advised her to take the matter up with Maine's Bureau ...

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