The Face Behind the Phone: The Telemarketer and You

I wrote to you before on "How to Get Rid of Telemarketers." I hope you're using the tips and regaining your sanity.

This time, I'd like you to better understand some of the personality behind the person on the other end of your phone when you hear those dreaded words, "Hello, may I speak with___?..."

The man or woman you hear is not much different from you. They awake each day; tend to their "personal hygiene routine," and step out the door with a mission on their mind, "Sell! Sell! Sell!"

Why are they like that? One track-minded and determined to sell at any cost? Their paycheck depends upon it.

The typical TM earns a base pay of minimum wage and some a little bit more. Not much, just a little.

Many companies that hire TM's - also known in the industry as CSR's, offer financial incentives to employees to sell all they can. These often are monetary rewards called "bonuses".

You are familiar with these. You may get yours at Christmas, and it's a pretty good bet, it is a good sized amount. A reward for a "job well done".

Well, we too work for ours and receive them with each paycheck. Sometimes they can exceed the original amount of the paycheck. This is because the TM has "busted their butts" and worked as many as 10-12 hours a day, 5-6 days a week to sell anywhere between 50-200 products a month. Some even do that on a weekly basis. GOD BLESS 'EM!

I personally do the bare minimum and maybe a few more above. If I make 20 in a week I am lucky. (You have to understand...I ain't killin' myself for nobody's check! It ain't that serious.) *Pardon the poor grammar.*

I have actually seen some sell twenty-five a day!

Now, add to that, the average price per sale over the set minimum is about $3.50 each, and you see why some do what they do.

Add it up:
35 hours (X 2 weeks)
Pay rate: $7.50/hr
Total $562.50 (bi-wkly) There is also time and 1/2 for any hours over eight worked any given day with a $0.50 bump per hour

Bonus: $3.50 per sale over minimum (varies depending on TM)
(i.e. - 100 sales) $50x 2 weeks
$350.00 bi-wkly

Other incentives: Best salesperson of week/month/quarter, etc
Amount ranges from $25-600.00

And this does not include the "side bets" companies make by offering gift cards, cash-on-the-spot contests, now you see why some are so driven.

If you add all of the above figures, you can earn on an average bi-weekly check of: $ $562.50
$350.00
Overtime Pay
Bonus/Incentives, etc
This all equals= ONE FAT CHECK!

But look at what they spend it on:
Rent/mortgage
Insurance (auto/home/health)
Education (children, not theirs)
Car (mostly repairs - can't afford new)
Carfare - some can't afford cars, or cannot drive
And the essentials: food, laundry and somehow, some entertainment.

I know, you're thinking, "Let me pull out the World's Smallest Violin", but think about it...could you do it day-in, day-out. Continually being berated and belittled by total strangers?

How well could you handle being called EVERYTHING but by your name for eight to 12 hours a day?

Look for another job? Have you seen the job market lately?

Some have prison records and credit problems that prevent them from getting "mainstream" positions with good paying companies. Telemarketing will hire anyone. Often many times.

Many of us (self included) hate this job, but in a pinch, it is available.

So, the next time you receive a call from "us", be gentle, we're gonna have a bad day!