Annoying Sales Calls

Why do I bother to answer the phone when I don't recognize the number? It is almost always some annoying telemarketer? They rattle on and on, and when you finally get a chance to say no, they still don't stop. I know these people are only doing their jobs, but they drive me nuts.

Since we have switched to only using cell phones, the amount of sales calls we receive has dramatically decreased. Most of them now come from companies we already do business with, but our number has made it to several other lists. The one we seem to get most often come from those trying to sell magazines. I often don't answer the call when I don't recognize the number. Rarely do they leave a message.

Then I wonder who it was that was calling. Annoying Callers is a free database where users can list the numbers that are calling them and share information on who the caller was and what they wanted. It may not actually stop the calls, but it is a nice reference to check.

What I don't get is how these telemarketers stay in business? Everyone seems to be annoyed by them. Do people actually buy things from them?