Today i got a call from a financial company asking me to take a loan which they were supposedly offering at very lucrative rates.
I had read an article in newspaper about how people do not opt for “DO not call” option, and then get irritated afterwards. I was one of them, till this call came!
I got this call when i was exhausted by giving a full fledged lecture on correlation and it’s application in economics! So i was enjoying my coffee when this girl called. Otherwise if such kin of calls come, i thank the caller and hang up. But surprisingly this one lasted for 3 whole minutes..! it was like this…
The girl from that financial company: Good afternoon ma’am, am i talking to Mr. Vijay Deshpande?
(This annoyed me!)
Me: No, you’re not. And if you’re saying good afternoon ‘ma’am’, then it cannot be Mr. Vijay Deshpande!
Girl: Oh I’m so sorry ma’am, actually this number is registered with this name, that’s why I said so. I’m really sorry for that.
Me: Okay fine. Tell me.
Girl: Ma’am, if I have annoyed you, then I apologize again for the mistake!
Me: I said it’s okay. Come to the point.
Girl: Thank you ma’am. Actually I’m new in this company, and this is the first assignment given to me, that’s why I’m a bit nervous.
(I thought, “Okay girl, no problem. But that has got nothing to do with me. Are you by mistake considering me as a counselor or something??!?!”. But i didn’t say these things, instead….)
Me: Ok. Have you called to tell this?
Girl: On no, no ma’am. Actually I’m calling from **** Financial company. I wanted to brief you about this new personal loan which we’re floating in the market.
Me: Ok. Thank you, but i’m not interested.
Girl: Please ma’am, at least let me tell you about the loan. I’m sure after listening to the benefits which our company is offering, I’m sure you’ll want one.
Me: No please! In that case please don’t! I already have one loan, and i’m in no mood to take up another.
Girl: Oh, if you’re not in a good mood ma’am, I’ll call you sometime later.
(What?!??? is she crazy? Or have i said something like that??)
Me: Look, i think you do not understand. I am saying that i don’t’ need a loan as of now. And if i need any, i’ll surely let you know.
Girl: Oh that’ll be great ma’am! Do you want my number? So that whenever you want it, you can let me know.
(Now i started laughing!)
Me: Well, no, i don’t. But i’ll surely call your office and ask for you. But as of now, please i don’t need any loan.
Girl: Okay ma’am. But in that case, let me just tell you about the offer. So that you can save time later.
Me: Oh, is this offer for lifetime??
Girl: No, this is our special Christmas offer.
Me: In that case, when i need one, that time this offer will be changed.
(There was a pause for a moment. I thought she will give me some reason and will hang up. But again, i was surprised at the reply she gave!)
Girl: No ma’am, I’ll ask my manager to keep this offer especially for you!
(Oh how sweet! And how stupid!! Now i really thought i’ve wasted enough time on this call. So tried to be a l’il adamant.)
Me: That’ll be nice. But i think you’ll need to first check with him whether it’s possible. And i know it is not.
Girl: How do you know that??
Me: (Now really frustrated!) Because, anybody who’s eligible to take loan would know this. (But I should not expect you to understand!!) And because i teach this subject, so don’t even bother.
Girl: Oh okay ma’am. I think I’ll come to you someday to understand these things.
Me: Yeah sure. Bye!
And after this, i started to enquire about “Do not call” option!
