[jsarno]

I used to have a lot of problems with telemarketers, around 20 calls a day (seriously) so I got an unlisted / private number and I never ever ever give it out. I mean to only family and friends...no other place. I have not given it to medical facilities, rental places, no where, and I get 0 telemarketing calls.

I do however get door to door marketing...and holy crap that annoys the dickens out of me. A lot are Democrats trying to get me to vote for them, oddly enough I have not seen any republicans doing this. I also get a lot of foriegn speaking people selling pure crap. So I don't even answer the door anymore.

In terms of telemarketing, I always liked the Jerry Sienfeld approach. Ask them for their home number and you'll call them at their home.