So, in these days of declining subscriptions and revenue, newspapers are doing all they can to get readers.
Which makes this sales call from the Cleveland Plain Dealer (to yours truly) almost inexplicable.
Let me recreate as best I can:
RING
Me: Hello?
PD Saleswoman: Hi, I'm calling from the Plain Dealer. (laughs). Before you hang up ...
Me: (laughs). OK.
PD Saleswoman: We're just calling to see if you're interested in subscribing to the Plain Dealer.
Me: No, I'm really not interested.
PD Saleswoman: Well, we've made a lot of changes. We've added a lot of new sections ...
Me: Sorry, I'm really not interested at this time.
PD Saleswoman: CLICK. Dial Tone.
That's right ... the PD saleswoman hung up on ME when I turned her down.
There was no "Well, thanks for letting me take a few minutes of your time."
There was no "Sorry to have disturbed you this evening."
There was no "Well, if you reconsider, just log on to Cleveland.com or call this number and we can hook you up."
It may actually have been the first time in my life that a telemarketer hung up on me. I was actually the nice one in this relationship.
Hey, Plain Dealer, if this woman works in-house, it might be time for a discussion.
And if she's outsourced through a call center, you might want to find a new provider.
A dying industry shouldn't rely on rudeness to sell papers.
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