For some reason, I seem to be on a list that contractors (painters, builders, etc.) purchase of "leads" — folks who might be needing home repairs or remodeling. I don't and if I did, I have such people I've used before and would use again.
I guess it's a sign of the economy being what it is that about once a day, I get a call that goes pretty much like this except for the caller's name, the name of his or her company and the way they pronounce "Evanier"…
THEM: Good afternoon, Mr. Evainieer, I'm Chuck Chuckworthy of Flotsam Construction. We're working in your area and we heard you might be in need of a good contractor.
ME: Sorry. Yours is about the fortieth one of these calls I've had this month. I don't need any work done and if I did, I would have picked one of the folks who got to me before you did.
THEM: Okay, sorry to have wasted your time. Bye. Click.
There are variations but that's pretty much how they go. Today, I got one that went just like that around 10:15 AM. Two minutes later, I got one that went like this…
THEM: Good afternoon, Mr. Evinaar, I'm Bob Bobworthy of Jetsam Construction. We're working in your area and we heard you might be in need of a good contractor.
ME: Sorry. Yours is about the fortieth one of these calls I've had this month. I don't need any work done and if I did, I would have picked one of the folks who got to me before you did.
THEM: Hey, I don't need any of this negativity bullshit. I'm just trying to make money. Click.
Makes you almost want to call the man back and hire him, doesn't it?