The best way to deal with telemarketers is to tell them to put you on their “do-not-call” list. (The phrasing is important; see this site (or, more specifically, this script) for details.) I was under the impression that you had to do this for each company who calls you, but some states now have state-wide do-not-call lists that apply to all telemarketers.
If you live in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, or Wyoming, check out this site to find out how to opt-out of all telemarketing calls all at once.
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© 2001–9 Mark Pilgrim