Caller ID and 'private' calls

I have caller ID. I am sick [!][!] of getting 'private' calls which are usually tele marketers or scam calls. I have an answerphone, so if it a private call and they don't leave a message then I'm guessing I didn't want the call anyway. If it is someone I know or a legitimate call then they would surely leave a message. If it is someone I know and I hear the caller leaving their message I usually pick up.
What are your thoughts on 'private' calls? How do you handle them:confused:?

Like you I get sick to death of telemarketers. They almost always ring when I'm either cooking dinner, or eating it and I get really cross. If we didn't have elderly parents who may call for help at any time, I'd let all calls go to the answerphone. One of the latest bugbears seems to be automated messages that depend on a voice recognition word, such as "hello" before they start their spiel. If no answer, they cut off. Even some of the banks are in on this annoying habit and call 8.30 at night, just for a chat about their services. That annoys the hell out of me too. I figure I have been in the public dealing with people all day. I like my time in the evenings to be my time.

I can always tell it its elderly parents or family members because I have their numbers in the phone and a different ring tone when those numbers ring. I do operate a business from this number as well and may possibily miss a few calls for that by not answering 'private' numbers, oh well if thy can't leave a message.....

whenever I get a call from Victim Support, they are always blocked numbers (I'm a volunteer) or if I'm chasing up details from the police, when they call back it's always from a blocked number.

I simply ask the telemarketer for their name and number, and tell them that I will call them back as soon as I'm free... *I'm never free.....

My dad does exactly that...his partner tells me he walks over to the phone, squints, reads that it's private and walks away [] so you're not the only one

I used to do it sometimes when I had caller id but mostly curiosity got the better of me...I do miss not having caller id

Anyone can withhold their phone number from appearing on Caller ID devices not just telemarketers or scammers. We withhold ours.

Every person has a right to privacy.

We withhold ours, too. And hardly ever do I leave a message, especially not when it's a business I'm calling. I just call another business where they pick up the phone.

I don't find the telemarketers too bad. I get maybe one call per fortnight and yes, it usually is when I'm cooking or we are eating. I just tell them I'm not interested and hang up. Finished. Where's the problem?

I need to be able to contact my clients, if they hide their contact number then I don't want their business, I'm very happy not to answer their calls.
Also there is one nut case that I hardly know (have met at a couple of social outings) that rings and waffles on and cries and raves, she also hides her number, I wonder why? I'm happy to avoid her along with the telemarkters and scam artists

^^^

Strange way of doing business but that's your perogative. If you were to ignore my call because I withhold my number I take my business elsewhere. No skin of my nose.

Did you know that there is a reverse phone directory for NZ landline numbers? Put in a phone number and it gives you the name and address of the holder of that number.

All highly illegal as it contravenes the NZ Privacy Act, the same act that enables me to withhold my residential phone number.

i cant see y you would wnat your number hidden unless you were victum suport or something.

Interesting site , could help some of us.

This is even better This will definitely help deal with these calls. [}][}]

OMG, I really want to opportunity to use this one.

People withhold their numbers for all sorts of reasons.

Telemarketers can be working from home for a pitifully small commission and don't deserve abusive call backs so withhold their number.
My sister in Auckland received several abusive calls after one of her pre-teen sons dialed a wrong number and some nutbar took exception and used his caller ID to access their number. She now is a 'private number' on our caller ID.

I don't refuse to answer number withheld calls as some overseas relatives' and businesses' numbers aren't recognised by our caller ID. If it is a telemarketer they are told we aren't interested. If they start by 'chatting' I ask them what they are selling and then tell them we aren't interested. No problem.

I also answer all calls, if I am home, as a lot of my customers, particularly the elderly ones, do not like leaving a message on the answer phone. They may or may not ring back until they get a person answering.

Only been caught out once - the phone rang at 4am,[:0][:0][!] so got up and answered it. It was a customer in Canada who knew the call to be out of office hours and was expecting it to be answered by a machine - she did not realise our business phone is also our home phone.

I also just tell the telemarketers thanks, but no thanks as they are only doing a job. The only ones I get really annoyed with is fax machines. We do not have a fax and its very annoying as they try 3 times to get a connection.

I have on occassion picked up the ph and told who ever on the other end to *^^* off. Usually these are calls made weekdays about 9am the person hangs up when you answer the call or don't say anything. What they are doing are casing the joint out, rural number, owners at the cowshed or dropping kids at school, checking to see if someone is home, I reckon.