Been hung up on by a telemarketer?

I have, just today.

I am by nature, fairly meek and almost faultlessly polite. I always listen to what a telemarketer has to say (even if I'm not interested or in the middle of something else), before I politely decline their amazing offer. But lately, I fell like I'm being harassed.

This afternoon was the forth time in about ten days I've been rung by someone from a company called Smart Getaways and been offered special prices on accommodation in top New Zealand and Australian hotels. "This is not a time share offer; these deals are available in well known three and four star hotels throughout Australia and New Zealand" (see, I was listening).

The first time I told the operator I wasn't interested, the poor guy sounded like he was going to cry. Apparently everyone's being saying no lately. The second time I was called, a couple of days later, I politely extricated myself from the call by telling them that I'd already been rung recently and I still wasn't interested. Third time, I cut the operator off as soon as she said 'Smart Getaways'. Again I informed them that I'd already been called, I wasn't interested, and I asked to be taken off their database, or whatever it was they were getting my name from. The caller apologised and said she'd see that it was done.

Today when I answered the phone and was informed that it was 'Rachel from Smart Getaways', I just started saying no. "No, no, no, no, no," I said. "You're the forth person to call me from this company in just over a week, I want to talk to your supervisor." It was about then I realised I was talking to a dial tone.

So here I am with a couple of questions for you all - 1. how on earth do you get off these peoples phone lists; and 2. does anyone know of a body in Australia (where the calls are originating from) or New Zealand I can report them to?

I've done a little web based research into the company and have discovered that they were the subject of a 'Campbell Live' (NZ investigative news program) story last year, under a different name, and were found to be dodgy - to say the least, that's why I have no qualms at all about mentioning their name in this post. I just haven't been able to find anyway to contact them.

It's so annoying to have the first thing I've posted for seven months to be a moan. I apologise.

I'd also like to say thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. I did end up making a complaint about the doctor to the medical centre, which was forwarded to the medical council, and (eventually) resulted in a review of the doctor's competence. She is currently on maternity leave and I'm yet to hear if she will be back at the centre once that is finished, or if she will be practicing at all. Needless to say I now have a different doctor at a different medical centre. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting to have my tonsils and adenoids removed, and despite the fact that I'm currently healthy I still have to pop my ears several times a day to clear blockages. The ENT *hopes* that the problem will clear up once I have my operation. I like hope.