>-Any response tells them that the number is valid because someone or something answered. That will get your number sold to more list buyers and create more calls.

Like I said, there are four people who still call me on that line. So I will answer.

>-They are paid to listen to abuse so you're really not making an impact.

They are paid to make a call. It's the number of calls, regardless of any sales they make. Most of the time they don't even get past saying their company name, let alone mentioning the product or event they're calling about. Which is ridiculous - why would I buy anything from a company which throws money on such a wasteful advertising campaign, where nobody cares about any results, what matters is the number of calls made.

For a long time our phones were wired so that the conversation can't be broken until the recipient breaks it, so I'd just let it hang near my left speaker, enjoying free music for a while or at least occupying one of their lines. Then the technology changed, I'd say by their request.

>-Yelling at other people, while it might feel good at the time, ultimately damages you.
>
>Best action- let it ring if you don't recognize the number.

One thing I hate about telecoms is that their own marketing is among the worst. Why can't I pick services one by one? No, it's always bundled with at least four others. So I never opted for caller ID because I don't like the rest of the bundle. If by some miracle I had it, I'd invest in a phone which would let them record a message - leave your name and a message and I'll call you. Then I'd start going to the worst websites, register under fake accounts and leave their phone numbers there. Then be sad for not being able to listen in while they fight it out among themselves.