Noble use for old whistles!

[justacoach]

Since I no longer officiate, I have repurposed my supply of Fox 40s.

I keep one near each phone extension. When unwanted calls come from phone solicitors, surveys or wrong numbers I indicate a violation with a hearty blast from the whistle.
Keeps me in game shape and significantly reduces future interruptions.
Much more effective than asking to be removed from calling lists

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by justacoach

Since I no longer officiate, I have repurposed my supply of Fox 40s.

I keep one near each phone extension. When unwanted calls come from phone solicitors, surveys or wrong numbers I indicate a violation with a hearty blast from the whistle.
Keeps me in game shape and significantly reduces future interruptions.
Much more effective than asking to be removed from calling lists

This true story takes during the mid-1970s during the Ancient Days before the time of Fox 40s when we used Acme Thunderers. My dad and I had a contract to do finish carpenter work for a house contractor that including three homes that he had built. When it came time to get paid the contractor told (in the figurative sense) my dad he would never see a penny. For those who know the difference between the Mafia and the Black Hand, this schmuck was a Black Hand wanna be.

My dad took him to small claims court and won. My dad knew this schmuck was not going to pay up so my he put a mechanics lien on his place of residence. Immediately, we started getting profanity laced phone calls at dinner time from one of his thugs. The third time he called I took care of the thug, as soon as he started his tirade I blasted him with my Acme Thunderer. He let out a blood curdling stream and the calls stopped for good.

The best part was three years later my dad gets a call of this schmuck's lawyer. The schmuck couldn't sell his home because of the mechanics lien. Before the buyer's bank would okay a mortgage the seller, I mean schmuck, had to pay off the mechanics lien plus three years interest before he could sell the house.

MTD, Sr.

[Mark Padgett]

Great story MTD!

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by justacoach

Since I no longer officiate, I have repurposed my supply of Fox 40s.

I keep one near each phone extension. When unwanted calls come from phone solicitors, surveys or wrong numbers I indicate a violation with a hearty blast from the whistle.
Keeps me in game shape and significantly reduces future interruptions.
Much more effective than asking to be removed from calling lists

While humorous in the abstract, please don't actually do this. No one has those jobs because they like them, they have them because they don't have a lot of options. They don't deserve abuse and possible ear injuries. (MTD's story is a whole different ball of wax . . .)

[justacoach]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

While humorous in the abstract, please don't actually do this. No one has those jobs because they like them, they have them because they don't have a lot of options. They don't deserve abuse and possible ear injuries. (MTD's story is a whole different ball of wax . . .)

No humor intended, this is a running battle against the unsolicited slime who try to contact me.

I employ some sophisticated measures to protect my tranquility from intruder's calls.

The innocent call for donations from the local Boy's & Girls club never reaches my phone, and are therefore spared.

Anyone who is persistent and capable of ringing my phone after running through that gauntlet of countermeasures fully deserves 'the treatment'.

[Altor]

I too have used a whistle on a unwanted caller. I was getting a rash of "Windows support" calls trying to tell me my computer was infected. When I'm bored, I'll play along for a few minutes before I tell the guy to stop scamming people and get a real job. A couple of times, I happened to have my whistle near the phone. I let him have it.

As so_cal_lurker suggested, I wouldn't use it on a true telemarketer or somebody soliciting legitimate donations. But, these guys are scum who prey on the elderly and the naive.

[loners4me]

who gets marketing calls anymore??? geez..
Ditch the landline and watch caller ID on your cell.

you can ditch the pager as well....

[Adam]

Originally Posted by loners4me

who gets marketing calls anymore??? geez..
Ditch the landline and watch caller ID on your cell.

you can ditch the pager as well....

This.

Also get rid of the fax machine.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Adam

This.

Also get rid of the fax machine.

Can I keep my carrier pigeons? You know, for when the world ends.