A Bizarre Call About Home Remodeling

The phone rang mid-morning, just as I finished talking to a recruiter about a potential accounting position. I didn’t recognize the number, but like many of us, I answered out of curiosity — it could be important like another recruiter. What I didn’t expect was to walk away from the call bewildered, a little frustrated, and honestly, amused by how bizarre it turned out to be.

A very dull voice on the other end greeted me and quickly launched into a script-like pitch. The caller immediately asked if I needed any exterior renovations. I kindly decline as HOA normally takes care of that. Next, he asked if I needed any interior renovations. Again, I politely declined as my home was fair new built in 2020, so nothing really came to mind.

Now, this isn’t a completely unusual call. I understand companies do cold outreach. It’s part of the business. Some people are genuinely in the market for these services, and for those folks, it might even be a timely and helpful call. But in my case, I wasn’t interested. I had no plans for remodeling — not now, not soon, and not later. My home is in good shape, and even if I were planning a project, I’d go through trusted referrals and not make snap decisions from a random phone call.

So, I politely responded, “Thank you for reaching out, but I’m not planning to do any remodeling at this time.”

I expected the usual wrap-up — a courteous “Thanks for your time” or maybe even a “Would you like us to follow up in a few months?” Instead, I got… silence. Then, suddenly, the tone changed completely.

The caller snapped, “Get off my phone,” and just like that — click. They hung up.

I sat there for a moment, blinking at my screen. Did that really just happen?

Apparently, it did.

The Irony of Rudeness in Sales

This whole interaction left me thinking about how absurdly counterproductive that behavior was. The point of a cold call — especially in sales — is to connect with a potential customer. Even if someone doesn’t need your services right now, how you treat them leaves a lasting impression. And believe me, I now have a very clear impression of that person… and not a good one.

If they had simply thanked me for my time and offered to keep me in their system for future contact, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. But instead, they left me with a story that’s now a warning for others: customer service — or lack thereof — can make or break your business.

A Reminder About Boundaries

We often forget that we have no obligation to answer unsolicited sales calls, let alone entertain rude behavior. It’s one thing to say “no thanks” politely. It’s another to be insulted for doing just that.

I think it’s important to share these small stories because we live in a world where spam and scam calls are rampant, and people have grown understandably cautious. But even legitimate businesses can sometimes cross lines they shouldn’t.

As a homeowner, I get it — you’re a target for all kinds of services. From solar panel installers to insurance brokers to remodeling companies, your phone number feels like it’s on a dozen lists at any given moment. That’s why it’s essential that the people making these calls treat potential customers with basic respect.

A Message to Businesses That Cold Call

To any business out there relying on cold calling to generate leads, here’s a piece of advice: respect goes a long way.

You never know when someone who’s not interested today might need your service in six months. And you certainly don’t win anyone over by lashing out when they politely decline. A negative experience can spread just as fast — if not faster — than a positive one.

Unfortunately I didn’t get the name of the company because, honestly, this post isn’t about shaming a specific business. It’s about highlighting the importance of professionalism and respect in all customer interactions — even when the answer is “no.”

The Bottom Line

Getting a random call offering remodeling services isn’t out of the ordinary. But being yelled at and hung up on for declining the offer? That’s a new one.

So next time you get a cold call, remember you have every right to say no without apology. And if you’re a business making these calls, treat every person on the other end with courtesy — because how you end a conversation matters just as much as how you start it.