Before You Call Be Sure You Know Who To Ask For

A salesman telephoned a household, and a four-year-old boy answered.

The conversation went thus:
            Salesman: May I speak to your mother?
                        Boy: She's not here.
            Salesman: Well, is anyone else there?
                        Boy: My sister.
            Salesman: O.K., fine. May I speak to her?
                        Boy: I guess so.
At this point there was a very long silence on the phone. Then:
                        Boy: Hello?
            Salesman: It's you. I thought you were going to call your sister.
                        Boy: I did. The trouble is, I can't get her out of the playpen.

 

Save yourself a lot of costly time and work. 

Make sure you know the name of the decision maker.