Before we broke down and got a landline (well, cable phone) last spring, our cell phones had been our lifeline to the world for more than five years. I grew accustomed to life without those pesky telemarketing calls, especially during meal time.

When that first salesperson called within hours of Time Warner installing our system, I didn’t know what to do. I sat there listening to their spiel and even threw in some “uh-huh’s.” My adept skills of quickly cutting in, politely saying “no thank you,” and then hanging up without a second thought were MIA. It was a combination of skills I learned over the years from my Italian, raised-in-the-Bronx, no-nonsense mom and my dad’s sweet (as in nice and ice tea) Southern roots. Luckily, it didn’t take long for me to slide back into my old ways.

Then it happened. Last week, the phone rang. I checked the caller ID and saw the 1-800 number. Usually, I would let it go to voicemail. But something told me to answer. As I readied my script, the woman’s automated voice on the other end started telling me about 12 packs of Coke for $1.99 and white seedless grapes for 99 cents a pound. She offered me the option of hearing more specials or requesting not to be called again. GIVE ME MORE MRS. HARRIS TEETER! I envisioned a cart full of Coke Zero (one of my only addictions) and a fruit salad overflowing with juicy grapes.

For the first time ever, I received a telemarketing call I not only wanted but also acted upon. The next day I was in the Leland Harris Teeter loading up my buggy with four 12 packs of Coke Zero (there was a four-item limit), grapes and stuff that wasn’t on special. Brilliant!

Harris Teeter takes telemarketing to a level I’ve never experienced. To get a call, first you have to be an e-Vic member, which means you’re already interested in trying to save a cent or two. They tease you into the store with great savings on a few items, knowing you’ll buy more once you’re inside. Most importantly, they allow you to easily opt-out.

Other companies take note – that means you Bank of America. Just because I’m a customer, does not mean that we need to touch base 3+ times a week via the phone. Yes, I know the “great news, I personally qualify for a credit card through your branch.” While I’m very excited to be one of the lucky few (yeah, right), I’d like to pass along the value to another customer – please, please pass along the value and quite calling. Now, I’ve never had a stocker, but I imagine that this is kind of how it plays out. I just hope it doesn’t take me breaking up with good-old Bank of America to get the point across.

As for Harris Teeter, you’ve got the goods and can call anytime. Thank you for getting telemarketing right!

By Sarah