Actually, I have fielded my fair share of recruiter calls. As I said in my parent post "we don't pay recruiter fees - never have, never will" is usually enough

Actually, I have fielded my fair share of recruiter calls. As I said in my parent post "we don't pay recruiter fees - never have, never will" is usually enough. You might have to say it twice and leave them hanging but it is a pretty direct response. It's not saying "no I don't want to use a recruiter" - which creates the opportunity to try to change your mind. It is saying I don't pay the fees, which is a fact and leaves them little room to argue. I can sit there and agree with the virtues of a recruiter but then I say 'yeah but I don't pay the fees'. And we're done. From a sales funnel perspective it positions me as not being a prospect because I'm not in the market to make the purchase/expenditure.