I would usually tell them, with tears in my voice, that if
I spent another dollar on the phone my husband would beat me!
Once a nice young man, with a southern accent, called, then he
apologized a lot and hung up. Then, a few minutes later, this same
young man called me back, and gave me the name and phone number
of our local Women's Shelter!! And he made me write it down and then
repeat it to him.
I felt about 2 inches high, this guy was so sweet. I've never done that
routine again!!