For sure. I was mostly referring to online "deals" with my comment, but it definitely applies to phone solicitation, too.
I personally ignore almost any phone call from unknown numbers these days because so many are scammy or robocalls. I figure that if anyone really needs me, they'll leave a message.
I keep on getting robocalls from a Chinese scam for more than 1 to 2 years now. I don't understand Chinese but asked a friend to translate and it's obviously a scam aimed at older chinese expats. They always leave the same message. Im surprised it still works after all this time.
I avoid all solicitation in general. If I want something I research it and buy it. I never make a purchcase based on an incoming offer of any sort even if I want the item or service and it’s a good deal.
It avoids 90% of scams before I even enter the funnel.
I once went to a car show where Samsung was showing their Android Auto connectivity. They had a raffle for a 49" 32:9 monitor, I put in my name. A few weeks later an email came saying I had won. Of course I thought it was a scam, on second reading I remember giving my details for the raffle, and I genuinely had won the nonitor..
I was at some festival where they had a raffle like this, thinking it was harmless, I put in my name and number. A week later I get a call that I have won a vacation but I need to come and attend their seminar.
It was some sort of buy timeshares which work across multiple properties around the world. Total cost was $10-15K but you can make low monthly payments. After the loan is paid off, you can stay for free during your vacations.
I did some rough calculations and thought it was worth it. But when I asked for better pictures or addresses of their properties, they could not provide it. They were getting frustrated and kept saying why you care what your room looks like, who stays in their room on a vacation, etc. After their refusal to give any such info, I left but there were other people who were signing up.
Later, I learned that these are indeed scams, and I got lucky that I didn't sign up with them. Their properties might be run down, and the company might fold after a few years and you will lose access access to "their" vacation properties.
To their credit, they did give me a a gift certificate for low end hotels chain.
Jeez, the timeshare industry is infamous for overpromising and not having the best properties or security for your 'investment' but not even having glossy brochures and maps to show customers giving out buying signals is really low effort for $15k
If the only way to sell those goods is with aggressive, high-pressure sales pitches & environments it's a good sign nobody actually wants that product and that entire industry should be regulated away.
There's been a few times where I've found out after the fact that the deal really was real, but I'd rather miss out on a good deal than get scammed.