We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

In Business, what is a Boiler Room?

Michael Pollick
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 11,234
Share

Certain unscrupulous telemarketing operations are often run from cramped, low-rent office spaces with little more than desks, laptop computers and phone banks. Employees of such companies are expected to make unsolicited phone calls, also known ascold calling, to potential customers in the local area. Quite often the product or service being sold over the phone is a fraudulent stock option or a membership in a local police or firefighters benevolent association. Because the telemarketers perform high pressure sales jobs in less-than-desirable office space, many people refer to the workspace as a boiler room.

A boiler room is generally a movable feast in business circles. Owners of these telemarketing firms rarely stay in one location for more than a few months, and may even have to pack up overnight if a formal complaint about their operation is lodged. This is why many boiler room operations may actually be based out of office basements, private homes or even hotel rooms. As long as the boiler room operators can obtain local telephone service and basic utilities, the quality of the space is a secondary consideration.

Employees who work in a boiler room may be encouraged to use dishonest sales tactics and high pressure techniques to reach a quota. They may be working "in association" with a recognized brokerage firm, for example, and have an extremely good investment opportunity to share with preferred customers. In many cases, the preferred customer is often elderly, or a retired investor. A boiler room stockbroker does not stop at the first rejection, however. He or she is allowed to berate the potential client for passing up such a lucrative investment, or use other strong language as intimidation.

Quite often the stock option or investment opportunity pitched by the boiler room telemarketer is either fraudulent or highly speculative. The victim is not given an opportunity to examine a prospectus or verify any other claims made by the caller. The decision to invest in the proposal must be made by the end of the phone call, with little time for consideration. Many times these high pressure sales tactics end with a sudden disconnection, but the boiler room operators only need a few completed transactions to cover their expenses and realize some profit. A boiler room telemarketer may make several hundred cold calls a day, but only needs a handful of closings to meet his or her quota.

A boiler room telemarketing operation can be considered legal in many jurisdictions as long as the owners possess proper business licenses. It is not uncommon to see advertisements for telemarketing jobs posted on college campuses and in local newspapers. Magazine subscription renewals and local charitable organization fundraisers are often handled through fairly reputable boiler room operations. More unscrupulous boiler room operations, however, employ seasoned telemarketers who are quite familiar with high pressure tactics and aggressive cold calling methods. These operations may appear suddenly in a new location and be gone just as quickly. A boiler room is no place for social introverts, to say the least.

Share
SmartCapitalMind is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to SmartCapitalMind, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
Discussion Comments
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to SmartCapitalMind, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide...
Learn more
Share
https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/in-business-what-is-a-boiler-room.htm
Copy this link
SmartCapitalMind, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

SmartCapitalMind, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.