Psychic Hotlines: Who calls them?
by Veronica Johnstone
Hundreds of people consult psychics for various reasons.
Some ring them for entertainment or curiosity. Others desire some certainty or reassurance in their lives.
But some call psychics for everything from emotional support to tax advice. People pay up to $33,000 a year for their hooked hotline habits says Auckland University lecturer Dr Robin Shepherd.
Victoria University student association officer Clelie Opie recently lost her job for racking up thousands of dollars on psychic phone calls.
Auckland psychic Rose Goodliffe took over 2000 calls while working for several psychic hotlines. She says female callers mostly rang to ask about their relationships, money and career.
Some dialled her 0900 psychic hotline prior to meeting with their boss for example. Fearing their boss was about to fire them, they rang to be reassured that there was something else round the corner.
“I gave them hope,” says Ms Goodliffe.
“If a person is in a state of emergency, or really concerned about something, a 0900 number is immediate and they can get immediate answers.
“It can be a bit like a life coaching session.”
Auckland Managing Director Pam Martin consulted Ms Goodliffe for advice on setting up her new training business.
“I see her as an integral part of my business team. She has provided me with valuable insight and helped me avoid pitfalls. She is a valuable personal and business resource,” says Ms Martin.
Like everything, psychic hotlines pose a real danger for some unsuspecting souls. But people turn to psychics for professional business advice too. Not all psychic hotline callers are as gullible as skeptics would have us believe.
(Cartoon Artist Wayne Logue)