Sales Calls

Sorry folks gotta let off some steam ............................................ ................


Why oh why oh why - if Im registered with the Telphone and Fax Preference Service am I plagued with about 20 computer generated sales calls a day

They did stop for about 6 months and then started up again about 3 months ago and are getting worse - yet Im still registered with T/FPS.

I phoned BT and asked what they can do and they said - register with the T/FPS and I said I already am.

Everytime one phones, I ask them not to call anymore and that I am registered with T/FPS and they still keep calling

Last night one phoned in the middle of Eastenders and I screeched down the phone - "HOW DARE YOU PHONE IN THE MIDDLE OF EASTENDERS - GO AWAY!!!""" (now Im beginning to worry myself !!! )

Any ideas anyone? - Im at my wits end

Registering with the TPS is one step, but you've also got to be very careful when filling out forms to say you don't consent to being contacted, etc.

The automated calls are unlikey to be from people who've legitmately obtained your number. They could well be from overseas frims that don't abide by the UK rules in which case you've stuffed.

The only way around that would be to go for anon caller reject, but that'll cost and won't reject callers who provide a number.

oh they are the same with me and also registered. If I am bored they can be very entertaining at times. I am a bit slow so it takes me so long to understand what they are trying to sell/say. See how long you can keep them on the line and waste their time.

Next time - see how many times you can get them to say the word "SV650"

There seems to be nothing you can do to stop them, just be as rude as possible!
I used to treat them like a verbal punchbag - Had a bad day at work?? Let off some steam at someone who gets paid to take it!

[fizzwheel]

I had one tonight, first time in ages since I registered with TPS. I just put the phone straight down again.

I used to either ignore the phone and then do 1471 to see if it was anybody important or if I was really bored, I would pick up the phone and then answer, then I'd put the phone handset down on the table and just let them talk to themselves for 10 minutes or so... I figured they'd get the message after that.

Its really driving me nuts - I get it all day and all evening this evening Ive had 2 calls (amongst others) from the same company WTF????? even after telling them once not to phone me anymore - they phoned me again 30 minutes later

[fizzwheel]

Often though the people who you are talking to will have no control over who they phone. It can be done automatically so that you're just being rung by being selected off a list...

Its a bit poor though that they are not taking you off of the list. Take a name of who you spoke to and some company details and then phone back and ask to speak to a manger.

Failing that, buy an answering machine and screen your calls.

[Spiderman]

I used to do telesales many, many moons ago so i can see this from both sides of the fence.
I know its not fun to get these calls at home especially if younare getting them this often. As some others have said you can take 2 routes here.
1. Just hang up staright away and dont let them get to you. Say nothing at all.
2. Give them a load of verbal abuse, may make you feel good but some poor sod has to hear that a few hundred times a night, so as long as your concience can deal with that then go for gold.

My own personal favourite, kinda like Gmonsta's, is to ask them random questions back till they get so baffled that they wanna finish the call.

Something like this...

Caller: "Hello Sir, i am calling to blah blah blha....
Me: Can i ask you one thing first, what colour are your shoes?
C: Errr, brown. Now i am calling from balh blah...
M: Oh really, how are your stock prices currently. Is it a good company to buy shares in do you think?
C: Errrrm. Oh Thats not my job, Sir. just want to know blah blah.
M: Thats nice for you, tell me is your hair short or long? And have you ever suffered from dandruff?

and on and on till they get so bored, or amused, by you but realise they are getting nowhere fast they end the call.

My basic ida is to never answer their questions, let alone listen to them, and politely interupt them and ask pointless random questions. It can be quite amusing to have them on the back foot struggling to find the right response to your "objection" from their script. Yes they really do have scripts and "objection handling" answers that they have to learn and follow.
Especially good if they call fom India as they are baffled by this behaviour and have no idea how to deal with it.

It can be quite fun. Sometimes.

Oh, or change your number and never let anyone have it. I'm not being flipant btw, that is a genuine option tho a bit of a hassle if you've had your number for years and all your friends and family need to get used to a new one.

[dirtydog]

those sorts of calls really annoy e to. But what annoys me more is when you're at the shops andsome one approaches you to see if you want to change your landline supplier. Now shopping is not exactly fun at the best of times and especially when you're gewtting hassled by people trying to get you to sign up for stuff

My favourite is:

"what are you selling ?"
"really, I've got one thanks, by the way, who's your IT Manager, as I sell IT Solutions and need some leads"

Get's them baffled that one

I've had the same people phone us a couple of times on the same night, I ended up just being rude every time they asked a question.

.