Sales Calls

need2ride, like I said, skype isn't for everyone.

My situation, I can be on call, and need to respond within 15minutes. It's handy if I have a single number that I can be reached on no matter where I am (in the world ).

IMO, skype is the best messenger invention made, and happens to tie in telecommunications too (which is why I started using it). Everyone should use skype, and then everyone would talk for free

Horses for courses really, but at least you'll start seeing it as having fun rather than being annoied

[Balky001]

I don't mind cold calls when they speak - its when their computer calls to verify your number is active. That really annoys me.

I wonder if cold calling works as so many companies do it. Talktalk called me the other day with what they thought was an unbelievable offer but as it was a salesman I just coudln't be bothered to listen to him. Anyway, I was having a look at suppliers online and TalkTalk do calls, line rental and broadband (up to 40GB) for £20 a month - nice one - so I changed supplier. But there's no way I'd have done that on a cold call.

Originally Posted by Balky001

I wonder if cold calling works as so many companies do it. Talktalk called me the other day with what they thought was an unbelievable offer but as it was a salesman I just coudln't be bothered to listen to him. Anyway, I was having a look at suppliers online and TalkTalk do calls, line rental and broadband (up to 40GB) for £20 a month - nice one - so I changed supplier. But there's no way I'd have done that on a cold call.

I don't get it either. It's not like spam which is dirt cheap to send ($100 for tens of thousands of mailouts), every time they call it costs them not only the cost of the phone call, but presumably at least minimum wage for the person calling. It seems insane that enough people actually buy their things to make it financially viable.

As you say, doesn't matter if it's a great deal, as soon as you cold call, I'm not listening. If I want something, I'll do the research myself and buy the one I want. Any form of hard sell makes me just say "Forget it." If they've taken me as someone who is easily coerced into things they've severely mis-read my character.

Originally Posted by Baph

need2ride, like I said, skype isn't for everyone.

My situation, I can be on call, and need to respond within 15minutes. It's handy if I have a single number that I can be reached on no matter where I am (in the world ).

IMO, skype is the best messenger invention made, and happens to tie in telecommunications too (which is why I started using it). Everyone should use skype, and then everyone would talk for free

Horses for courses really, but at least you'll start seeing it as having fun rather than being annoied

A lot of VoIP is free to other VoIP networks. Vonage for instance is what i use and it is free to most other VoIP networks (including Skype). You can also purchase a WiFi mobile which can be used at thousands of pay per use hotspots and all free WiFi hotspots. So i can use my home phone anywhere in the world

As a bonus, if the WiFi phone isnt reachable you can have it divert to any number including my standard mobile.

I Often use such calls to play the "Why" game.

Just ask why, over and over. Time how long it takes for the caller to get angry.

Good fun on a rainy day!

One time i got a call from T-Mobile, and the guy said "how much do you spend a month on calls" So i said "on average? less than a pound" "how does that work? you cant spend less than £10 on a top up" "I said it was an average, an arithmetic mean."

"So i cant save you money then?"

"Nope."

Which was far more amusing than the guy telling me I was stupid for not taking up his offer on free minutes and free txts a month. I kept saying i was very happy with O2 and didnt want his offer. The final time he said i was an idiot, I informed him I studied chemistry, and that I am more than capable of making a very informed and logical desicion on what mobile phone tarrif i wish to be contracted to, since it was a far easier question to answer than one regarding the nature of the chemical bond - which i can answer very well!

Dontcha just hate foreing call centeres aswell? I find that most of the people calling have very strong accents, and i cant follow what they say.

Hence the "why" game

Matt

Oooo - I know talking of the why game - next one I get Im going say "que?" (Manuel from Faulty Towers fashion) til they get fed up and bugger off

[northwind]

I like to take exception with their service, at great length- ideally withotu any gaps for them to interrupt. "Hi, this is Penicuik windows, we're in your area and thought you might like some double glazing" "Penicuik? My grandma used you lot, you were rubbish! Late turning up, made a terrible mess..." "WEll" "I'm not finished! And then, the things leaked!"

You get the idea And if they apologise, "Sorry's no good to me, she deserved compensation but she never got it" See if you can get their director's number

[Balky001]

Originally Posted by need2ride

Oooo - I know talking of the why game - next one I get Im going say "que?" (Manuel from Faulty Towers fashion) til they get fed up and bugger off

I like that - que, me no speaka the english

[Red ones]

I had one the other day..

"Hi, do you have a mobile phone?
"No"
"Why not?"
"I dont see the need" (I was lying I have 2 and use them constantly mainly for work)
"Do you want one?"
"No, I said I don't see the need"
"Have you got a BT Landline?"
"No"
"How am I talking to you now then?"
"Cable"
"How much do you pay a month?"
"Dunno - I don't pay the bill, not much though - don't like talking too much I guess"
"How much do you reckon?"
"Sorry, I said I don't know, largely because I don't know" (Lie number 2 - I know EXACTLY how much) "Look, cut to the chase, what are you trying to sell me?"
"Nothing, I am trying to GIVE you a free mobile phone"
"So, you want to give me a free phone, no money is going to change hands and I get a phone that I can use for nothing? Somehow I don't see how you can make a living from a system like this. So I suggest you go and spin a yarn somewhere else. **** off"

I use this and it is quite good.

(link should open a pdf)