Ways to stop overseas sales calls discussion

Redcase

I had a call on my mobile from a double glazing firm and said i`d love to have new windows in but i live in a tent,no more calls from them.

pkc_2

Its about time that BT supported International Caller ID.. they told me that their network isn't able to display numbers from outside UK.. odd that Mobile networks are able to, even if call is via a BT switch.

Tom_o_barry

Phone provider -virgin
We get Asian guys offering to repair Microsoft windows computer as it has a virus for a cost 2-3 times a week
today it was 5 times, even when I tell them "I have no computer", but whatever you say its no good -its getting very annoying
1471 gives no number

AirAndMadness

I had the call from the Asian company claiming to be Microsoft telling me that Windows had told them that my computer was infected; I let them try to guide me through the 'diagnostic', and they got very upset about my repeated 'No, I haven't got that on my screen; no, I don't have that button/option/menu'. After about ten minutes, I asked if they thought the problem their diagnostic system was having could possibly be arising from the minor issue that I was running Linux - they never bothered me again.

We've also recently had a couple of calls from an overseas call-centre staffed by South Africans. The bloke asked if I was 'the lady of the house'; when I said that I wasn't, he asked if I was a member of the family. When I said that I wasn't that, either, he said 'So what are you doing over there? You are nobody!'; I told him I was the cleaner, and he hung up. The second time, it was the same bloke. He asked if I was the lady of the house, I told him that we'd spoken before and that he'd hung up on me when I said I was the cleaner, and hung up on him. They've never rung again, either.

I've never had the nerve to try it, but one of my friends swears by telling cold callers that he's the burglar

cheltenham_dude

When they ask for the householder / homeowner, I tell them they've come through to a private business - they seem to scarper pretty fast.

I did once say "hello" in a plain tone and then 5 seconds later started into a short speech (said in the manner you'd leave a answer machine message):
"You're through to Cheltenham Pet Crematorium - you kill 'em, we grill 'em. Unfortunately no one is available to take your call at the moment please leave a message with a phone number or e-mail address and someone will get back to you very shortly." I then pressed a button on my nearby microwave for the appropriate beep noise and it worked I then didn't get another call for about three months.

Troublemaker66

When it is an international number I have found it useful just to laugh loudly for as long as I can. They usually ring off within about 30 seconds. Particularly useful when they say they can decontaminate my computer. National numbers withheld can't often be cured, and I asked if they had checked the Telephone Preference service after asking where they got my number. They rang off immediately.

Money_saving_Martyn

sonnychiba1 wrote: »

Another classic is to simply say random things when foreign sales calls ring you up. They'll ask if they can speak to you, say yes, let them start their patter then just say anything that pops into your head. A lampshade, I like a sandwhich but not on wednesdays, tippy has a small ear, tips over and clipped an elbow.

They cannot work out whats happening get confused, still try and talk to you and end up just hanging up. I work from home and get about 2-3 of these a day. I actually look forward to them now.

I go for "mmmmm sounds interesting....mmmmm tell me more....mmmmmm" and then move onto "mmmm tell me, what colour socks have you got on?".

Rain_is_Insane

My son says to them "hang on a sec i'll just turn the computer on"...waits a few seconds....then screams "CRAP..HELP... IT'S ON FIRE, WHAT DO I DO WHAT DO I DO, CAN YOU PUT IT OUT FROM THERE"?

They tend to hang up after that.

Bagatelle

jess1974 wrote: »

Ha ha ha ha i love this one, good for you...

This one is priceless!!!

johnnyboyrebel

I never understand this as I read all about these calls that people get but I don't get any whatsoever. I think the last one may have been 5 years ago! I'm not on TPS or anything like that.

I can only assume people are giving out their phone number at some point somewhere as it is the only explanation unless I am just very lucky!

I do not use the landline at any point, it is only there for the broadband connection. We never ring using it and noone rings us on it so have never given the number out to anyone.