Double Glazing Cold Caller

Tidy_Up_Tash

I had a call earlier from a Double Glazing company in Southampton earlier. However, it wasn't the usual script and, to be honest, I think the method the young lady used was decidedly underhand.

When I answered the phone she told me she was ringing from Suchandsuch (I didn't get the name) and she believed that I had spoken to a rep a few months previously. She didn't tell me what she was selling. I told her that I didn't recollect it. She then went on to say that I had discussed changing my front door and windows to UPVC. On telling her we were double glazed proposed that it may have been the rear of the property I had discussed. On telling the caller that all such discussions would have to go through my Landlord the conversation abruptly ended.

Is this kind of calling method legal? It strikes me that someone who had discussed double glazing with another company, or was thinking of it, might easily fall prey.

maninthestreet

Possibly they had mis-dialled?

Tidy_Up_Tash

Possibly, but it didn't have a misdialled feel to it. No names, no details at there end. Felt more like a stab in the dark.

Tidy_Up_Tash

Just thought to Google the number... http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08452639014

Bob_the_Saver

Never quite understood this chatting, 2 words (one is off) 1.5 seconds problem solved. If they popped their head through the window you'd soon say this magic phrase so why not on the phone. It's not rude to do so, you don't phone them at home when they are in the bath or having tea or a romantic encounter - no, so why do you feel such a need to be polite when they do this to you?

Elsewhere

I've had this approach. Trouble is, as you say, if you've discussed whatever they are selling (in our case it was solar heating) with someone else, it's confusing - and if you add a spouse into the equation, who might have also been enquiring, it's impossible to decide if they are for real!

If I am unsure if they are just trying it on (which they usually are) I say I'll ring them back if I am interested. If I AM sure that they are lying, I've taken to telling them that my husband has been made redundant and we have no money - and hang up.

Tidy_Up_Tash

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Never quite understood this chatting, 2 words (one is off) 1.5 seconds problem solved.

Fair point, and a course of action that I generally follow. However, by starting the conversation along the lines of "You spoke to one of our reps recently" you can get drawn in. I've just change my contents insurance, it could have been reference to that, for example. It wasn't until the mention of the windows that I clicked, but my Landlord may have contacted them and given them my numebr. Once he was out of the equation then that was that.

maggie111

Their normal spiel is "I'm just calling to do a survey do you have any time?"
"sure"
"How many windows and......"
"Just so you know this is a rented property, but I can still answer......"
"dial tone"

SO annoying to be hung up on, but it does stop them selling. I once had a salesman say thank you and goodbye after I told him it was rented and I nearly fainted to be treated with manners!!!

It does work a treat though with any unwarranted sales calls and will definitely still use it when I buy a house!!

Of course that doesn't work if they don't state near the beginning of the call what it's for... But I just play the blonde and say "sorry, I'm awfully confused - what is this in reference too? Don't have my senses today!"

BillTrac

Can't believe the number of times I answer the phone to be told my OH completed a survey and this is a follow up call.

My wife never ever completes surveys, I know it is a just a way of getting round the TPS rules.

Every time now I say "hang on I will get her", come back 30minutes later.

Gone!!

ceebeeby

BillTrac wrote: »

.

Every time now I say "hang on I will get her", come back 30minutes later.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

That made me laugh!

I always try to be very polite to cold callers, as I know they're only trying to do their job.

Last time, very truthfully, I told the caller "I was in the middle of using the phone to make funeral arrangements, and I can't think of any polite excuse to you to make you want to leave me alone - help me out please" and the caller couldn't have been nicer ... and did go away

savemoney

I have had two lying reps over recent months

1. We (east yorkshire glazing) we are doing a house down the street (lie 1, they were not, small narrow street), and as its a good neighbour area (lie 2) we have to knock on peoples doors to see if we can upgraded to new security doors windows as part of councils policy (lie 3)


2. Another company said as part of council policy we are doing heat loss survey where council will take a picture of your house and let you know if any improvements can be made, so far so good. Do I object to this,no I replied. Then the sale technique came in, how old are your doors and windows?. I said "5 years". Would you be interested in upgraded them and have a free survey?