Say no to unwanted sales calls

gropinginthedark

OK, You've registered with the Telephone Preference Service but still keep getting sales calls You've raised complaints to TPS and discovered that they do absolutely nothing. The legal power to impose a fine (of up to £5000) has never been used!

I raised a complaint to the Information Comissioner who is supposed to oversee TPS - that got a lengthy response which amounted to "persistent offenders get asked to stop doing it".

I've got a new approach. Be positive, express an interest, get company name and location (town), tell the caller you'd like to check out their website to make sure they are a reputable company, ask for their name and phone number so you can call back. DO NOT agree to letting them call back, that would mean you've given them permission - be ready with a story about why they can't call back, and say "I don't want you to call me back", by now you should have their web address anyway. If you've not got web address then google for company name and town should find it.

Next get the latest version of the Google Toolbar (a great free product that makes using the web much easier in many ways - Google search for "google toolbar download"). The latest version offers a feature called "Sidewiki". This allows you to add comments to ANY website. (But do keep them legal and factual).

Your comments are visible to other sidewiki users when they visit the site, not many yet as it's a new (and experimental) service but maybe Google will start using the feedback as part of they way they choose which websites come out top in searches...

Jemma-T

Firstly, Google Toolbar is spyware. It's spying on your every move on the Internet. This is why it's Free™. Virtually all toolbars that sit on IE and Firefox do exactly the same thing and on this occasion it helps Google infest and load even more crap adverts into you viewing space. If you want the things it does well without the spying make your own toolbar with Firefox Addons.

Secondly, I'd not play any games with these law breakers as you might just meet a really psycho salesperson or company. They are afterall not bothered about the law.

Get caller display and let the answer machine do its job.

gropinginthedark

Jemma-T wrote: »

Firstly, Google Toolbar is spyware. It's spying on your every move on the Internet. This is why it's Free™. Virtually all toolbars that sit on IE and Firefox do exactly the same thing and on this occasion it helps Google infest and load even more crap adverts into you viewing space. If you want the things it does well without the spying make your own toolbar with Firefox Addons.

Secondly, I'd not play any games with these law breakers as you might just meet a really psycho salesperson or company. They are afterall not bothered about the law.

If you're that paranoid then don't use a search engine at all, all search engines gather a lot of information, your IP, your search phrases etc. You can think of Google search as spyware. If there are searches and websites you'd like to keep quiet about then you'll be browsing via networks of proxies anyway. If you don't like seeing ads use an adblocker.
Google is free, if it was unable to generate income by advertising we'd have to choose between no search or pay to search, that's the price you pay, most internet users accept the free deal.

Secondly I hardly think a double glazing telesales operation is going to invest the time and effort necessary to identify who has left a disapproving comment attached to their website, far less "send the lads round".

moneysavingkitten

Why not just get caller ID, screen your calls, and google the phone numbers.

Usually you'll find out whether the call is legitimate or not. Blagger . com website is quite useful for that. If the call is legitimate, you can always call them back. I can usally find out who the company is before the phone stops ringing if I am by the computer when it rings.

Unwanted calls I have had lately all already seem to have been reported on the blagger profiles. The website seems to pretty much be designed for that purpose.

shandypants5

I just ask the caller "what are you wearing?".

It usually gets the message across.

moneysavingkitten

LOL worth a go I suppose...

wizk1

If I'm in the mood, I'll pretend I'm interested in what they're selling. Often pretending I'm telling my partner how good the product in question is. After about 10-15 minutes, or when they ask if I want to buy, I'll just say "no thanks", then wait for them to hang up on me. That's an evening's entertainment for me

brightonman123

aapart from the underwear, you could asl them awkward questions, if you want to waste their time-

make some general queries about data protection, harrasment laws, human rights act, or that YOU are recording call for security purposes, etc..

have fun- they are paying for the call!

failing this, a loud whistle- give them a warning first mind...