Great 'Best Cold Caller Rebukes' Hunt

Heinz

Heinz wrote: »

Unfortunately, they're holding the party line.

When I raised the issue (again), the reply I received was, "I do appreciate that this is very frustrating for you however when a caller from abroad calls your line we do not have the facility to display this number. I really am sorry about this."

To which, of course,I replied, "That's utter nonsense. I know you 'have the facility' because, when I divert calls to my mobile (using BT's Call Divert calling feature), the full international CLI is displayed."

I turns out they were lying to me (quelle surprise).

The answer I received on the phone today was, "It's privacy issue. Because BT has no way of telling whether an international caller wanted to withhold their number, we withhold them all from our customers. It's a policy decision."

When I protested that calls diverted to my mobile displayed international CLIs, I received the expected, "I can't speak for the mobile companies" reply.

So, BT allows obviously bogus CLIs like 11111 and 00000 to be delivered to its customers, but not real ones!

Incredible.

Raksha

Just been reading this thread, so when my phone rang, the conversation went something like this :

Sales person 'good evening madam, my name is Hannah, I'm calling from XXX we specialise in home improvements, I was wondering what would be your priority today?'

Me - 'Errmmmm - getting Telephone Preference' and before I could say 'Service written in big letters across the front of my house' she'd put the phone down!

How RUDE!!! LOL!!

lindos90

I regularly get a call on my mobile, I recognise the number now. Last time I answered it I said 'Hello, pizza express, may I take your order please?'

...not had a call since!

I also get regular calls on my landline asking for a specific person (not me) and I think this was probably someone who had the number years ago, so my guess is they have got hold of a very old telephone directory!

I dont seem to be able to get this name added with TPS as its obviously a different surname, this time, for some reason I just blurted out, and I dont know why, it just came out.. 'why are you asking for her, she has died':eek:

Anyway, the caller initially, said that wasnt a problem, that they could 'do me' instead, then I think they realised what 'died' ment, and as they had no plan in their script to deal with such, they faultered and I hung up.

Was it very wrong of me to do that? Oh, Ive just thought if an old friend of hers called and I'd said that it would have been horrible. I must think before I speak:o.

Might make an impact on the amount of telemarketing calls I get for this person though, we will see!

pixwix

Withheld numbers are my biggest problem these days. As most seemed to be cold advertising calls, I used to ignore them

I can't do that any longer. I'm in poor health and have a regular involvement with the NHS. But all local NHS personnel who ring me these days withhold their number, so I got to the point I didn't dare ignore such calls any more. Which meant I had to endure a lot of unwanted calls because of it. No amount of pleading will get them to change, and I've no idea why they do this. Now even our local social services have started doing it.

I was a public servant of one kind or another for almost 40 years before I retired. I had to deal with a lot of difficult people, but never ever felt the need to withhold my number when I rang people. Is there a good reason for this, or is it just corporate paranoia?

I've compromised now by telling all appropriate callers that if they ring and my CLI shows number withheld, the phone simply will not be answered, but if they leave a message with a number I can call them at, I will ring back *immediately*. They're not all cooperating, but at least it's separating those who make an effort from the jobsworths.

bo_drinker

Orlaith85 wrote: »

Why does everyone get so annoyed at getting calls?

Post your phone number here and find out...... :rotfl:

MothballsWallet

non.a.mousey wrote: »

There is a good reason that market research calls are not part of TPS.

The cynic in me says that's because large, brown, padded, envelopes laden with money changed hands between market research companies and government

MothballsWallet

NevMetson wrote: »

As far as the "ethos" goes, TRUECALL is ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) "Secured by Design" and many many Police Forces are buying them to 'loan' to victims to prevent them becoming repeat victims.

So what? Did ACPO genuinely recommend it, or did they get paid to?

Nobody recommends anything any more without money changing hands.

Heinz

MothballsWallet wrote: »

Nobody recommends anything any more without money changing hands.

A slight over-simplification, methinks.

I do.

Blackjack_Davy

Since I signed up for the TPS the only calls I get are from BT wanting me to rejoin them! At least one every week or so, drives me nuts....

wasn't there something on Watchdog about this a couple of weeks ago?

Mr_Oink

BT are, in my opinion and from my personal experience, dirty data scumbags. Jumping through loopholes to spam, call and mail you. Does it win returning customers? Who can say - it sure kicks their reputation in the goolies.. As former BT CE of Pierre Danon once said, 'we are 'p***ing people off'. Nice to see they remain consistent at least!