Cold Calling

andyrules

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if there are any regulations re cold calling on the elderly, who may be not terribly savvy or even confused.

Many thanks

Mojisola

There are no regulations that I know of. My parents have a sign from the local police saying that they do not buy from the door - it doesn't stop sellers knocking but Mum and Dad point at the sign and they go away.

andyrules

Mojisola wrote: »

There are no regulations that I know of. My parents have a sign from the local police saying that they do not buy from the door - it doesn't stop sellers knocking but Mum and Dad point at the sign and they go away.

thanks, I'll look into one of those. My mother is fast becoming more vulnerable and easy prey.

CharlieBilly

There are some areas in towns where cold calling isnt allowed, normally bona fide companies should adhere to this, you usually see large signs on lamposts indicating no cold calling area. Unfortunately not everyone will adhere to that either

like this

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/lancashire/doorstep3.htm

Mojisola

She may find it helpful to have a sign on the inside of the door as well, saying something like - don't open the door unless it's someone you know. It's horrible worrying that someone might take advantage her while she's on her own.

djl

You can print off a sign of here for "No Cold Callers" it should work if not I always have a go at them, also energy sales people are breaking there own rules if they knock if you have a sign up

alanq

Was the original question just meant to be about callers at the door or also include telephone cold calling?

scotsbob

Moneysavingextra has produced a sign which you can print off and stick to your door, you can finde it half way down this page

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/no-more-junk

The page also gives advice on preventing cold calling by telephone and pn dealing with junk mail.

newmee

As far as I know it is illegal for a cold-calling phone seller to call people over 80...sounds mad but my mum sorted this for my Nan and it worked.

andyrules

newmee wrote: »

As far as I know it is illegal for a cold-calling phone seller to call people over 80...sounds mad but my mum sorted this for my Nan and it worked.

That's interesting, whom did she contact?

Alanq, was mainly for the door as she seems better at putting the phone down than turning a smiling face away. But she is quite unreliable now, plus I've noticed saved, opened junk mail that she will 'deal with later' when I ask.

I've just discovered she has switched energy supplier as a result of a sales rep calling. Would have been better to do a comparison - which I've suggested. However, she has always been adamant about staying with the 'Electricity Board', so she is obviously more easily persuaded now.

barnabee

I've just discovered she has switched energy supplier as a result of a sales rep calling.

Don't forget she has a cooling off period where the new contract can be terminated. Be worth checking what tariff she has gone on as there are some shockers out there at the mo.

I have found the polite versions of 'no cold callers' signs no longer work. It seems that salesreps think they have a better chance of success as others have been put off by the sign. The conversation now seems to start with the words 'I know you have a sign up but ....'

As a postie I have seen some really good to the point ones that have been homemade. They make it fairly plain what will happen with the cold callers clipboard/bible mag/cleaning catalogue.