Unsolicited calls

karenj

Why don't we all get an 0901 or 0870 number and put that on our application forms, contact detail tel no's etc. I am sure they will stop ringing us when they realise it is costing THEM to phone us. Then we can all stay chatting for hours while the money is going 'kerching' into our pockets!!! HA HA

karenj

And another thing, let's see how call centres from abroad can contact us on these NG numbers, like we have trouble contacting from abroad to the numbers that so many organisations give out now!!

boofy_2

Why are you being a slave to your phone? Simply hang up!. I do 2 things. When someone asks for Mrs Booth (me!) I say "sorry she's not here at the moment, who's calling". You will tend to find they sign off pretty quickly. If it IS someone you want to speak to then you can always say "she's just got back". You can normally tell if it's a 'cold call'. There's normally a gap between you answering and them connecting. I just hang up if I get that gap. 1471 normally says 'number withheld'. If it really is important they are gonna call back. You can always put the ansafone on!

penrith

I am ALWAYS getting calls for a relative that used to live with us but has died. One memorable conversation from a telesales bloke went...

telesales:Hello, are you Mrs. XXXXX
Me: No, she's dead
telesales: Can i speak to Mrs. XXXX
Me: No, she's DEAD!!!!
Telesales: Could you tell me when she will be in?
Me: SHE'S F***ING DEAD YOU F***ING MORON etc etc etc

and so started the rant of verbal abuse down the phone......

These kind of calls used to really upset me at first, but now i just say bluntly "she's dead".

Nelski

boofy wrote:

There's normally a gap between you answering and them connecting. I just hang up if I get that gap.

And the technology that runs these calls (a dialler) will just put your number back into the system to be rung again later!!!!!!! Not a good plan fraid

Benji

karenj wrote:

Why don't we all get an 0901 or 0870 number and put that on our application forms, contact detail tel no's etc. I am sure they will stop ringing us when they realise it is costing THEM to phone us. Then we can all stay chatting for hours while the money is going 'kerching' into our pockets!!! HA HA

Unfortunately, you cant have an 0901 number without registering with some sort of watchdog.

You could get an 0870 free on the web - but it pays next to nothing.

What you really want is an 0871 - I use it for all forms etc and make a few quid every month on spam calls. The best are the 'recordings' that call me to tell me I've been personally selected! Pop the handset on the desk (the recording doesn't know you're not listening) and you can get 20 - 30 minutes of revenue!

Paul_Varjak

I always answer my phone with just 'hello' so that they do not have the upper hand.

If it's unsolicited I then explain they are through to the 'Venereal Venerables Charity', how can we help? (You have to practice a bit to say it right)

If they are stupid enough to ask what that is you just say: "We are a clinic that offers both venereal treatment and confession to Catholic nuns and priests, in the privacy of their own homes. Can we arrange a home visit for you? What is your address and phone number?"

That shuts them up!

Paul_Varjak

penrith wrote:

I am ALWAYS getting calls for a relative that used to live with us but has died. One memorable conversation from a telesales bloke went...

telesales:Hello, are you Mrs. XXXXX
Me: No, she's dead
telesales: Can i speak to Mrs. XXXX
Me: No, she's DEAD!!!!
Telesales: Could you tell me when she will be in?
Me: SHE'S F***ING DEAD YOU F***ING MORON etc etc etc

and so started the rant of verbal abuse down the phone......

These kind of calls used to really upset me at first, but now i just say bluntly "she's dead".

My mother died in November and we cancelled her subscription to SAGA (she had lifetime membership). The magazines stopped immediately. Then, a few days ago, a SAGA magazine arrived, addressed to my mother. Confused, I rang them and they said it was a complimentary copy in case my mother wanted to become a member!

boofy_2

Nelski: And I'll just hang up again!

tommyx_2

I have had 4 calls from Homecall, which i understand is part of the Caudwell Communications company. I am registered with TPS and i have told them this fact yet still get calls. I have no thoughts of using any of their services - i have thanks to this site got 500 anytime orange minutes to use and use 18866 if i need to use my home phone. Surely the company - the parent company in the uk - is breadking the tps code or what ever - how would one go about complaining and i take great exception to receiving these calls at home. I have sent an email for Mr Caudwells attention asking for a response by wednesay or i will proceed to complain formally - but how owuld i go about doing that!! I've mad emy threat now just need to find out what to do!!