TPS (Telephone preference service)

frugalpam

I registered with them 6 months ago, and even that and being ex-directory hasn't stopped me being plagued with marketing calls from firms ranging from double glazing to loans :mad: I never give out my number other than to close friends and family, and always make sure I tick the relevant box on forms to say I don't want my info forwarding to any other companies.

I rang Virgin Media who said they can't block calls, and that I need to re-register with the TPS, which should be done every 3 months. Anyone else heard that ?? I enquired about changing my number, and they said that they have no new numbers to issue, and I'd only get a re-cycled one and might therefore pick up unwanted calls aimed at the previous owner :eek:

Anyone any ideas? Just wondering if any other phone provider offers a better service to block unwanted calls.

cheers,
Pam

ManAtHome

The only calls TPS don;t deal with are from overseas - if you're still getting calls from UK-based floggers, have a look at the TPS site for info they need, then take details down and fill in an online complaint.

Virgin Media are talking borrocks - as usual...

telephone_man

The only thing I can suggest is a service my mum has with BT.

Its called choose to refuse & it allows you to block particular numbers from calling you. How it works is that if you receive an unwanted sales call you put the phone down, pick it back up dial a code and the number wont be able to call you again. The service is chargable but if you say that you are getting nuisance calls you get it free for one month out of every six.

judderman62

I'm with man at home on this one.

Also I registered with TPS and only calls I get - once on a blue moon - like 2 or 3 in 6/7 years are either from companies I'm already with - in which case I give them a right rollocking - as I always ask not to receive and unsolicited calls - and I think just the once a call from overseas who also got short thrift and an earfull.

Pam - I'd have a mooch round TPS's site and if need be contact them and let them know what's going on.

Failing that ask them for their home number and you'll call them back when they get home (any cold callers I mean not TPS )

judderman62

I like this approach also :rotfl::rotfl:

http://howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnd.com/

frugalpam

Hiya Judders :kisses3:

The one that rang last night got a right rollicking off me Started off with

"Can I speak to xxxxxx' ?
'Who wants to know?'
' Are you xxxxx?'
' I repeat, who wants to know?'
' I want to speak to xxxxxx - is that you?'
'Who are you?'
'I'm from xxx superloans - I'm phoning about your enquiry'
'Who's enquiry'

blah blah blah... so it went on, til I lost all patience. Raised voices....

(Says call centre person) 'Don't raise your voice to me!'
(Me) Well stop ringing this number
(Her) If you'd just tell me if you're xxxxxx we could sort this out'

At that point, told her to s*d off (or words to that effect) :eek:

judderman62 wrote: »

I'm with man at home on this one.

Also I registered with TPS and only calls I get - once on a blue moon - like 2 or 3 in 6/7 years are either from companies I'm already with - in which case I give them a right rollocking - as I always ask not to receive and unsolicited calls - and I think just the once a call from overseas who also got short thrift and an earfull.

Pam - I'd have a mooch round TPS's site and if need be contact them and let them know what's going on.

Failing that ask them for their home number and you'll call them back when they get home (any cold callers I mean not TPS )

telephone_man

The worst thing you can do when you receive one of these calls is be aggressive towards them. They are more than likely connected to an automatic dialler and if they choose not to remove your number from their list they just dont click the box saying 'dont call again' and you are put back to the bottom of the pile.

My advice is just be civil and get them to empathise with you that you are constantly getting calls and if they dont mind can they take you off their list

Once the phone goes down then let the cursing begin.

frugalpam

I take your point..... but its hard to be civil after a long day at work, and persistent sales people at the other end of the phone, wasting my time and energy.

telephone_man wrote: »

The worst thing you can do when you receive one of these calls is be aggressive towards them. They are more than likely connected to an automatic dialler and if they choose not to remove your number from their list they just dont click the box saying 'dont call again' and you are put back to the bottom of the pile.

My advice is just be civil and get them to empathise with you that you are constantly getting calls and if they dont mind can they take you off their list

Once the phone goes down then let the cursing begin.

telephone_man

I totally understand. Thats the reason why I took up boxing.

frugalpam

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Ta Judders :T

judderman62 wrote: »

I like this approach also :rotfl::rotfl:

http://howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnd.com/

ManAtHome

I can understand people signing up for these jobs, but it must be pretty clear after a couple of days that their calls are generally not wanted, so I have no sympathy at all for any abuse they get.

If you're using a BT line, get caller ID and leave any witheld or international callers to the answerphone (on the rare occasion when it's urgent they'll leave a message). If it's UK based, be assertive - get their name and company details, tell them you'll be raising a complaint with the TPS and put the phone down.

Of course you could occasionally say "hang on, somebody at the door" and leave the phone off the hook for a while, or start with "praise the Lord, the minister prophesied that a kindred spirit would contact me".