It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Pollycat

ladyholly said:

I find a simple go away and putting the phone down works. We did have a friend who in the days of double glazing cold calls went through the whole thing with the caller and finished by innocently asking if he though they could do it on a council house. Apparently he wasted about half an hour of the callers time.

and his own time. 

ladyholly

Pollycat said:

and his own time. 

He didnt care about his time as he didnt work due to poor very health and wasnt doing anything else.

London_1

I even have a notice on the window by my front door that our local police gave out saying I don't deal with cold callers at all but they seem to take no notice.My bell push was pinched from my front door a couple of years ago( yeah I've no idea why, but its a common  problem round here, children tend to dare each other for a 'prank' ) and I never bothered replacing it. Anyone who knows me knows to knock on the sitting room window and if its anyone from the family they have akey to get in anyway,or will phone beforehand to tell me they are coming so I expect them 

JackieOxx

euronorris

JIL said:

What's wrong with a simple and firm please take me off your calling list. And hanging up. 
By actually engaging with the cold callers and not a quick response, it could actually work against you, in that call/talk time is actually longer and as such worth a callback by the company.

I do this. I largely ignore calls from numbers I don't recognise, but occasionally get caught out (if I am waiting on a call about an appt, for example). I just sigh heavily, say 'No. Take me off your calling list and don't call me again!' and then hang up. 

euronorris

Pollycat said:

JIL said:

What's wrong with a simple and firm please take me off your calling list. And hanging up. 
By actually engaging with the cold callers and not a quick response, it could actually work against you, in that call/talk time is actually longer and as such worth a callback by the company.

+1 to this.

And if anyone knicks at my door, I simply say 'I don't deal with cold callers'.
So many people wasting their time with phone & personal callers.

We have a sticker on our door telling them not to knock. The odd one that does gets it pointed out to them and their name requested so I can report them. They usually make up some nonsense excuse as they walk off. The knocks have become less and less frequent.

YoungBlueEyes

My Father used to say all sorts of things to phone scammers. The only one I can really remember is "Good morning, Kensington home for Fallen Women" said in his most sonorous RP. One day the guy must have asked if they were for sale, cos Father said "yes - £5 each or 3 for a tenner" The guy hung up.

Just saying "no I'm not interested" and hanging up doesn't stop the calls. If you answer the phone your number goes on a "live list" which is then sold on repeatedly. So scammer A might not ring you back, but a dozen other scammers have bought the list with your number on it knowing that someone will answer the phone. If I have time I'll string them along for as long as I feel like, to save someone from the same treatment.

Anyone remember the 419eater website? Similar ethos to that.  I've just checked and it's still going. Jeez I used to love that site, proper rabbit hole tho.

Also could someone explain the Ben Chode thing...?

RobM99

A "chode" is - er - a male appendage that is wider than long. Well, you did ask.

Anyway - phone scammers. Funeral plan ones "Our records show you have no funeral plan".  "Oh but I do, I intend to lie very still for an awful long time".

YoungBlueEyes

Wish I could thank that more than once Rob, once for the explanation and once for the funeral plan line. Which I'm adding to my repertoire!

Roz81

euronorris said:

JIL said:

What's wrong with a simple and firm please take me off your calling list. And hanging up. 
By actually engaging with the cold callers and not a quick response, it could actually work against you, in that call/talk time is actually longer and as such worth a callback by the company.

I do this. I largely ignore calls from numbers I don't recognise, but occasionally get caught out (if I am waiting on a call about an appt, for example). I just sigh heavily, say 'No. Take me off your calling list and don't call me again!' and then hang up. 

Same... I try to ignore calls from numbers I don't recognise.

But sometimes when you're busy you get distratcted and pick up before you even realise you're doing it.

RobM99

Oh then there's the "Your traffic accident" one. 

I'm calling about your recent accident (Asian accent)
Oh great, I'm pleased you called. (Me, turning weirdness up to Joe Lycett level)
What exactly happened?
I was in my car and - it just sort of happened (adding to drama)
What exactly happened?
I opened my crisps at traffic lights and the bottom fell out (sobbing gently)
Was there any damage?
Yes, the bag was ruined (gasp)
Was there consequential damage?
Yes. I turned up for a date smelling of salt and vinegar. I had to take my clothes to a dry clea....
Click brrr...
Oh, he's gone.