annoying phone calls?

[jules1968]

I am constantly being inundated with sales calls either on my home phone or my mobile. Does anyone have any good ways of dealing with them, as in what you say to them, whitty or otherwise?. (i have registered with the TPS but it doesn't do much)

[BigMac]

Start asking them questions:

• Do you enjoy your job?


• How long do you have to work at a time/what hours do you work?


• Can you get 'bathroom' or smoking breaks?


• I'm thinking of getting work in a call-centre - how much does it pay? Would you recommend it?

Or say you'd really like to speak to them as you've been considering double glazing/whatever for a while, but you're a bit busy at the moment so could you have the caller's home number to ring back at a more convenient time?

Or start asking them what underwear they are wearing and can they describe themselves to you....

[kick3m0n]

I have to admit Jules that on one occasion, after several such calls in a few days...I just handed the phone to Charlie (2.5yrs old) and he had a whale of a time shouting about playing train track with Thomas. By the time I took the phone off him, they were gone!

[jake-the-peg]

Register both numbers with TPS. (It's free)

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

You should stop getting sales calls (at least from UK based companies) in 28 days.

After that you can complain and they can be fined.

It's actually quite a bit of fun to tell them you're TPS registerred and time them to see how long it takes them to get off the phone - I've had several who made under one second!!

Not that I get many any more

[jake-the-peg]

OOPS sorry I didn't see your bracketted bit!

If they're UK based get their details before you say TPS and report them.

The other thing to do is express an interest, say you just need a pen and leave the phone hanging for 10 minutes - waste their time instead! It plays havoc with their performance figures

[stoo_pid]

If it's your mobile, just ignore it or press the red phone. If it's your home phone (in a similar vein to BigMac's suggestion), someone posted this brilliant link in an earlier post. Print it out & keep it by the phone.

[BigMac]

Excellent link, stoo_pid.

[smudge]

I had one just 30 minutes ago jules, even tho' we're registered with TPS!

We don't get them very often, but when we do it is still soooo annoying!

[jules1968]

stoo_pid what a great link. must try that!!! (when i'm brave enough) the mobile calls started as soon as our contract were up for renewal. my hubby kept rejecting the calls and he had 15 answer phone messages!!!! If i want a new phone/windows/conservatory etc..... i will go into a shop and bloodywell buy one!!!! kick i have thought about doing that cause Kieron loves chatting on the phone. Right, thats it, the next one gets it!!!!! :-O

[jules1968]

jake-the- peg i love the idea of fetching a pen, then just going off for a little while. i wonder how long they would hang on for before they fell in!!!! BigMac nice suggestions, not sure about the underwear though :-)

[B00]

I love the idea of passing the phone to your kids- mine's only 16 months old but she can jabber with the best of 'em!

I'm seriously gonna do that idea- I now can't wait for the phone to ring- heh!

[leandrews]

Try one of these tactics, they're brilliant

http://www.zefrank.com/donotcall/

[kazminx]

i usually say im breastfeeding but this works at its best when they are at the door and my son shouts on me to come to the door...i shout really loud....'ill be there in a minute im breast feeding'...99% of door callers are men and they just run!! hehe

[treacle84]

Hahaha, me and my mum have been having a right giggle a those posts! I can't wait for one to ring now!

[smurfchops]

Is anyone brave enough to use leandrews' link? It all sounds great until the phone rings, I usually just say 'Not interested' and slam the phone down, then I wish I had just said 'Oh hang on a minute' and just left them hanging on. I might print this off leandrew and try something new next time ... great

[redcrx]

We are TPS registered but still get up to 10 calls a week offering a free mobile phone (often with a dvd player too). I say thats great send the phone but surprisingly they say they do need money. I have had countless arguements with these salespeople as Im sure they are saling close to the wind with these offers. A free mobile for my address shoul be just that!

My partner once had them on the phone for 45 mins asking how they had got his details and that calling him and using his details was against data protection acts. They argued backwards and forwards for ages.

Another time my partner said that both he and myself had contracts but that our son had an interest in mobile phones especially Tomy ones. They said theyd not heard of that make and proceeded to take all my sons details. Was funny til they got to date of birth and were told July 2005.

Ive even told many of these companies time and time again that we are TPS registered and they dont care. I did hear that 6 months ago the TPS had still not taken ANY action against a company. Wouldnt be surprised if they still havnt.

[Toureman]

Try this it's magic!...............

http://www.xs4all.nl/~egbg/english/counters.pdf

Print it off to use.

[Grunty]

These people seem to be working in call centres in India while they save up for an elementary English course. I find it quite satisfying to carry out my part of the conversation in Russian. They lose nothing because I never have the faintest idea what they are talking about either.

[smudge]

Brilliant leandrews & Toureman, have printed them off!

[dzug]

To be fair Grunty, their English is normally quite good. However their accent is often inpenetrable which somehow loses the effect.

[carrieann]

I was besieged by international calls which aren't covered by tps. BT suggested not answering the calls. And a month later I get no calls (used to have at least 6/7 a day).