Ridiculous phone calls

I'd just like to have a quick rant, if I may. I'm so tired of some of these callers. The last couple of days I've had Indians phoning up to consolidate my debts, saying 'Hello, I'm Ray from [garbled company name], and blah blah blah.' Why is it you never hear the name of the company? And half the time they pronounce my surname wrongly.

Just had one from an Asian-sounding chap. "I'm calling about your computer, right?" he says. So I say "what about it?" Then either he hangs up or gets cut off. Eh?

And then there's the one that starts with a little tune, and a voice says "This is your captain speaking," before going on to tell me about how I can win a cruise around the Med.

I'm thinking of turning into the punter from hell, and having long meandering conversations with them, wasting their time. Might be a laugh.

I think you can talk to your phone provider to be taken off sales calls.

Or I could stop calling.

Quote: Bad dog @ May 1 2009, 3:22 PM BST

I'm thinking of turning into the punter from hell, and having long meandering conversations with them, wasting their time. Might be a laugh.

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That's what I tend to do. Just see how ridiculous you make the conversation. And it's great when you've make them laugh. It brightens their day. Until they sacked because they haven't made any sales.

It's funny really when somebody rings up with a strong Asian accent and says there called Gary. You feel like saying, you're not mate.

Does that mean even if your name is in the phone book they won't call?

British Gas phone regularly, trying to sell drain insurance, or kitchen appliance insurance (they wouldn't want to insure my kitchen appliances if they saw them!). But they never say that, they say that as I have a service contract with them I am entitled to cover on these things... but they never mention a cost right until the end.

I wonder if BG has calls centres outside of Scotland? If I hear a scottish accent on the phone saying "Hello, is that Mr... " I always say "yes, is that British Gas?"

Quote: Jack Massey @ May 1 2009, 3:29 PM BST

It's funny really when somebody rings up with a strong Asian accent and says there called Gary. You feel like saying, you're not mate.

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If you say, I'm not interested very poiltely and say "I want to be taken off your sales list please." They are obliged to take you off. Do not be mean... they will just plow you back into the system.

Oh yes, I would never be rude or say f**k off, that just means you keep getting the calls.

You have to say the words you want to be taken off though.

I will have to give that a try.

The more you do that, the less people will call you and finally you'll not have calls anymore.

Another one is; the phone rings, you answer it; person hangs up. You dial 1471 then ring the number - Premium call!

Yet another, same as above except that; person hangs up, makes a note e.g., '13079024 is in at 14.35pm' then passes information to a sales team for future reference.

I'm ex-directory. I've got to the point where I unplug the landline from 7am to 9pm. I give friends/business,etc (not the Mrs) my cellphone number.

We have our home phone turned on silent ring. We only have it for our broandband and that's it. Both myself and my hosuemate use our mobiles.

Quote: EllieJP @ May 1 2009, 3:58 PM BST

We have our home phone turned on silent ring. We only have it for our broandband and that's it. Both myself and my hosuemate use our mobiles.

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Is this your 'hosuemate'? > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6exgWphS8q4

SCARY!!!

.

Quote: Morrace @ May 1 2009, 3:53 PM BST

Another one is; the phone rings, you answer it; person hangs up. You dial 1471 then ring the number - Premium call!

Yet another, same as above except that; person hangs up, makes a note e.g., '13079024 is in at 14.35pm' then passes information to a sales team for future reference.

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I've tried 1471 a couple of times, but they always withhold the number.

So, that's why they sometimes ring and then hang up, they are testing your availability.

The last place I lived at, there was no phone. So I had one installed, and went ex-directory. BT gave me the same phone no. of the previous occupant, which meant people would phone up trying to sell things to him. You can't win.

Quote: Morrace @ May 1 2009, 4:05 PM BST

Is this your 'hosuemate'? > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6exgWphS8q4

SCARY!!!

.

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What on EARTH made you Google my obvious spelling mistake? You crazy.

And yes that was scary.