Tackling the never ending unwanted marketing calls

[thesalesprofessionals]

Hi!

@ Mark - I guess people can ignore it, although it's a pretty bad idea to do so - fines can be pretty heavy if you are caught. Earlier in my career I worked in a few call centres - data lists were always screened for CTPS and we were told not call back if we found out they were registered after we had called. And since I've moved on, I don't think I've met a serious sales professional who would ignore it either.

@GreanLea - think the best thing to do is report if it's really getting to you -you can do so here.

[Mark]

What happens if the call is automated and the number is blocked? How can people complain then?

[thesalesprofessionals]

Hmm, good question. I'm going to look into that actually, there must be a recourse somehow. Will revert...

[JohnIsInspired]

Thank you for telling me how you all avoid marketing calls because I make them every day. lmao. :P

[thesalesprofessionals]

Hi, sorry it took so long to look into this :-)

I found the text below on this site:

Q: I’m receiving recorded marketing calls regarding the debtline / "I’ve won a Caribbean Holiday" / Government Debt Initiative. What can I do about these?

A: An automated call is a call during which the recipient is unable to speak to an actual person. They usually take the form of a recorded message played to the recipient when they answer the telephone.

Is prior consent needed to send automated marketing calls to individuals and/or companies? Yes, Regulation 19 of the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations 2003 requires that companies or organisations making automated marketing telephone calls have the prior consent of the subscribers they are calling.
Is TPS registration necessary to stop automated calls? No, the prior consent rule for automated calls applies whether or not the subscriber is registered on the TPS and applies to both individual subscribers and corporate subscribers.
To complain about a recorded marketing message you’ve received, complete one of our complaint forms.

I'm not sure if this helps exactly, but if the automated message has a business name (which they normally do), you could report them. I guess it would be difficult to prove they called you if the number was withheld, so I assume the regulators must act on volume of complaints or something similar?

Anyway, hope that's of use somehow :-)

[LocateAds]

Tbh I just put up with it. On the odd occasion I have actually needed something they are trying to sell and the good thing about talking to someone in stead of buying on a website is that you can haggle.

Which is an odd thing for me to say considering I'm a web designer/developer!

[proofreadingworks]

I'm registered with TPS but seems to make no difference. Lately, I've been getting a lot of phone calls asking 'how is your computer running?' and trying to sell IT support. They get around TPS by claiming to be doing 'research'. I can't make a complaint because as soon as I ask for any details they hang up, as well as the number being blocked. So now I say I'll just fetch someone who knows more about it and leave them hanging - some have stayed on for 20 mins. They've wasted my time, I'll waste theirs.

[jbarnett]

I dread cold-calls. I tend to respond with either:

1. (if I'm vaguely interested) Send me an email - I'll take a look. Then, if I don't like it I either respond to the email or just delete it outright.

2. (if I'm in a bad mood) Sorry - I'm busy and I'm not interested.

3. (if I'm bored or in an argumentative mood) Sorry - what makes you think I'm interested? In fact, where did you get my details from?

4. (If they're persistent and they've really annoyed me) I've made myself clear on the matter and I'm very busy.

[diggersjohn33]

Originally Posted by matt.chatterley

Leaving them hanging on the line until they get bored is quite a good one, as long as you're sure its a marketing call!

Just so long that you are sure ;-)

John

[zodiac]

if you're feeling in a good mood it can be fun to take the callers off their script, then they struggle and it becomes fun, a little cheeky but still fun

[Ventutec]

Some really good ideas on here, they being said however some marketing/cold calling companies simply do not take no for an answer, in my current position, I'm responsible for answering 90% on the incoming calls of which a huge percentage are either cold or recruitment based.

I find that providing a generic email address to the company usually gets them off my back for a month or so.

Geoff.

[Mark]

Cold-calling seems to be as prevalent as ever now.

[Ian-pestcontrol]

I tell them they need to speak to my mum and leave them on hold. To be fair they are trying to earn a living and it cant be the easyest job.

[krossiter]

My partner sells back at them!

.... 'Have you ever considered using video as part of your offering?'

We often get the phone put down on us, it's easiest that way

[Computerselaine]

We're on CPTS and still get unwanted calls. Usually tell them not interested and that's fine until they call again - about an hour later! Had an interesting one recently, a voicemail was left with what seemed like a big enquiry for our CRM product in the way that the message was worded. Called back thinking wow sounds great, turned out it was a sales person from an exhibition company wanting us to exhibit to 150 attendees for a cost of over £2500!

[thelegalstop]

Telesales are a bit out fashioned now. We usually hang up, however there are some very good sales people and if I notice he/she is good and if I have time I talk to them, so in many cases a learn something new in the seller-buyer communication.

[Andy Watts]

Yep, get them often.. Wife usually says that we've exceeded our budget..

On a different note, some years ago I filled out a questionnaire whilst waiting for my plane to take off. I put my name down as Rev. Andy Watts for a laugh.

Never known so much junk mail through the post

[The Lead Genie]

As someone who specialises in telemarketing and sales. I can honestly say, that if anyone calls and you say you do not wish to discuss it, then they should instantly leave you alone.
I know this often does not happen, and many are very pushy. But just explain that their service to you on this call is poor service and therefore you will never do business with their firm due to that. They will not call back.
Other option is to get your number TPS (Telephone Preference service) registered. If you do this and you get a call - advise the caller that you are TSP registered and they should NEVER call you back. If they do, they can be charged £5000 for every TPS firm that they contact.

Please do remember to be polite. Often they are only doing their job afterall.

Many regards to you all.

Michael.

[Mark]

Old but Gold!:

Prank Call - YouTube

[graftonmedia]

Haha absolutely love this!