To be irritated beyond belief at this persistant cold caller

[alicet]

Tonight I was phoned up by a woman from a company I had never heard of asking if she could ask me a few questions. I was busy and so I told her I didn't have time. When she then persisted I reiterated that I didn't have time. When she STILL persisted I put the phone down as she obviously wasn't listening to me and I didn't have the time or inclincation to explain further when I though I had already been more than clear. Was a bit annoyed but had other things on my mind so forgot about it.

About an hour later she calls again. When she asked if I could answer the questions I said to her again that I didn't have the time. Then she asked when she could call back. I said 'actually I have a baby due in a week and a toddler so I'm not going to have the time to answer your questions' at which point she said 'Friday morning?' So very very nearly lost my rag - I mean how much clearer could I have been? I said 'I DON'T have the time' and put the phone down.

I was left seething! I know she probably has targets to meet and is only doing her job but to be fair thats not my problem. We are signed up to the telephone preference service and I always tick / untick the relevant boxes about not wanting to be contacted. And although I was probably a bit firm and abrupt with her I was never rude or raised my voice - actually by being upfront I consider that I am stopping her wasting her time on me when she could get off the line and call someone who might actually have the time to help her.

I think if she calls on Friday morning I really will lose my rag!

So AIBU?

[seeker]

I once COMPLETELY lost it with a cold caller ( the dcs were standing there open mouthed in amazement) and I have had very few since. on't know if there's a black list or something but if there is, I'm on it!

[Susianna]

No, yanbu whatsoever! Seeker that has got to be worth a try

I used to be really polite with the horrid wnker students who would roll past nightly at 3am, singing loudly and pushing each other in shopping trolleys, wrecking cars etc.
One night I yelled, 'Will you just shut up you noisy fckers and PISS OFF HOME!'

Met with absolute silence. They legged it and funnily enough it was lovely and quiet after that!

[Littlefish]

Alicet - I hate getting cold calls which is why I registered with the telephone preference service too.

All you have to say is

"I'm registered with the TPS, you should not be phoning me" and they go away pretty smartish!

Works every time for me.

[tigermoth]

You can have a bit of fun with this. If she calls, try to sell her something - tell her you are an Avon representative or Jehovah's witness, and launch into your pitch before she can get an word in.

Or wax lyrical about the fabulous service you get from a rival company. Sky representatives used to phone me and as soon as they opened their mouths I used to tell them how utterly wonderful, value for money, NTL was. Super customer service, really reliable, etc etc And I kept on and on till they got the message.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

If she was ringing from a market research agency then they are not bound by the TPS. That said, it really isn't in the interests of anyone in the market research industry to hound people like this. If she does ring on Friday, take the company's name and telephone number, as for her name and ask to speak to her supervisor. If this is refused, then ring Market Research Society:

020 7490 4911

And complain.

If she's not from a MR agency, then tell her you are registered on the TPS and she (shoud) put the phone down very quickly.

If she doesn't, ask her to take your number of her list. She is legally obliged to do this at your request.

And if she's still on the phone, don't get drawn into the conversation at all. Even explaining that you haven't got the time gives her an opportunity to talk to you. Just put the phone down.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Sorry - still have a sore finger and typing not easy so too many spelling mistakes in that last post!

[Twiglett]

register with tps

next time someone calls say 'can you hold on a minute' put the phone down (not on receiver) and just get on with whatever you were doing .. when you finally return in 10 mins or so they will be gone

[Twiglett]

who told you MR firms aren't bound by the TPS .. of course they are if they're using a cold list ... unless you have voluntarily given your phone number to be called of course in which case just tell them you want your number removed from their list

[RubberDuck]

Yep, if really consistent let them talk to the carpet and run up their phone bill.

I've had a couple of companies saying the TPS doesn't apply to them (and one who claimed I had to renew TPS membership - which was also a load of bollocks) but once I insisted on taking their company name and details to check with TPS for myself they suddenly became very apologetic and removed me from their list.

I also have a no cold callers sign on my front door - unfortunately, for some reason that doesn't prevent the Jehovah's Witnesses...

[RubberDuck]

consistent should read PERSISTENT... must not write and try and chivvy children into putting shoes on at the same time...

[mm22bys]

YANBU.

For nearly any cold caller, I just say as soon as they open their mouths "I am not interested" and hang up the phone.

One time I was rung up by Tommy, a great charity, but they wanted my bank details over the phone. I said I would give a one off donation, but they weren't interested in that. I haven't donated to them since, and doubt I will again.

I think you were actually TOO polite!

Good luck with the arrival of number 2,

[Surfermum]

I always ask for their company name and telephone number, then tell them I'm reporting them to the Telephone Preference Service. Then go on line and report them!

[sixlostmonkeys]

I'm with tigermoth - have some fun with it.

I do something different each time:

• sell them something or ask them loads of questions. "Hi (insert their name here) do you like your job? Is it your only job or do you work part time? Do you smile when you talk on the phone? Do you have nice teeth? What toothpaste do you use? You should use ...
  
  
• I had one call = Hi, I'm from blahblah, my name is Daniel, How are you today madam?
  I don't know you OR your company, what do you want?
  I'm Daniel, How are you today?
  I don't know you! Why would I tell a complete stranger how I am.
  I've told you, my Name is Daniel, now will you just TELL ME HOW YOU ARE DAMMIT!
  Well daniel, although you have a very nice name and are obviously very proud of it I still don't know you so no, I won't tell you how I am.
  Well thank you for your attitude madam
  You're welcome, goodbye
  
  
• when they call about me being chosen for a kitchen.. blah etc blah = (don't pause for breath when saying the following:
  Ohh a kitchen! I like kitchens do you like kitchens? what colour can I have? where can I put the kettle? do you like kettles? Will the kettle be near the microwave? I like microwaves. can I have a new microwave? what color can I have? will it match the kettle? I like kettles. Do you like kettles?
  
  or - let them speak then say "pardon?" let them repeat then say "pardon?" let them repeat then say "pardon?"....

[Ripeberry]

Better still, when they ring and you,ve established its them, say you need to get your DH/DP to speak to them.
Leave them stew for 2 mins or so and then come back to the phone and say, "hope i wasted YOUR time" and put the phone down.
AB

[kekouan]

Tell them you're signed up to the telephone preference service - that should get her off the phone pretty quickly!


and no, you're not.

[lljkk]

Friday morning when she rings hand the phone to your 3yo and let them jabber away at her for a while. She won't ring back .

[Lorayn]

I have someone that keeps calling me too, I know its them because it comes up as 'out of area' on my caller display, BUT every time the call I have said the TPS thingy, I think next time my 2yo can talk to them, good advice

[yaddayah]

I ask for there home phone number so I can call them just when they've served up dinner/ are getting the kids to bed, and tell them I'd be happy to discuss it at length with then then

I have once when they've asked me how I was, sobbed down the phone theatrically and started to give a list of my (fictional) ailments

[Freckle]

Get the name of the company and report them to the TPS. It is an offence to cold call someone who is signed up to the TPS (provided you haven't only just signed up as it takes a few months to take effect). Get the name of the caller (if she'll give it) and, if possible, their address and telephone number.

[EmsMum]

I can't understand why people talk to cold callers. I just say, no thank you and put the phone down. They are just trying to do their thankless jobs so I don't want to be rude or waste their time any more than I want them to waste mine.

I must get round to TPSing my work phone...keep getting an automated american lady. No idea what its about, as I always hang up at once.

[binkleandflip]

I've been on both sides of this. Been reduced to doing telesales to pay the bills and also irritated by cold callers. I always try to be polite but firm and not make it personal.

[TinyGang]

I told one yesterday that we are registered with the TSP and he shouldn't be calling. That'll tell him, I thought.

He said 'I think you mean the TPS actually'

Yes. Well... whatever I mean, I mean it!

[alicet]

Thankyou ladies for all your amusing tips as to how to deal with this! As much as she irritated me yesterday you have had me pmsl which more than makes up for it!! A part of me now hopes she does ring on Friday now!!!

[minouminou]

being self-employed, i've answered calls like this with "I'm working right now, and my hourly rate is (insert at random,depending on how arsey i'm feeling), so, how long will this take, and where do i send my invoice to?"
Got this tip off someone else - he actually followed this through one day, and he got a cheque! usually, though, this response puts paid to the call.

[BettySpaghetti]

Alicet - She wasn't from the Telegraph was she?

Its just they've apparently phoned me 2/3 times this week wanting to speak to me and "accused" me of being a Telegraph reader..

I have NEVER bought it and have only glanced at it at ILs on a handful of occasions. DP is starting to wonder whether I'm a closet Telegraph reader now and that I'm about to "come out" to him !