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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to scream at the person who wont hang up?

31 replies

want2sleep · 08/03/2011 07:30

Ok this research/call centre been calling me several times a day...each time I say politely 'No thank you I don't want to take part in market research' I then hang up as they don't seem to understand the word 'No'!

Their number is withheld and they have never given me the name of their company but I think it is in India as accents are not english ever.

Other day they called again...they sometimes don't even talk when they call (now i have had abusive ex be violent to me so paranoid it is also ex sometimes which also freaks hell out of me when no one talking on other end)...I can sometimes hear the noise of other callers making their calls...so I say 'Hello' 'Hello' 'Who is there' several times....I put phone down, pick it up they are still on line so I can't dial out....what if I needed to call ambulance as ds been having seizures?

After 30 minutes I lost my rag and started to screm'get off my f@@@ing line now I need to phone 999!'. I put phone down pick it back up they are still on line...I scream again' I need to phone an ambulance get off my line'....puts phone down...picks phone up still on line grrr!

Two hours later I check then eventually line is free! How do I stop this telephone harrassment!

AIBU?

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 08/03/2011 07:33

That's awful. You can register with the Telephone Preference Service which stops these calls. Then if you get any more ask them which company they're calling from. They have to tell you, legally they have to anyway.

Then just tell them that you're registered with TPS and they're breaking the law by contacting you and that you're going to report them.

It stopped all the calls for me.

HecateTheCrone · 08/03/2011 07:35

TPS won't stop them if they actually are overseas.

Or you could get rid of them by actually participating.

What's your name
Regina falangee

what's your dob
1 april 1950

are you a homeowner
no (to answer no is very important!)

bank account?
bankrupt

etc etc

basically have fun, but no real details and nothing that makes them think you have money.

then they have no reason to call you again, do they?

Zingylemontart · 08/03/2011 08:17

Referee whistle might work - not sure on the legality of it, though. :-)

Ooopsadaisy · 08/03/2011 08:27

Use the Telephone Preference Service.

Do not get arsey with the person on the phone. They are just doing their job and probably think it's a bag of shite too.

Just ask to be transferred to their senior manager. That's the way to express your annoyance. The bod on the phone is just doing as she's told. Shit job, shit money, no other way to pay the mortgage.

Original poster
want2sleep · 08/03/2011 08:27

hehe I am going to make up a fantasy character...thanks for the advice...can't wait for them to call now Grin

Bloody pain in backside though!

OP posts:
Primafacie · 08/03/2011 08:43

Or do as I do and say "Actually, this is really not a good time for me. Can you give me your home number and I will call you back in the evening?". The answer is always no (duh) so I go "Oh, so I guess you don't want people to bother you at home? Well now you know how I feel." Grin

Flisspaps · 08/03/2011 08:48

TPS doesn't work for overseas call centres.

oh4goodnesssake · 08/03/2011 08:50

Primafacie that is classic. I can't wait for another one of these timewasters to call me now so that I can use that Smile

thumbwitch · 08/03/2011 08:54

I had this once from work, when I was on call. They called me, then left the line open. I tried screaming, whistling, you name it, I tried it - but there is no amplification on the phone when it isn't by the ear, so it's very difficult to attract attention to an improperly replaced receiver. You could try your smoke alarm though - that should penetrate and be loud enough to alert someone.

In my case I had to use my mobile phone to call the hospital switch board to get them to phone the ward who had left the phone off teh hook and tell them to hang it up. Still took over 20 minutes, and other people could have been trying to get hold of me in that time.

Lambzig · 08/03/2011 08:55

TPS does work for overseas call centres if the company employ the call centre is UK based (eg the utilities companies or phone companies.

My favourite is if its a US company and you tell them that they are breaking the law by calling you (even if they arent). They cant get off the phone quickly enough and dont seem to bother you again.

aurynne · 08/03/2011 09:06

When they leave the line on hold... just disconnect the phone cable off the wall for 2-3 minutes. Has always worked for me.

Original poster
want2sleep · 08/03/2011 11:15

BINGO!!!

Phone rang man...hello can I speak to the lady of the house?

ME: oh she's not here at the moment

Man: this is the National UK Call Centre can I have a few mintes of your time?

ME: What's your name?

Man: Shaggy (yer right)

ME: Can I have your home phone number?

Man: Why are you asking me for my home phone number?

ME: so I can call you back at home when you don't want annoying phonecalls hehehehehe

Man: oh HO HO HO

I hang up...made me laugh though...will have Tressa Green ready for next one hahahaha!

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 08/03/2011 11:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kenobi · 08/03/2011 11:32

< nothing to add, just busy making note of all the useful suggestions! >

Gingefringe · 08/03/2011 11:44

I always ask 'are you trying to sell me something?' - reply is always 'no, of course not we're offering a service'. Then I reply - 'that's a shame cos I was ready to spend a lot of money with you tonight!' and put the phone down.

With junk mail I always send a banana skin back to them in their expensive pre-paid envelopes.

Aah - the things we do for a small laugh!!

KnittedBreast · 08/03/2011 11:45

i love that, i am looking forward to that next time i get a call!

Primafacie · 08/03/2011 14:31

Glad I could help!

frazzle26 · 08/03/2011 20:32

When someone calls and I don't want to speak to them I just tell them that my mum isn't at home right now as I've always been told how young I sound on the phone. Works a charm!!

ilovemyhens · 08/03/2011 21:38

Just try answering "yes" to each and every one of their questions Grin No details, just the word yes.

Punkatheart · 08/03/2011 21:44

TPS takes several weeks to work and it is only for sales calls. Market research is allowed, unfortunately....

MavisEnderby · 08/03/2011 21:45

I have found it useful to use this one (partly after a particularly trying call from a call centre after dp died wanting to speak to him)I now use it if any of these marketing people ring me

"Is that Miss X?"

Me,"No I'm sorry she died 2 months ago" if this doesn't deter them you can resort to mock hysterical sobbing down the phone.Works a treat

ilovemyhens · 08/03/2011 22:17

We kept getting calls for somebody called Mrs Couttes and last time they phoned I told them she'd just died in a tragic accident. They haven't phoned back Hmm

hissymissy · 08/03/2011 22:59

Hahaha! Some great ideas here, have been chuckling merrily!

LessNarkyPuffin · 08/03/2011 23:18

I just say, "How did you get this number? It is ex-directory. This is illegal." Usually works.

LittleJennyRobyn · 08/03/2011 23:23

Reading this reminded me of a thread i found on MSE, it's the funniest thing i ever read. Theres some great ideas for getting rid of unwanted callers. It is long but well worth the readSmile

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=741653&highlight=zincoxide

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