To think this cold caller was pushy?

[buddhasbelly]

I just had a cold caller from Scottish Power. Trying to get me to switch and fix my rate supposedly capped til 2024.

He had lost his ID badge, he then sent for his workmate to come with his. The guy who had lost his badge was actually OK but the second guy was so pushy and rude. I said I was with OVO and he kept saying no you're with SSE (sse have been bought by OVO, it seemed a weird point for him to niggle on). The 2nd guy said I seemed a bit paranoid (because I wanted to see ID). The phone number to verify the agent did connect to a woman who said she was from Scottish Power but scammers can set up phone numbers, it seemed a poor way to check.

He said they'd identified me as at risk to the price hike due to the way I pay my bill but I pay by direct debit. Isn't that how a lot of people pay?!

The 2nd guy kept pushing and said I won't get this rate if I phone up. They wanted my ACC no and sort code but I said jusg to leave it in the end as the 2nd guy was so rude and the 1st guy was working without ID.

I just kept thinking if this was a vulnerable person itd be shit to have someone being so pushy at your door.

Oh erm

YABU Sales people are jusg doing their job
YANBU sales people need to be banned

Also has anyone else had this from Scottish Power?

If you do find yourself involved in a conversation with them, and you have any bad vibes, tell them that you're just going to take their photo so that you can identify the person you dealt with, I bet they'd run a mile if they weren't kosher, lol

YABU not to have a sign up saying no cold callers. I’ve got one and we almost never get any cold callers and on the very rare occasion we do I point at the sign and close the door.

A friend of mine always says "we don't pay the bills here, it's a company rented house" cold callers can't argue with that one. I usually say I'm the cleaner

Why do your options not include the obvious that these are scammers? Report to Scottish power.

Thanks all

Yes I definitely need to be more assertive in just saying no. I'm not very good at standing up to men due to past experiences that I won't bore you with but a bit of progress in that I did tell them no in the end.

I said to them the reviews of Scottish Power are less favourable than OVO and have had good customer service (as I was saying no) I didn't need to explain myself, I've just been in a few situations where I've had to justify every action I'm making (in this case closing the door and saying no)

The 2nd guy responded saying "no have you checked out sse though, that's who's providing your gas and electric" he just kept going with stuff.

I googled the number that was on the badge and it was a Scottish power number for checking the identification of their staff but I think PP was right in that these guys are outsourced and are all about driving up sales.

The woman thag answered when I phoned their number did give the name of the guy which did make me think they were actual sales guys but probably outsourced from Scottish Power.

I said I'd phone scottish power and get the offer they were providing that way if I wanted it. The 2nd guy kept going on about how I'd have a hard time getting through (doesn't that back up my point about poor customer service?)

I'm going to take some of the solutions on this thread. No and shut the door or better yet get a sign.

It just really puzzled me how they had identified me as a "vulnerable person" (I'm on a low income) but did this through my payment method... They've clearly got data from some other means to suggest I'm "vulnerable" as I pay by direct debit.

Reviews sad bad customer service from Scottish Power not good!

I disagree with your options for YABU/YANBU
Sales people ARE doing their jobs but these guys sound like they could have been scammers, and there's a difference between doing your job and being rude and pushy.

I wouldn't have got as far in conversation with anyone door knocking anyway - just an "I'm not interested thanks" and close door.

I always state as soon as I peg they’re cold callers that I do not give out my personal details to unsolicited callers on my doorstep. They may leave a leaflet if they wish but I will not be giving out my information.

My husband sent one to the flat I use as my study today and she must have thought she was on to a winner so got quite sarky when I said the above. Just closed the door, called DH to remind him not to be so stupid and carried on with my work. Cold calling should be banned.

The options for YABU/YANBU don't really fit with the thread.

Either way next time, firm voice, smile and "No thanks - have a nice day", as you close the door. It really is that simple.

The knack is, OP, for future reference, to cut them off before they get chance to get into their spiel.
"I'm not interested" is my go to sentence, once I've established who they are, just in case they've dropped in to give me £1,000,000.
Say this while closing the door.
Job done.

The "vulnerable person" remark, was just said to get you onside and make you feel they were doing you a favour.

Only time my close the door quick technique didn't work, was many moons ago when a very elderly woman came round selling lace and lucky heather, 'cos she sat on my front door step the second the door opened as she "just needed to rest here for a bit". She didn't budge until I bought some lace off her - bloody yards of the stuff!

Definitely report. Total scam. Companies are still a bit apprehensive about sending staff to peoples homes.

But i love nothing more than telling a scammer on the phone to fuck off. Always start with a “hello Mrs Jones “. Well, living in Wales they’re bound to get a poor old mrs Jones to fall for their cheap scam. Im not Mrs Jones

I really dont care if people think im rude.

Sales people ARE doing their jobs

So were the SS, in fairness

If you struggle to be assertive, you could say something like “I do not wish to change providers and do not want to waste any more of your time or mine so I’ll leave you to go to your next call”.

But if you are feeling more confident and assertive a sharp enough “I’m not interested and really don’t appreciate being accosted on my doorstep” works well too.

I’m very good at saying a firm ‘No thank you’ and shutting the door before any cold caller gets the chance to get their first syllable out, but I do worry about the elderly and/vulnerable getting verbally bullied into doing something they might not fully understand and 100% think cold calling should become illegal.

I now want another cold caller to come to my door so I can take the assertiveness tips from this thread and put them into action. I could chuck the dog in the garden and get her to back at the door. But definitely can't say no to her wee face.

There was no point arguing or trying to justify your position to them, real salesmen or otherwise. If you are interacting then you are a potential customer to be sold to.
Once you clock that someone at the door is not there to deliver you a £1M cheque than all you need to do is say " Not interested" and close the door - in fact saying anything is optional, you can just close the door.
The moment you start answering questions and interacting then you are setting yourself to be sold to as they will (if any good at their job) be able to bend their stats and figures round any argument you may have.