AA phoned - First thing they said - I need to tell you we are recording this phone call.
Told him to stop recording it then I would speak to him, after a load of waffle, explaining why he was recording it, to make sure he did his job properly and wasn't abusive to me or me to him.
He started his waffle and I gave him a few minutes, then pointed out I still hadn't agreed to the phone call being recorded and I would now like him to delete the call even though I hadn't said anything.
He claims he can't, and starts on again about the cover if I get in an accident. I reminded him that I hadn't agreed to the phone call being recorded and found it quite strange that he phoned people up to tell them that he was recording the call.
Kept him on the phone for 9 minutes and 23 seconds.
A record so far.
That's nothing. I once told a cold caller to 'hang on while I turn the gas on the cooker down'. Poor sod was still there over twenty minutes later. 😳
[i]Hello?
Hello?
Hello?[/i]
You must feel very proud.
What exactly do you think they're going to do with the recorded message? If they do release the transcripts in The Telegraph, I will change papers.
You must feel very proud.
No I feel utterly ashamed of myself actually, and perform a daily ritual penance of listening to Lionel Ritchie's 'Hello'. 😐
As I have done here.
Am I forgiven?
What I don't like is when your bank or credit card or someone ring up about your account, then ask you for security information to verify who you are. I pointed out to my bank the other day that they could be anyone, which clearly hadn't occurred to the chap, so I wasn't going to tell him anything and would they like to post it to me. Which they did. 🙂
I've challenged my bank with my own security questions in those situations before. Really knocks them for 6.
I always think I'd like to wind up a cold caller, but guilt gets the better of me - they're only doing a job, and possibly not that great paid a job in the grand scheme of things, without getting grief from me. It's only if they're cheeky or such like that I'll start back at them. Also never verify stuff to anyone claiming to be the bank (or any company even), I know who I am, they should prove who they are and that they should be speaking to me.
I don't mind most security questions but what gets my goat is when they ask me to confirm my telephone number.
Er, its the eleven digits you just put into the phone at your end and also happens to be the correct code for my little box of tricks that just rang. Which I have just answered.
OP you are AWESOME
I've challenged my bank with my own security questions in those situations before. Really knocks them for 6.
+1
The "how do I know who you say you are? Can you answer these questions about my account..." always throws them. 😀
Yes, the bank calling and refusing to speak to you until they have verified who you are is a strange one. Especially when they cannot confirm who they until they have confirmed who you are.
What is that all about then?
As bazookajoe says it's probably just some bloke doing a job. By holding them on the line you're probably just destroying any chance he has of getting a bonus or the like.
I always think I'd like to wind up a cold caller, but guilt gets the better of me - they're only doing a job
And I'm only trying to chill out in the comfort and privacy of my own home, and don't take to kindly to the telephone I pay for getting clogged up with calls from people trying to sell me stuff I don't want. Why don't those call centre workers 'only do a job' which doesn't involve intruding on my privacy?
Junk mail I can ignore, throw in bin. Cold calls, I have to answer. Speshly annoying when you're expecting an important call.
So, no sympathy.
[i]'I was only doing my job'[/i]
Where've we heard that before, eh?
Thin end....
Similar with the CSA phoning me once
They phoned me, then said I needed to answer some questions so they could check they were speaking to the right person 🙄 apparently I failed their identification test, so they couldn't continue the call -at which point they stalled and went into a flat spin when I reminded them that they were phoning me, and that it was ridiculous phoning me and asking me to identify myself, as if it wasn't me, they wouldn't have had my phone number,
Next time they call, I'm going to ask them a series of questions to prove who they are before I'll speak to them 😆
just to let you know, I'm writing down everything that's been said in this thread
Why not list your numbers on the TPS then ???
TPS doesn't actually work when call centres are based abroad, that's why...
Anyway; why should I have to pay extra just to stop unwanted callers?
No need to abuse the poor sod on the end of the line, but tell me why I should respect a company that doesn't respect my right to privacy?
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[/img] PLEASE THINK of the environment before printing this thread
Is not a bit silly for a bank to record calls were you are going through security questions? 😀
Sorry Elfin, but if the company is calling on behalf of a company that is based in the UK then they do have to screen their calls against the TPS list.
And the TPS is free ???
just to let you know, I'm writing down everything that's been said in this thread
Why not just copy and paste it, like a normal person would (well, if thay actually did need to record the content...)? 😕
Technology FAIL, Brakes. Sorry, but it's true.
Sorry Elfin, but if the company is calling on behalf of a company that is based in the UK then they do have to screen their calls against the TPS list.
I know folk who have it, and it doesn't actually work very well. Even against 'UK based' companies.
I din't realise it was free though. Thought you had to pay for it. Din't you used to?
I worked in tele sales, TPS doesn't work really. People report less calls but it depends on how the company got your number as to if they call. Some people would get upset you called them, quote laws and stuff as they had TPS. That was the worst job I ever had.
I agree with the sentiment that they're got a job to do and it's better than going robbing grannies. However, it doesn't apply to the AA. Once they get your number for one thing, every business stream they have will pester you forever.
Sorry Elfin, but if the company is calling on behalf of a company that is based in the UK then they do have to screen their calls against the TPS list
Do you not get people phoning up doing a survey then? This appears to be a way round the TPS (either that or our TPS registration doesn't work).
However, it doesn't apply to the AA
And BT
ELF sorry my friend you are wrong in your attitude about throwing junk mail in the bin.
What you should do is stuff it all back into the pre paid envelope and send it back so they pay 2 lots of postage as well as the costs of opening to find nowt of any worth inside but your address 😉
To be honest in the year since we have listed with the TPS we have only had two marketing calls, and both were the result of not ticking the "buggar off and never call me" box on paperwork.
Registered after being pestered several times a night over a period of weeks by 3 mobile networks automated phone calling.
We registered with the TPS and the calls all but stopped. If we get a call, we mention the TPS and they nearly always say sorry and hang up.
It works well for us.
Yeah, I've sent other companies' stuff back in those, but tbh, I can't be arsed wasting my time with it.
I have a sticker on my door saying 'no junk mail', but it seems to be about as effective as TPS. 😐
I am dissapointed 😉
[url= http://www2.royalmail.com/you-home/controlling-your-mail ]Junk mail opt out[/url]
I work designing contact centre platforms and the client I am working with at the moment is having to spend the most obscene amount of time and money on their systems to move towards PCI compliance. EVERYTHING has to be thought of, a new system that detects what screen an agent is on in the sales system and then sends a message to the network telling the call recording system to mask the digits the customer is entering for credit cards etc, so that it can't be listened to via the recording system. Also, the whole network is having to be looked at, as well as the back office systems to ensure that the only things that can possibly have any contact with your card details are non-human!! Its all so complicated, and a few companies have sprung up to provide the technology for all this compliance. I must admit though, I dot like outbound calling 🙂
Why don't those call centre workers 'only do a job' which doesn't involve intruding on my privacy?
Maybe it's the only job they could get, or was on offer? I totally understand your point of view though, but for me I just don't get that wound up by it. Anyone important will phone on my mobile, the house phone can always get unplugged or ignored, or youngest daughter can answer it, she's good at screening calls - even screens out family sometimes which is useful
has anybody had the call from a guy saying 'hello, you have a computer & the internet, can you' then he talks you through some rubbish via telnet & basically says you have a virus. he is very pushy & difficult to get rid of. i found it amusing when i hung up & he called back straight away. i let him go through it all but then said i had a mac (i don't) but he then hung up. i also informed my mum about this & a few weeks later she got the same. she said she had a mac & it got rid of him.
anyone else had this?
I had one of those calls from my credit card company at the weekend, asking me to pass the security questions. I nearly got annoyed and put the phone down but glad I didn't - it turned out my card was defrauded and sales of £4k+ had been attempted via Groupon and KGB 😮
AA phoned - First thing they said - I need to tell you we are recording this phone call.
"S'ok, I'm recording it too"
This is the funniest thing I've read on here today:
don't take to kindly to the telephone I pay for getting clogged up with calls from people trying to sell me stuff I don't want.
Elfinsafety - MemberThat's nothing. I once told a cold caller to 'hang on while I turn the gas on the cooker down'. Poor sod was still there over twenty minutes later
Hope you weren't expecting an important call that day.
I find a polite 'no, sorry, I'm not interested, have a good day' and then hang up works fine. No need to be rude, or to keep folks hanging on the phone.
[i]I work designing contact centre platforms and the client I am working with at the moment is having to spend the most obscene amount of time and money on their systems to move towards PCI compliance. [/i]....
Tell me about it, it's my biggest pain in the bum is PCI.
Hope you weren't expecting an important call that day.
I was not, otherwise I would just have hung up.
No need to be rude, or to keep folks hanging on the phone.
I'm never rude, apart from when you get people who won't take no for an answer, and are unreasonable, like the debt-collection firm acting for someone I've never had any dealings with ever. As for hanging on the telephone, this woman made me do it...
Besides, it prevents them harassing other poor folk, dunnit?
TPS works for me - I get very few marketing calls.
I often string 'em along for a bit - especially the real scams.
Lynchmob +1 he tried to tell me my computer had flashed up a red triangle. I just kept asking what he thought was wrong, and how he knew there was a virus. Apparently a Bangkok computer specialist was my virus control. Unfortunately I am cack-handed with a computer and eventually we agreed to part as friends. I s get the odd email, but we don't talk anymore.
it seems to be about as effective as TPS.
Elfin: I think you'll find it works better if you actually register for it....... 😉
Elfin you are a plum! 🙂 just say no thanks, phone down job done.. having said that I don't believe the cold caller sat patiently for 20 mins at all. Anything to be inflammatory eh 🙂
Elfin you are a plum!
I spose it's better than being likened to a terrorist! 😆
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jonb - Member
AA phoned - First thing they said - I need to tell you we are recording this phone call."S'ok, I'm recording it too"
how about:
"s'okay, I'm watching you right now on my screen. Don't look so worried..."
😀 she and the badgers look a bit mashed!
Had a letter from itv meridian telling my son they will be able to support his transition to the fully digital signal switch over. Apparently they're doing this subcontracted by the BBC. It only cost £50 for this service.
Whats wrong with that you might ask?
I pay the TV license, and it doesn't mention my son when I renew it each year, oh, and if they have been sold his details, surely they must know he's a Statemented Autistic 6yr old child! 😈
Later on, we saw the funny side and had a good laugh about it I can tell you
I got called by a local company and quoted the TPS thing to them, expecting very little response, but got the head of telesales who proceeded to apologise then insisted on assuring me that he would investigate the source of their telesales data and ensure that it would never happen again. All a bit of marketing flannel you might think, but later that day I got a phone call from the Managing Director, apologising in person.
They were very nice chaps, although the object was actually to reduce the number of unwanted calls...
TPS worked for me when I was in the UK, and also for my mobile too.
NSFW due to naughty words, but I think this would stop cold callers:
defaultslipper
very pushy isn't he lol
A couple of friends of mine had the computer virus scam call, I'm still waiting for one so I can act like a complete numpty before saying asking why I can't see a particular screen on my Mac Mini.
I'm registered with the TPS, but I'm getting increasing numbers of cold calls, and many are marketing calls. I usually say I'm not interested and cut them off, because I forget to mention TPS.
I'm never rude, apart from when you get people who won't take no for an answer
Now that is funny coming from elfin/astrid 🙂
I hardly ever get cold callers. you lot must have been sticking your phone numbers into some dirty little boxes.
later that day I got a phone call from the Managing Director, apologising in person.They were very nice chaps, although the object was actually to reduce the number of unwanted calls...
Do you think it was actually a very subtle prank? 😆
The compuer scam calls are so much sport, playing dumb and seeing how long you can play them along.
The worst one I have had recently was when I made the mistake of getting a quote for private healthcare via MoneySupermarket. I expected to get a computer-generated quote as I went through the steps online but at the end I got a message saying 'someone will call you shortly to discuss your requirements'.
So I got the call and I made it clear from the start that I had just started looking, that I wasn't looking to buy and I would be looking elsewhere. By the end of the call I was getting pressure so I politely said I was thinking about it. Three phone calls later and I have now lost all patience and told him that if he rings again I won't choose his product, no matter how good it is, because I am fed up with the high pressure sales.
At one point he said something along the lines of 'I can see you are a busy man so let's get this policy set up so if (god forbid) anything awful happened to your children then they will be covered'.
Wnaker.
Calls I can handle, junk mail from marketing companies I can handle.
It's the charity clothing sacks that do my head in!!! At least 4 a week from various good causes. I wish I owned that many clothes to give them away every week, (washed and ironed of course).
Do people still have land lines? How quaint.
Hmm yeah - I have long since given away any clothes worthy of reselling to Cancer Research and BHF, the stuff the charities don't want taken to the local [s]tip[/s] recycling centre where they are packaged up and sent to the cold and starving in Middlesbrough.
So every time we get a bag I dutifully leave it out (as instructed) for the collectors to pick up and re-use. Not once have they ever been collected though so they end up being used as bin bags.
Best way to deal with cold callers is... say you are really busy... pick a time say 9 - 10 hrs. ahead when you are sure they will have finished their shift and say I will phone you back......but Sir I will have finished my shift by then.......no worries I reply ....just give me your mobile/home number and we can talk then!
Never managed to get a number!
If it's to do with house improvements, such as double-glazing, sound very interested and let them waste loads of time telling you all about the features. Sound as if you want the 'deluxe' version of anything they're offering - then, right at the end when they discuss payment, casually say that "Oh, you'll need to talk to the council about that, because this is rented accomondation."
If (like me) you're a pedant, then when they ask to "confirm your address" etc. say OK.
After a pause they'll ask again, to which you reply "tell me what you think it is and I'll confirm if it's right or not".
Had a strange call from someone trying really hard to sell me UPVC fascia boards for a rented first floor flat (in a 3 story house). Wouldn't take no for an answer!
We were also 'selected' once to get free front windows if we agreed to appear in the brochure. I just said "Have you seen our house? It's ugly, you really don't want it in the brochure." Tumbleweeds, click...
Next time I get a sales call, I'm going for the following approach:
"Windows? Great, we need some new ones. First, let me tell you about Jesus!" and see who hangs up first.
My da got a windows cold caller a peach
Got him in got him to talk through loads of windows and doors etc - as yoi said sounded like the delux version
Asked about garage doors - went out to measure it - opened the garage door and all the windows and doors for the house were looking back - chap knew he had been had !
So, no sympathy.'I was only doing my job'
Where've we heard that before, eh?
Thin end....
Today we will try and sell you things that you don't want and tomorrow take over the world!! Muhahaha
I keep getting the virus scam one, and I mean weekly! So I've taken to saying one of these options;
'but I don't have a computer..'
'but I have a mac...'
'WHY ARE YOU LYING TO ME!?'
'AaarGh!!!!!!'
'oh ok, and so my IP address, where do I find that? Yeah ok...hang on......
....
....
....''
TPS has worked well for us but the calls that bug me are the automated ones where you make the effort to answer it and you get there and get some cr*ppy generated message before a human talks to you. I used to get annoyed but now just put the phone down.
Why don't those call centre workers 'only do a job' which doesn't involve intruding on my privacy?
Because they didn't stick in at school and so have landed a really crap job. And they seem to take exception to you pointing that out to them.
'oh ok, and so my IP address, where do I find that? Yeah ok...hang on......
try giving them 198.81.129.125