Topic: Cold callers

[Tino]

In the last year or so I have been getting lots of calls from random companies and it's really starting to get on my nerves.
Hello sir would you be interested in a wasching mashine/ cheaper calls/ I've got this great investment opportunity/ blah blah blah.
Generally I keep saying no thanks, I've already got 3 kitchens. or How did you get my number as it's not listed anywhere.

I found this web site called TPS (telephone preference service)

Quote

Welcome to TPS Online. The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) helps you to make sure your telephone number is no longer available to organisations, including charities and voluntary organisations who may telephone you with offers and information you do not wish to receive Under Government legislation introduced on 1st May 1999 and replaced on 11th December 2003 by the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, it is unlawful to make unsolicited direct marketing calls to individuals who have indicated that they do not want to receive such calls. You can either do this by contacting companies directly and asking them not to call you or you can register with a central register - the TPS. Before you register however... You should reflect on the fact that registering may well prevent you from receiving information which you would really like to have - thereby cutting you off from relevant and worthwhile opportunities. For charities, telemarketing is an economical way to raise awareness and much needed support. If you are happy to receive telemarketing calls from some companies but not others, contact the companies who you do not wish to hear from and ask them to remove your details from their call lists. Registering your telephone number on TPS will stop telemarketing calls from all companies, charities and voluntary organisations not just some! Registration will also prevent organisations who regard you as a customer, or in the case of charities, donors from calling you again, unless you have previously told them that you have no objection to them calling you. Do you know you can register mobile telephone numbers? The Telephone Preference Service can accept the registration of mobile telephone numbers, however it is important to note that this will prevent the receipt of live marketing voice calls but not SMS (text) messages. This is because under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2004 it is unlawful to send an unsolicited sales and marketing text message. Telemarketing companies who send SMS messages need your prior permission. There is no obligation therefore for companies sending SMS messages to people who have agreed to receive them, to screen against the TPS file. If you wish to stop receiving SMS marketing messages, please send an 'opt-out' request to the company involved. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is responsible for the enforcement of these regulations. Please click on the useful links page for their details

I've registered all my numbers from my address (business, home and mobiles) only a few days ago.

Is anyone else using this service, and have you been using it for a while? How well does it work?

I'm hoping that these sales calls will stop soon as I'm getting really f**ked of and very frustrated.

[Triggerhappybaby]

We registered with this about a year ago and we have had precisely ZERO cold callers since where previously we were under attack from them. Wholly recommend it

[Snap]

Quote (Triggerhappybaby @ July 11 2006,17:08)

We registered with this about a year ago and we have had precisely ZERO cold callers since where previously we were under attack from them. Wholly recommend it

Yep same here.

Quote (Snap @ July 11 2006,17:22)

Quote (Triggerhappybaby @ July 11 2006,17:08) We registered with this about a year ago and we have had precisely ZERO cold callers since where previously we were under attack from them. Wholly recommend it Yep same here.

yep, it's wonderful '>

[TallGuy]

Used to get 6 -7 a day so rigged up an old modem to screen calls. Then went TPS and only get one or two a month now from Mobile phone companies. I answer them by asking them more question than then can ask me and refusing to answer their questions till they answer mine...it's a game now and I can usually get them to hang up. The best question I have for them is.... have you heard of TPS and do your know it's a £2000 fine for calling me.  Click.......

Anyone who has got a MBNA credit card will know the hassle you get from them.... it's so hard not to be rude.... reminds me of the TANJEWBERRYMUDS story.  

[Burger]

The best thing I ever saw was somehting "40 year old virgin"

If you have not seen it rent it! '>

She thinks a cold caller is on the phone and goes into one, Telling them to jump of a building! '>

[Weaver]

Quote (Triggerhappybaby @ July 11 2006,17:08)

We registered with this about a year ago and we have had precisely ZERO cold callers since where previously we were under attack from them. Wholly recommend it

Yep - we've been registered a couple of years - what a difference!!  '>

[Triggerhappybaby]

Hey Burger - reminds me of that Peter Kaye video with his wife's cold caller...

" For the third and final time, 'ow big are your tits" '>  '>  oh my aching sides

[Drei]

Quote (TallGuy @ July 11 2006,22:57)

Used to get 6 -7 a day so rigged up an old modem to screen calls. Then went TPS and only get one or two a month now from Mobile phone companies. I answer them by asking them more question than then can ask me and refusing to answer their questions till they answer mine...it's a game now and I can usually get them to hang up. The best question I have for them is.... have you heard of TPS and do your know it's a £2000 fine for calling me.  Click....... Anyone who has got a MBNA credit card will know the hassle you get from them.... it's so hard not to be rude.... reminds me of the TANJEWBERRYMUDS story.

I usually ask them: "So you call in the middle of the day and I am at home not working, do you think I can afford anything you sell???"

That's when I am at home in day time, else I don't care:)

One time I kept a guy on the line for 40 minutes while I was playing a game asking all sort of stupid questions then he says "So you are just wasting my time sir... (hangs up)"  

[Darkmonster]

They have a "National Do Not Call" thing here, we registered as soon as it came out, and almost overnight, the calls stopped...

On the odd occasion they do call (there's loopholes everywhere for them to get round it) I usually answer in my very best posh English butler's voice & say....
"Please hold on a moment, I'm preparing the Master's dinner & it will burn if I don't get to it" '> '>

Then just go about doing whatever I was doing....they hold for about 5 mins & then don't call back....