Unwanted Phone calls

[AlanHo]

There is a current thread on the forum which touches on the subject of unwanted phone calls. Rather than hijack that thread - I thought I would start another.

Like most people I get more than my fair share of unwanted phone calls and text messages - but two companies deserve special mention, Serif and Anglian Windows.

I have purchased a few things from Serif over the years but paid the price - regular and persistent "courtesy calls" with attempts to sell products I didn't need. On many occasions I tried to get the caller to accept that I already knew about the offer because I receive regular Emails from them and asked for the calls to stop - but to no avail. A few months ago I made it very clear to their sales guy that their calls were unwanted, not needed and in fact contrary to their best interests. I was so fed up of the intrusions that it was putting me off ever buying from them again and he should remove my contact details from their phone data base. Result - no more calls.

Anglian were a bigger challenge. Despite my house being fully equipped with Anglian double glazed windows, the calls kept coming. When I politely asked them to stop - they simply upped the ante, became more strident and called me more often. The fact that I am registered with the Telephone Preference Service made no difference. I even wrote to their Head Office and complained to no avail. About 18 months ago a particularly persistent pest was pushing to sell me a conservatory at half price in return for letting them use pictures of it in adverts etc. I expressed keen interest and agreed that it was a bargain too good to resist. He got quite excited and asked for my address so that their rep could call - to which I responded that there was no point - I am a tenant (I am not, I own the house and tell lies) and they would need to meet my landlord who would need to be persuaded. He immediately put the phone down and I have never heard from them again.

I bet others on the forum have similar tales to tell - can we please hear them.

[artist]

The best way is to vet your calls on an answer machine. They soon give up.....

[deuces wild]

We have "Do not call" registries here in the State. Once you register your phone number on the list companies are not permitted to call you to solicit business. If they do, they are subject to large fines.

[dadyassa]

It is illegal to cold call in UK, phone BT and make a complaint.

[r4may]

You can always use 'Call Baring' that stops calls from any number after the first is selected.

[andsome]

We changed our telephone number, and OK it was a hassle having to let everyone know, but once done there was no further bother involved. We made it quite clear to our telephone service provider, in our case NTL, that we wanted to be omitted from the telephone printed directory, but wanted our number to be available to friends and relatives etc on the directory enquiries service. As we have also informed our local council that our name and address is not to be sold on, we are now virtually free of this nuisance. I would suggest that if such a call does come in, once you are sure that it is a nuisance call, fill your lungs and shout at the top of your voice BUGGER OFF, (or worse). We no longer get these nuisance calls. I have purchased software from Serif, but gave my Hot Mail address for e-mails, and a false telephone number.

[expertec]

I would suggest that if such a call does come in, once you are sure that it is a nuisance call, fill your lungs and shout at the top of your voice BUGGER OFF, (or worse).

A quick burst of Japanese or Russian can work wonders... far more effective than mere profanities.

[andsome]

I would suggest that if such a call does come in, once you are sure that it is a nuisance call, fill your lungs and shout at the top of your voice BUGGER OFF, (or worse).

A quick burst of Japanese or Russian can work wonders... far more effective than mere profanities.

I'm afraid that I'm limited to profanities, my linguistic capabilities are VERY limited.

[jason.b.c]

The best way to stop unwanted phone calls is to tell the person or persons calling that "The one they are trying to reach has died recently"..... It worked for me......!!!! :D

[deuces wild]

The best way to stop unwanted phone calls is to tell the person or persons calling that "The one they are trying to reach has died recently"..... It worked for me......!!!! :D

When those calls were not regulated I would always ask them to hold on, put the phone down and continue what I was previously doing. It kept them in suspense and wasted *their* time. :lol:

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

A quick burst of Japanese or Russian can work wonders... far more effective than mere profanities.

Actually I found out that a single word in English, such as "Hello", makes most of my nuisance callers hang up :D

[AlanHo]

A quick burst of Japanese or Russian can work wonders... far more effective than mere profanities.

Actually I found out that a single word in English, such as "Hello", makes most of my nuisance callers hang up :D

Ah so

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

So desu ne.

[expertec]

Actually I found out that a single word in English, such as "Hello", makes most of my nuisance callers hang up :D

Well yes... I did think it would be somewhat different for you.

"I am sorry Sir, I am not getting your language" :lol:

[andsome]

Actually I found out that a single word in English, such as "Hello", makes most of my nuisance callers hang up :D

Well yes... I did think it would be somewhat different for you.

"I am sorry Sir, I am not getting your language" :lol:

It's Klingon. :)

[Rebel=UK=]

We have "Do not call" registries here in the State. Once you register your phone number on the list companies are not permitted to call you to solicit business. If they do, they are subject to large fines.

We have the TPS (Telephone Preference Service)

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.

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

Ive signed up it takes about about a mounth for it to fully stop, then when some phones you as soon as you mention TPS you get a dial tone quick sharpe :)

[AlanHo]

Don't hold your breath about the telephone preference service - I subscribed 5 years ago and although it made a difference - it has most certainly not stopped all unwanted calls.

One of the problems is that when you buy something - especially over the net - you can easily not notice a miniature tick box on the screen that you need to tick to stop them contacting you in future - or even passing your details on to others.

This counts as giving them permission which the telephone preference service will not stop.

[andsome]

Don't hold your breath about the telephone preference service - I subscribed 5 years ago and although it made a difference - it has most certainly not stopped all unwanted calls.

One of the problems is that when you buy something - especially over the net - you can easily not notice a miniature tick box on the screen that you need to tick to stop them contacting you in future - or even passing your details on to others.

This counts as giving them permission which the telephone preference service will not stop.

We too signed up many years ago when we had our old number. As you say it had some effect, but was not the answer.

[-pops-]

Unfortunately, as with many UK regulations, TPS, along with its FAX, mail and emails equivalents, is a toothless bulldog - threatens much, acts little. What we need is something like DW says - subject offenders to large fines.

[Gandalph]

Whenever I buy over the Internet or register a new program, if there is a box asking for my telephone number I always put in Ex-Directory. :D

[andsome]

Whenever I buy over the Internet or register a new program, if there is a box asking for my telephone number I always put in Ex-Directory. :D

I have done that on several occasions, but some sites will not accept that, so that's when I put a wrong number in.

Apologies to anyone who's number I have entered, causing them to get spam calls. :lol:

[AlanHo]

Why not enter the number of Serif, Anglian Windows or your favourite spammer ?

[Gandalph]

Whenever I buy over the Internet or register a new program, if there is a box asking for my telephone number I always put in Ex-Directory. :D

I have done that on several occasions, but some sites will not accept that, so that's when I put a wrong number in.

Apologies to anyone who's number I have entered, causing them to get spam calls. :lol:

I've come across the odd one or two that won't take ex-directory so I just normally stick in an old mobile number. That seems to work fairly well. :D

[andsome]

Why not enter the number of Serif, Anglian Windows or your favourite spammer ?

Brilliant idea, unless you happen to be buying from Serif at the time. :lol:

[rong]

I have no problem with serif, they phoned me once trying to sell me an older version of a program I had bought, I explained this and that I receive the E mails and would contact them if there was anything I needed, no more calls (touch wood)