Call Centres

[crossroads]

Is there any way i can stop Call Centres from ringing me up?

[Jules001]

you can register with the Telephone Preference Service, but it will only stops calls from the UK, I think if the call centres are based out of the UK then they are not covered by the service.

[almcd007]

We're registered with all preference for home & business - it simply does not work.

We still get calls from British companies - telesales & marketing. I had some idiot call the other day and said "I could get the sack for calling you if you are on the telephone pref service ! Can we pretend this didn't happen ?" What a bunch of low lifes.

I've got caller ID and I dont answer unless I recognise the number - if they arent prepared to leave a message why should you talk to them ?

[divegirl]

Try this.....

(1) The three little words: "Hold On, Please..."
Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call much more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt. Then when you eventually hear BT's "beep-beep-beep" tone, you know it's time to go back and hang up your handset....you have efficiently completed your task.

or this........

(2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end? This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone. This technique is then used to determine the best time of day for a "real" salesperson to call back and get someone at home.

Lisa x

[divegirl]

ooppps...didn't all copy....

What you can do after answering: If you notice there is no one there, is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times, as quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialled the call and it kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to have your name in their system any longer!!!

[crossroads]

Cheers for all your suggestions

[gina32]

if you are still getting calls even though on the phone pref thing you should report them as they can be fined for doing it

[B00]

Until I joined the TFS as mentioned above, I have to admit to actually getting a weird sense of glee when they phoned. I used to pass the phone to my 2yr old who merrily jabbered away to them for ages for me.

[theleeroy55]

I used to work in a call centre not long ago , as much as i hated it I have learnt a few techniques to tackle call centres.

The telephone preference service is useless, it takes 6 months to fully clear your name once registered and only lasts for two years. If you tell the call centre people that your on the TPS they really don't care and may set a call back to your number out of spite (this is very common practice).

Don't swear at them or have a go at them, their trained to be even more polite when this happens, or they will put you on speaker phone so the whole office can hear you.

The best thing to do is tell them that your a business or a shop (cafe, newsagents etc) , They will remove you straight away as you hold no interest to them. Also they won't sell your details on to other companies.

I no longer work there as telesales marketing is soul-destroying

[dzug]

The TPS DOES work - not 100%, but will reduce your calls a lot.

And you do NOT need to renew after two years if you are on a residential line.

When you get such a call, get full details of who they are and complain to the TPS (having first registered of course) - companies have been fined if they persistently flout the rules.

[almcd007]

All well and good if they give you their address and phone number and of course they are telling the truth.

one mobile phone seller asked me if I was going to buy a phone from them - when I said no - he hung up on me ! Still best not to answer the phone at all unless you recognise the number. If you don't have a phone that displays the numbers - get a cheap answer machine and only answer it if you recognise them.

[gina32]

or use the anonomous call reject, ive got that and its great, if they dont show the number they cant get through