FUMING!
What right do they have?
I’ve just taken a telephone call from some officious, (read that as bossy), young woman asking me how many telephone extensions I have!
When I asked her why she said it was a government survey and they were missing some details!
I asked her what government survey, (got some vague answer which didn’t make anything any clearer) and then even less enlightenment when I asked what department was doing it. (Something about a white paper!).
If this is for real, which I very much doubt, why is the government spending our taxes on this useless information gathering? Even more importantly, what gives them or anyone else for that matter the right to ring up whenever they like and demand, yes that was the tone of voice used, information that has nothing at all to do with anyone other than our telecoms supplier and then only if there is a problem.
I suspect this call was some slight of hand sales pitch. Fortunately she didn’t get the chance to launch into it as I told her it was none of her business and put the phone down.
Just to put the icing on the cake, this call has completely broken my train of thought, I'm supposed to be checking my sheep book! Grrrrr...
Comments, Pingbacks:
Comment from: davidr [Member] · http://www.freewebs.com/dwrob/
I’m a member of the Telephone Preference Service, Sue, but it doesn’t stop this kind of pain in the nether regions ringing, so I’ve adopted a strategy from a friend.
I let them get into it, then say, “hold on there’s someone at the door,” and I put the phone down on the table. I then go back to reading the paper or writing my novel. When I come back 20 minutes they’ve usually rung off.
Only thing is, you need to keep your mobile switched on in case someone important really does want to get you.
I let them get into it, then say, “hold on there’s someone at the door,” and I put the phone down on the table. I then go back to reading the paper or writing my novel. When I come back 20 minutes they’ve usually rung off.
Only thing is, you need to keep your mobile switched on in case someone important really does want to get you.
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28/07/08 @ 16:05
Comment from: sue kendrick [Member] 
· http://www.suekendrick.co.uk
· http://www.suekendrick.co.uk
That's a good idea David, but I can't do this as it is a business line. What was even more annoying was this was the second cold call I'd had within half an hour! I don't have to tell you how hard it is to pick up your thoughts when you've had interruptions of this kind.
Anyway, I've given up for today, time to enjoy the weather I think!
Anyway, I've given up for today, time to enjoy the weather I think!
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28/07/08 @ 16:29
Comment from: maureen [Member] · http://www.maureen-vincent-northam.co.uk
We're also on the TPS list as well as being ex-directory so these calls really bug me. I've been tempted to say 'would you like to speak to the Chief Inspector?' lol
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28/07/08 @ 17:47
Comment from: Thoughtfox [Visitor]
My late step father called this, 'nosey parkering'.
He even refused to answer census forms.
With this current government we have let our guard down. They use our money to spy on us and then control us.
Democracy requires vigilance.
The sinister aspect is that it has become difficult to distinguish between 'official government bodies' and cold, 'confidence trickster', callers. Especially vulnerable are the elderly.
When so many have a 'right' to personal information, how are we to defend ourselves?
He even refused to answer census forms.
With this current government we have let our guard down. They use our money to spy on us and then control us.
Democracy requires vigilance.
The sinister aspect is that it has become difficult to distinguish between 'official government bodies' and cold, 'confidence trickster', callers. Especially vulnerable are the elderly.
When so many have a 'right' to personal information, how are we to defend ourselves?
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28/07/08 @ 18:04
Comment from: sue kendrick [Member] · http://www.suekendrick.co.uk
· http://www.suekendrick.co.uk
I like the Chief Inspector idea! Thoughtfox is right though, heaven knows where our personal data lands up. I read the other day that the government wants to record every email and telephone conversation everyone makes, supposedly to track terrorist activity, but what else will they do with it? Given their recent track record with child benefit, can they be trusted? I think not!
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29/07/08 @ 11:26
Comment from: caz [Member]
I'm with you these calls are very frustrating. My number is ex-directory yet we still get them. My husband's response is 'Where did you get our number this is ex-directory? I'd like it removed from your system. This usually throws them and my husband then says 'Sorry not interested' and puts the phone down.
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29/07/08 @ 23:18
Comment from: marilyn [Member] · http://www.writelink.co.uk/blogs/marilyn
· http://www.writelink.co.uk/blogs/marilyn
They are a flipping nuisance - and is this sort of thing on the increase? I think it is. And yes, the elderly are vunerable and it's disgracful.
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30/07/08 @ 09:34
Comment from: sarah_james [Member] · http://www.milltech-systems.co.uk
· http://www.milltech-systems.co.uk
Telesales people...I could scream. I'm fed up with hearing ships horns telling me I've won a cruise to nowhere land. I think she's lucky you only put the phone down on, rather than telling her where to put her phone extensions...
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30/07/08 @ 16:23
Comment from: gillyflower [Member]
It's a global problem Sue, and certainly one we suffer from down here in the Antipodes. These tele-marketers are bypassing the Do Not Call register too according to a piece I read in the local rag this week. And you can't register with DNC if you own a business . . . ! I find switching the answering service on (even if I'm here) generally does the trick because these people never leave messages!
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02/08/08 @ 07:32
Comment from: Peter J Knight [Visitor] · http://www.byknight.com/journal
· http://www.byknight.com/journal
Disgraceful and a nuisance! As gillyflower said, a global problem.
They are shielded by anonymity - telemarketing, government agencies, surveyor kids: the callers are poor sods that have a job for pennies, but I've found it often pays to try and make it personal. Something like ...
"I should warn you this call is being recorded - your name please?"
......
"Thank you, now, your operator number?"
......
"Don't have one? That's strange - what department did you say you were calling from?"
......
"Now wait a minute please, while I check my index"
... and so on.
I doubt that they will get this far, but you get the gist. Mischievous and a little mean but it should scare that marketer (or whatever) and if they have a "list" they will probably cross you out - or mark your number and be very reluctant to call it again.
They are shielded by anonymity - telemarketing, government agencies, surveyor kids: the callers are poor sods that have a job for pennies, but I've found it often pays to try and make it personal. Something like ...
"I should warn you this call is being recorded - your name please?"
......
"Thank you, now, your operator number?"
......
"Don't have one? That's strange - what department did you say you were calling from?"
......
"Now wait a minute please, while I check my index"
... and so on.
I doubt that they will get this far, but you get the gist. Mischievous and a little mean but it should scare that marketer (or whatever) and if they have a "list" they will probably cross you out - or mark your number and be very reluctant to call it again.
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22/08/08 @ 14:54
Comment from: sue kendrick [Member] · http://www.suekendrick.co.uk
· http://www.suekendrick.co.uk
I'm beginning to think I might have fallen into a short story here!
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26/08/08 @ 13:16
Comment from: exentra [Member]
I have only just picked up on this thread but I feel just the way you all do. I am also on the TPS list but still some get through. If it is an automated voice I just hang up and if an unidentified number comes up and they ask for me by name I usually say 'Madam doesn't take calls, may I pass on a message?' They seldom do.
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02/09/08 @ 23:14