[AbyssUnderground]

Just had a phone call from Virgin Media... but it was no ordinary phone call. It was on my mobile phone. Now, I'm not the account holder, so how they got hold of my number is a different story, and I suspect it was when I gave it over the phone the other month when we got a techy to fit a new modem, and I was the one who would be in to let the guy in to fit it (I even made the phone call on my Dads behalf but thats not the point).

For the past 2 weeks an 08000 number has been phoning my mobile, and because I know about these fraud things about answering numbers like this and being put to premium lines charging £1 a second etc, I was simply ignoring it or sending a busy tone, but tonight I relented and finally answered it, and it was a VM Sales rep.

He asked me what my name was, and because me and my Dad both have the same surname (of course!) I said yes that was my name, no forenames mentioned. He said I had broadband with VM already, and asked me to confirm it. Then he proceeded to ask who my telephone provider was, to which I answered BT. He asked why we were on BT and not VM as they were cheaper, and I said its because we don't use it enough to need to change, we simply pay line rental, and we're on a low user package that pays you back if you don't use it. He then quoted my phone number, and he hadn't even confirmed who I was through any security at all!

Anyway he proceeded to explain how much of a better deal it was and asked why I wouldn't move. I said we simply don't use it enough. Anyway we chat a little more and he said I have a list of dates we can come and install it for you, and I was like "Woah, I never said I wanted it" and he replied with "Oh, well why not? Its cheaper. We have dates in a few weeks... " and I replied with "Look, we're fine on the one we're on now. We don't want the hassle of changing because it means time off work etc. We'll contact you if we become interested."

His exit was quite short and to the point with a simple "OK, thank you for your time, I hope to hear from you soon" and he managed to hang up as the last word was leaving his mouth!

Well... I just had to rant about it, for several reasons.

1. He didn't ask any security questions besides my name (and I'm not even the account holder yet he still spoke to me!)
2. He quoted my phone number to me without any security (I could have been anyone!)
3. He almost signed me up for a service I didn't want without even confirming I wanted it.
4. His abrupt exit was uncalled for. Just because I didn't satisfy his target doesn't mean he can take it out on me!
5. His persistence in trying to get in touch with me. One evening a week ago he called 6 times in the space of 15 minutes, which is ridiculous.

Anyone else been getting calls about services they might like, and being almost pushed into getting them without even agreeing to it? Its disgraceful. I have the right mind to complain. I'm half surprised the guy didn't try to make me upgrade my broadband too...