Pushy sales reps phoning me on my mobile phone in rapid succession!

[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...

I sometimes get calls like that, but if they come in on the landline my reply is invariably to totally ignore whatever they have just said to me and respond with, "This number is registered with the Telephone Preference Service. I shouldn't be receiving marketing calls from you. Could you ensure it is removed from your database please." Nine times out of 10 they apologise and hang up straight away. Once or twice I've had someone a little more persistent, but if you refuse to co-operate it doesn't take them long to realise they are wasting their time. If you don't answer their questions then they can't sign you up for anything - and you are under no obligation to answer them anything, no matter how good they are at making you feel like you owe them something (which is simply the mark of a good salesman, unfortunately).

[nffc]

Originally Posted by Chris

I sometimes get calls like that, but if they come in on the landline my reply is invariably to totally ignore whatever they have just said to me and respond with, "This number is registered with the Telephone Preference Service. I shouldn't be receiving marketing calls from you. Could you ensure it is removed from your database please." Nine times out of 10 they apologise and hang up straight away. Once or twice I've had someone a little more persistent, but if you refuse to co-operate it doesn't take them long to realise they are wasting their time. If you don't answer their questions then they can't sign you up for anything - and you are under no obligation to answer them anything, no matter how good they are at making you feel like you owe them something (which is simply the mark of a good salesman, unfortunately).

Not if your ISP is calling you - they legally can. It's unsolicited sales calls which are illegal, not sales calls.

VM are legally permitted to call an existing customer's number if it is TPS protected even for marketing purposes - they would, however, be daft to not consider your wish not to be called especially since by registering with the TPS you have expressed a preference to not receive marketing calls.

[altis]

The TPS should provide protection against all unsolicited sales calls. However, they won't stop solicited sales calls (don't forget to tick that box) or unsolicited any other sort of call - eg. marketing. A subtle difference but one that is often exploited by these callers.

They risk a £5000 fine for each and every unsolicited sales call (a point worth reminding them of). But actually getting them fined is quite a different matter. Don't bother approaching the TPS themselves, even though they offer such a service. In my experience they'll do absolutely nothing - not surprising really since it's an industry body created by these unsolicited callers just to appease the government. Better to gain good evidence and then approach your local Trading Standards office.

[Gary L]

Have you put the number that he called from in Google? be interesting to know what it comes back as.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by AbyssUnderground

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!)

In fairness, if he was trying to sell you a phone, unless you had agreed to take a phone line, he would have no need for security questions.

2. He quoted my phone number to me without any security (I could have been anyone!)

Unless you have opted to be ex-directory, your number is publically available anyway.

3. He almost signed me up for a service I didn't want without even confirming I wanted it.

Now, that is dodgy.

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!

It may have been rude, but certainly not unusual.

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.

You sure about that? Most sales people I know skip on to the next person on the list if they get no answer, but might come back in a day or so.

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...

I've had a similar experience with Talk Talk. I use them for voice landline calls. They had been calling me on and off for months, but missing me everytime. As I am the account holder, they refused to talk to anyone else. Finally, they got through to me and tried to sell me their crap broadband service. I said, sorry, no, I have a broadband service I am happy with. They asked which one. I replied that it was none of their business.

Finally, the call ended up with me politely pointing out that if I wanted anything from them, I would contact them. I also pointed out I had opted not to have any sales calls on the form (from them or third parties) I filled out, and if they did not honour that request I would be cancelling my contract with not only them, but also my mobile phone contract with the Carphone Warehouse. The sales guy actually said I must be mad, but they've not bothered me since.

Originally Posted by nffc

Not if your ISP is calling you - they legally can. It's unsolicited sales calls which are illegal, not sales calls.

VM are legally permitted to call an existing customer's number if it is TPS protected even for marketing purposes - they would, however, be daft to not consider your wish not to be called especially since by registering with the TPS you have expressed a preference to not receive marketing calls.

I could be wrong, but I believe that the DPA (1998) requires that they honour any request for them not to phone you for sales purposes. Sadly, they get around this by phoning and asking if you are happy with your services (as Talk Talk did with me).

[BenMcr]

Virgin can mark the account in question 'No Contact' for all Virgin Group marketing. This means that you won't get any more Sales calls or directly addressed marketing through the door.

Just phone Customer Services you can mark the account for you

I had a phone call from VM a few months ago. The first thing the caller said was "I know you are registered with the TPS, but would you allow us to call you to inform you of special offers, deals etc." (or words to that effect). I said that I didn't want to be contacted by phone, but I wouldn't mind being emailed about special offers. He tried to persuade me that it is better to talk by phone for such things, but I still said no. He promised not to contact me by phone again.

.

[southwell]

TPS your mobile number.
http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/

[AbyssUnderground]

Originally Posted by southwell

TPS your mobile number.
http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/

It would have no effect because they hold my number and I'm (apparently) a customer with them even though I'm not the account holder (my Dad is, I just gave them my number when a techy was due to visit). They just put the number on the account as a contact number and they can call regardless of the TPS because I'm a customer in their eyes.

I could just do when someone mentioned above and get the account flagged for no calls.

Originally Posted by AbyssUnderground

It would have no effect because they hold my number and I'm (apparently) a customer with them even though I'm not the account holder (my Dad is, I just gave them my number when a techy was due to visit). They just put the number on the account as a contact number and they can call regardless of the TPS because I'm a customer in their eyes.

I could just do when someone mentioned above and get the account flagged for no calls.

Ring 150 and speak to Customer Services.

Originally Posted by AbyssUnderground

It would have no effect because they hold my number and I'm (apparently) a customer with them even though I'm not the account holder (my Dad is, I just gave them my number when a techy was due to visit). They just put the number on the account as a contact number and they can call regardless of the TPS because I'm a customer in their eyes.

I could just do when someone mentioned above and get the account flagged for no calls.

If you register with TPS then they should not make sales calls to you, regardless of whether you are a customer or not.

[AbyssUnderground]

Originally Posted by whydoIneedatech

Ring 150 and speak to Customer Services.

Not everyone has their phone with Virgin you know Had you read the entire topic you'd know that too

[southwell]

Originally Posted by Chris

If you register with TPS then they should not make sales calls to you, regardless of whether you are a customer or not.

Yep. I should of been more clear.

Originally Posted by AbyssUnderground

It would have no effect because they hold my number and I'm (apparently) a customer with them even though I'm not the account holder (my Dad is, I just gave them my number when a techy was due to visit). They just put the number on the account as a contact number and they can call regardless of the TPS because I'm a customer in their eyes...

I am also a customer, but as I posted above, VM knew I was registered with the TPS. That's why he started the call by asking if I would consider letting them phone me. When I said no, he accepted it & said goodbye.