How to deal with cold callers

by Andy on Mon Jan 29, 2018 2:25 pm

Had one the other day. I just spoke in French, which buggered him completely as he didn't speak a word of it.
Had German as my back-up.

by gelico on Mon Jan 29, 2018 3:27 pm

i get them frequently

i just ask if they are ok to hang on for a minute then just put the phone to one side and carry on doing whatever it is i'm doing.

i have no idea how long they hold on for before hanging up

Cool

by eddie on Mon Jan 29, 2018 4:07 pm

Hahaha gels I do that!

I get the ones calling and saying “I’ve heard you’ve been in accident” (I haven’t) so I now reply:

“Yes! And I died! What can you do for me?”

by Fred Moletrousers on Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:32 pm

eddie wrote:Hahaha gels I do that!

I get the ones calling and saying “I’ve heard you’ve been in accident” (I haven’t) so I now reply:

“Yes! And I died! What can you do for me?”

I have great fun with those buggers....I've managed to involve them in lengthy and rambling conversations about broken limbs, whiplash injuries, eyesight damage from flying glass and even severed testicles (I kid you not!) and I think my record so far is 16 minutes.

For some reason they suddenly lose interest when I casually mention..."of course, I was as pissed as a fart at the time, and my case comes up next week..."

by eddie on Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:43 pm

Fred Moletrousers wrote:
eddie wrote:Hahaha gels I do that!

I get the ones calling and saying “I’ve heard you’ve been in accident” (I haven’t) so I now reply:

“Yes! And I died! What can you do for me?”

I have great fun with those buggers....I've managed to involve them in lengthy and rambling conversations about broken limbs, whiplash injuries, eyesight damage from flying glass and even severed testicles (I kid you not!) and I think my record so far is 16 minutes.

For some reason they suddenly lose interest when I casually mention..."of course, I was as pissed as a fart at the time, and my case comes up next week..."

Hahahaha it’s a Gemini thing Fred, we are the double talkers of the double talkers and can sell ice to the eskimos. Cool

I started listing all the broken crap I had for sale once, that bores them pretty quick.

by Fred Moletrousers on Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:49 pm

eddie wrote:
Fred Moletrousers wrote:

I have great fun with those buggers....I've managed to involve them in lengthy and rambling conversations about broken limbs, whiplash injuries, eyesight damage from flying glass and even severed testicles (I kid you not!) and I think my record so far is 16 minutes.

For some reason they suddenly lose interest when I casually mention..."of course, I was as pissed as a fart at the time, and my case comes up next week..."

Hahahaha it’s a Gemini thing Fred, we are the double talkers of the double talkers and can sell ice to the eskimos.

I started listing all the broken crap I had for sale once, that bores them pretty quick.

Yep, we Geminis are a force to be reckoned with when the scammers come a'calling...

...talking of which, as for those ubiquitous Nigerian characters from either "BT or Microsoft technical support" who are terribly concerned that my computer should have told their computer that it had caught a nasty virus and that they could help me to get rid of it, I once spent at least ten minutes effecting my "silly old git voice" in half convincing him that the icon on my toolbar - the one that I should be pressing to allow him to connect to my PC - was a genuine Russian antique dedicated to St Vladimir of Novgorod...and that it wasn't on my computer, it was hanging on my study wall.

by eddie on Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:23 pm

Nice.

by Syl on Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:48 pm

If I get a cold call I just say..."where did you get this number, its ex directory and not for public use"...I usually get an apology and they don't call back.

by Syl on Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:54 pm

HoratioTarr wrote:

by Cass on Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:18 am

I hang up instantly. Then I block the number. Ain’t nobody got time to bother with long stories. I used to blow a whistle but I got bored doing that.

by HoratioTarr on Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:44 am

Syl wrote:If I get a cold call I just say..."where did you get this number, its ex directory and not for public use"...I usually get an apology and they don't call back.

A quick 'fuck off' does the trick too.

by Fred Moletrousers on Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:44 am

Syl wrote:If I get a cold call I just say..."where did you get this number, its ex directory and not for public use"...I usually get an apology and they don't call back.

by Fred Moletrousers on Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:46 am

Cass wrote:I hang up instantly. Then I block the number. Ain’t nobody got time to bother with long stories. I used to blow a whistle but I got bored doing that.

The problem with that is that most of the cold calls are "international", "withheld" or fake UK numbers and the call blocker is ineffective with those unless you instruct it to block all international and withheld numbers. That can be tricky as I know that the NHS, at least in this area, use withheld numbers when contacting patients by phone.

by nicko on Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:48 am

These callers are people who are just trying to earn a living. You don't have to be nasty to them, just say "sorry not interested" and put your phone down !

by Syl on Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:56 pm

HoratioTarr wrote:
Syl wrote:If I get a cold call I just say..."where did you get this number, its ex directory and not for public use"...I usually get an apology and they don't call back.

A quick 'fuck off' does the trick too.

Well I wouldn't do that, my grandson worked in a call centre in York last year to help fund his first year at uni, many cold callers are just youngsters trying to earn a few quid.

Also....annoy them and they may target your number and ring more often. Twisted Evil

by magica on Tue Jan 30, 2018 1:13 pm

I just hang up. Mind you, you could say hang on then go out, they will hang up eventually lol.

by eddie on Tue Jan 30, 2018 1:45 pm

nicko wrote:These callers are people who are just trying to earn a living. You don't have to be nasty to them, just say "sorry not interested" and put your phone down !

Ah yes, as polite as you are when you click on Lurker’s ‘Trump’ thread.

by nicko on Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:37 pm

Ooooh, hark at her !

O

by Cass on Tue Jan 30, 2018 3:33 pm

Fred Moletrousers wrote:
Cass wrote:I hang up instantly. Then I block the number. Ain’t nobody got time to bother with long stories. I used to blow a whistle but I got bored doing that.

The problem with that is that most of the cold calls are "international", "withheld" or fake UK numbers and the call blocker is ineffective with those unless you instruct it to block all international and withheld numbers. That can be tricky as I know that the NHS, at least in this area, use withheld numbers when contacting patients by phone.

Yes I seem to remember not being able to block international when we were with TalkTalk but then again, in 2008 and previous years we were not getting the amount we are today. I even get them and fake texts on my mobile. We just switched companies for our landline and got free caller ID and blocking as an option. They are doing the spoof local numbers now too but if it’s not a number I recognize I let it go to the answering machine and screen it. If it’s genuine I pick up and if not as soon as it’s hung up I block it. We have the federal Do Not Call list and we’re on it, but it allows charities and political robocalls which defeats the purpose.

by eddie on Tue Jan 30, 2018 5:31 pm

nicko wrote:Ooooh, hark at her !
O

True though.

by nicko on Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:11 pm

You only say that because he's a friend of your lover ! he's a "spammer" full stop and Ben lets him get away with it, as do you !

by Cass on Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:39 am

nicko wrote:You only say that because he's a friend of your lover ! he's a "spammer" full stop and Ben lets him get away with it, as do you !

If you believe that, as you’ve said elsewhere, why don’t you leave here then?

by nicko on Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:00 am

And why don't you mind your own business?

by WhoseYourWolfie on Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:42 am

nicko wrote:
You only say that because he's a friend of your lover ! he's a "spammer" full stop and Ben lets him get away with it, as do you !

Technically, Lurker isn't a genuine "spammer", as

* even though he has a thread dedicated to rubbishing Trump, he still covers several different subjects around that central theme -- a proper spammer would only be pishing one subject/product/service over-and-over;

* Lurker has his other jokes thread, and occasionally (if rare..) posts elsewhere;

* Ben has approved Lurker's Trump thread, whereas a spammer will continue to flood his/her victims with unwanted and unsolicited dross;

* and finally; Because the anti-Trump memes have their own thread, nobody has to look at if they don't want to see it's content...

by nicko on Wed Jan 31, 2018 12:00 pm

That's how he gets away with it, posting a few other subjects now and again, must think posters don't notice !

by Cass on Wed Jan 31, 2018 2:35 pm

nicko wrote:And why don't you mind your own business?

Free forum old chap. So it is my business. Just because you’re ill doesn’t give you the right to act like a sly toddler playing mummy off against daddy and then having a tantrum when found out.

If this place, it’s admin, mods and owners makes you feel that we are all brainwashed liars, then perhaps you would be better off posting elsewhere and saving yourself the hassle.

Have a good day.

by Original Quill on Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:01 pm

nicko wrote:That's how he gets away with it, posting a few other subjects now and again, must think posters don't notice !

What is your problem? Lurker isn't trying to sell anything. He has no ulterior motive. He simply expresses, through memes, a variety of messages having to do with the relevant theme of his thread.

He's one of the best, most disciplined of posters we have. You don't like the message, that's all. Let's call it what it is...misusing the rules to quell political ideas, when the US Constitution (this is an American site, ya know) specifically guarantees his right to express his mind. You're outta line, nicko--get with it!

by nicko on Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:08 pm

You Yanks do stick together don't you?

by Original Quill on Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:21 pm

nicko wrote:You Yanks do stick together don't you?

We got rules, and we follow them. That's the common thread.

by nicko on Wed Jan 31, 2018 4:16 pm

Who said "rules are made to be broken"?

by Original Quill on Wed Jan 31, 2018 4:23 pm

nicko wrote:Who said "rules are made to be broken"?

If you're going to break rules, fine. You'll deal with the consequences.

That provides no justification to blame someone because they follow the rules. Lurker's thread is proper, within bounds, and quite popular I might add.

by Syl on Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:01 pm

nicko wrote:You Yanks do stick together don't you?

Unless it's Maddog and Quill....I don't think they have agreed on anything yet. Razz

by Original Quill on Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:04 pm

Syl wrote:
nicko wrote:You Yanks do stick together don't you?

Unless it's Maddog and Quill....I don't think they have agreed on anything yet.

Ahh...but calling Maddog a Yank is an insult. And I was only born there. Laughing

by Syl on Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:10 pm

Is Yank an insult?...I didn't think Maddog was so precious.

by Cass on Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:32 pm

nicko wrote:You Yanks do stick together don't you?

I don’t quite see how my nationality has anything to do with it, although I do consider myself to be both a Yank and a Limey/Scot.

But if you think trying to insult me in some obscure way by calling me a yank makes you feel better, then fill your boots.

by Original Quill on Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:37 pm

Syl wrote:Is Yank an insult?...I didn't think Maddog was so precious.

Yank is short for yankee...a person from the region of New York, Massachusetts and far northeast generally. During the Civil War yanks were opposed to the Rebels, members of the Confederate States of America.

Anyone from the south is going to be offended being called Yank.

by eddie on Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:58 pm

nicko wrote:You only say that because he's a friend of your lover ! he's a "spammer" full stop and Ben lets him get away with it, as do you !

“My lover” - oh, how quaint! Bippety boppety boo.

Firstly, I have explained this Lurker thread business to you so many times and I know that you understand it so one must presume it’s because you are choosing to be fucking ignorant.

There are many threads on this forum which are dedicated to one topic - were you not a recent avid poster on a cat thread? I don’t even like cats but you didn’t see me moaning. There’s an ongoing spider thread on here, started by me three years ago, have you moaned about that?

Leave Lurker alone. I gave him my full backing publicy and privately. He’s doing nothing wrong. You want your own ongoing thread? Start one. Or shut the hell up.

by nicko on Wed Jan 31, 2018 6:02 pm

Fuck off !

by eddie on Wed Jan 31, 2018 6:18 pm

nicko wrote:Fuck off !

Is that it? Remind me not to bother again, then.

by Original Quill on Wed Jan 31, 2018 6:20 pm

nicko wrote:Fuck off !

Nicko!! Is that you're final answer? Rolling Eyes

by gelico on Wed Jan 31, 2018 8:11 pm

nicko wrote:You only say that because he's a friend of your lover ! he's a "spammer" full stop and Ben lets him get away with it, as do you !

nicko what's the problem?

if he was a spammer he would be posting memes on every thread here

he only ever posts trump memes on the trump thread - he rarely posts outside of that thread so if you dont like it you dont have to click on it

I honestly dont get what your issue is

by nicko on Wed Jan 31, 2018 8:22 pm

I made a couple of posts accusing Lurker of spamming, in my OPINION he is ! As I said he gets away with it by posting an occasional joke in between his cartoons of Trump. For speaking the truth i'm castigated by American Posters, and one Brit. It stands out a mile, and some don't like me calling attention to it.

by Cass on Wed Jan 31, 2018 8:40 pm

nicko wrote:I made a couple of posts accusing Lurker of spamming, in my OPINION he is ! As I said he gets away with it by posting an occasional joke in between his cartoons of Trump. For speaking the truth i'm castigated by American Posters, and one Brit. It stands out a mile, and some don't like me calling attention to it.

Well according to you we’re all liars so...

Edit: and brainwashed.

by eddie on Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:48 pm

nicko wrote:I made a couple of posts accusing Lurker of spamming, in my OPINION he is ! As I said he gets away with it by posting an occasional joke in between his cartoons of Trump. For speaking the truth i'm castigated by American Posters, and one Brit. It stands out a mile, and some don't like me calling attention to it.

Castigated. Hmmm. Is that what you call it when someone calls you out on your bullshit?

by Original Quill on Wed Jan 31, 2018 10:15 pm

nicko wrote:I made a couple of posts accusing Lurker of spamming, in my OPINION he is ! As I said he gets away with it by posting an occasional joke in between his cartoons of Trump. For speaking the truth i'm castigated by American Posters, and one Brit. It stands out a mile, and some don't like me calling attention to it.

All right, nicko. Now you know that Lurker is not a spammer. His posts don't fit the definition of spamming, and everyone agrees he is not spamming. He is following simple rules associated with announcing a thread topic, and posting said items in accordance with his announcement.

Just because you keep whining and using the word 'spam' does not make it so. Right now, sympathy (at your error) goes with you...pretty soon, it will just be pathetic. Evil or Very Mad

by eddie on Thu Feb 01, 2018 6:34 pm

Original Quill wrote:
nicko wrote:I made a couple of posts accusing Lurker of spamming, in my OPINION he is ! As I said he gets away with it by posting an occasional joke in between his cartoons of Trump. For speaking the truth i'm castigated by American Posters, and one Brit. It stands out a mile, and some don't like me calling attention to it.

All right, nicko. Now you know that Lurker is not a spammer. His posts don't fit the definition of spamming, and everyone agrees he is not spamming. He is following simple rules associated with announcing a thread topic, and posting said items in accordance with his announcement.

Just because you keep whining and using the word 'spam' does not make it so. Right now, sympathy (at your error) goes with you...pretty soon, it will just be pathetic.

I have explained it patiently several times on the Trump thread and once, not so patiently, here. I cannae do nay morrrrre I tell ye!

by Syl on Thu Feb 01, 2018 6:53 pm

eddie wrote:
Original Quill wrote:

All right, nicko. Now you know that Lurker is not a spammer. His posts don't fit the definition of spamming, and everyone agrees he is not spamming. He is following simple rules associated with announcing a thread topic, and posting said items in accordance with his announcement.

Just because you keep whining and using the word 'spam' does not make it so. Right now, sympathy (at your error) goes with you...pretty soon, it will just be pathetic.

I have explained it patiently several times on the Trump thread and once, not so patiently, here. I cannae do nay morrrrre I tell ye!

Eddie, why have you suddenly gone all William Wallace on us? Shocked

by Syl on Thu Feb 01, 2018 6:54 pm

Original Quill wrote:
Syl wrote:Is Yank an insult?...I didn't think Maddog was so precious.

Yank is short for yankee...a person from the region of New York, Massachusetts and far northeast generally. During the Civil War yanks were opposed to the Rebels, members of the Confederate States of America.

Anyone from the south is going to be offended being called Yank.

Thank you Quill.
Now would you like to check out the Melania thread...and apologise for calling me a liar ...twice.
Ta. x

by eddie on Thu Feb 01, 2018 7:05 pm

Syl wrote:
eddie wrote:
Original Quill wrote:

All right, nicko. Now you know that Lurker is not a spammer. His posts don't fit the definition of spamming, and everyone agrees he is not spamming. He is following simple rules associated with announcing a thread topic, and posting said items in accordance with his announcement.

Just because you keep whining and using the word 'spam' does not make it so. Right now, sympathy (at your error) goes with you...pretty soon, it will just be pathetic.

I have explained it patiently several times on the Trump thread and once, not so patiently, here. I cannae do nay morrrrre I tell ye!

Eddie, why have you suddenly gone all William Wallace on us?

Cos I got all angst and passionate!