General Chat

We get quite a few calls even being registered, this is because at some stage we have contacted them or a subsidiary of theirs for something. OH often does a trawl for insurance comparisons etc. So it is legal for them to call. I am hard of hearing and without fail all these young people gabble on the phone, so I say 'sorry I can't hear you', initially because I don't know if it is actually somebody I want to talk to. If it is someone I know they realise and speak up. These people don't seem to understand the problem and continue to speak softly and fast, after the 3rd time of saying 'sorry?' I put the phone down.

I'd like to add to Shirley's comments about the Telephone Preference Service. It is free, takes about five minutes to complete on-line and any company who cold calls you when you are listed on the Telephone Preference Service is breaking the law.

I registered a couple of years ago and I rarely get a call now. If one does get through, I just stop them dead by advising them that my number is registered with TPS and they should therefore remove my details immediately and not call again or I will make an official complaint to the authorities.

You don't need to be rude, just firm, and it works without fail. It's also much easier to pull off as you feel empowered, knowing you have the law on your side. I'd recommend it to anyone who is bothered by cold callers.

Here's their website:

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

Ed