Cold callers

[Jardiniere]

I've just had a cold caller trying to sell me bordeaux wines (we drink local usually) i thought it might be a cold caller when my phone warned me it was a witheld number...
so i said what i always say when i'm not really interested (although i like to plow on to improve my french)
i said
Je suis desole mais je parle francais un petit peu
I normally get a
Pardon Madame mais aurevoir - altho i occasionally get someone who then tries to talk to me in english -
but tonight i got
"Merde".
So i suggest that if you get cold callers put on your best accent and say
"I'm really sorry but i only speak a little english"
see what happens ............lol

[Jeanied]

Let's hope we don't get 'merde' as well! I dealt with one by pretending he was an old friend making a prank call - the more I said, 'I know it's you... I recognise your voice... now why are you pretending?' - the madder the caller got!

[Capsid]

I just hang up.

[Creemteez]

Break off suddenly in mid-sentence and do an impersonation of the cartoon "Taz" the Tasmanian Devil. Then put the phone down.

[ginger ninger]

I have a block on calls if they withhold there number, saves all the messing about, and I'm ex-directory.

[sarraceniac]

I usually pretend to be a double glazing company and try to sell them that.

[dogsbody]

Register with the telephone preference service (sorry Jardiniere don't know if they have the same in France).

Stops it in the first place, then if anyone sneaks through just mention it and goodbye!

Oh and it's free.

[piskieinboots]

"Merde".

Ha - zat is what zee Frennch will be zaying on 20 March

[HotStuff]

Ha - zat is what zee Frennch will be zaying on 20 March

Let's hope so Piskie. It's my birthday on the 21st and that would make a very nice early birthday present

[scarey55]

@ Piskie - Allez les bleus
@ Jardiniere. Are you with Orange? If so, have a look at stop secret. Works a treat because they have to say who they are and then you get the choice to either answer or not. I usually say HELLO with a definite British accent, that normally puts them off. I have to say, I've never had "merde" yet but I did get one chap who said I am very rude to assume that he was trying to sell me something although, he clearly was

[bubblewrap]

The second word is "off"

[binley100]

Well there's either " just hang on a sec I've got too answer the door" put the phone down and leave it or there's
When they ask you how you are today start having a rant about how your day has been
or there's Bubblewraps way

[Alison]

I wish people wouldn't be rude to cold callers, it's a rubbish job (I know the OP was very polite and was sworn at but most of the subsequent replies are advocating rudeness) and it's not exactly difficult to politely point out that you're not interested, thank them for the call and put the phone down. As originally stated, if possible, register with the preference thing and then you don't get many anyway.

[binley100]

We have a mailing list at work and if people ask to be taken off it then we do. When it is the same company 2 or more times a week it gets annoying they must have list they work from so why can't they delete your number when asked. They must have some sort of list that they can delete numbers off.

[scarey55]

Alison, I find that even if you are polite and tell them that your not interested, they don't take no for an answer. I may be many things but I am not rude and, as my brother is a double glazing salesman I understand the difficulties but I object to being called in my own home on a Sunday evening to be sold something that I don't want. I understand that these people have a job to do and I would never be rude but I do have a problem with companies who think that it's OK to bother you in your own home.