Cold callers

[bubblewrap]

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.

It's not the ones that phone up I'm "rude" to but the ones who come to my front door when I have notices in my window to say they are not wanted.

[binley100]

Ha that as well . We have original sash windows that have been renovated and draughtproofed at great expense and they assume we need plastic ones. I even had a chap peering thru and tapping the window to my daughter when she wouldn't answer the door and then cos I was in the garden trying to climb up and shout over the gate about his wonderful windows.

[Nicos]

Yikes!!!..I hate answering the phone here.
It's usually someone speaking French at 90mph!!!!

I always say I'm very sorry but I'm English and if they speak very slowly I should be able to understand what they say. If I still don't understand I ask them if it's really important because if it is,could they please send me some information in the post which I'll give to my hubby to read.
Yup- that usually does the trick!!
Sunday night though Jardiniere???...I'd have thought that was really unusual

[lottie dolly]

when i get the phone calls asking if they can speake to my name,i always ask who is calling please,just the odd times it has been a genuine call,if not put the phone down quick,especiaslly when its got an american accent,they are a particular nuisace,but the door,well,i had a young upstart in a suit the other week,would not have no for an answer,in the end i said in a very loud matronly voice,I HAVE ALREADY TOLLED YOU,AM NOT INTERESTED,and shut the door,woever i have come across my personal alarm,severl decibels of it,and i plan to take it to the in future,and anyone that does not hear the no thank you will have a blast of,they should run like mad.

[ammi]

I just put on a little girl voice and say Im sorry but mummys not in at the moment

[binley100]

You might get Social Services come calling................

[ammi]

That would be weird as I dont have any kiddies

[binley100]

I just put on a little girl voice and say Im sorry but mummys not in at the moment

..but they wouldn't know that

[piskieinboots]

we don't get door cold callers, the upside of having to remember to take your pass with you every time you leave the house

[Nicos]

I used to be Homewatch co-odinator.
We had signs to put up in the window to say 'we do NOT buy from the door'
Problem was the red dye of the word NOT faded in the sunlight!! Ha ha - very funny-

For those of you pestered by door knockers, it might be worth trying to get hold of a sign.

The police may have signs for your area- like this one in Rochdale

[Florence Fennel]

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.

I have just had a look at this, it sounded such a good idea (I get sick of the telephone calls at the most inconvenient times), but it says it costs £35.75, so no chance, or am I missing something?

[Jeanied]

I think you got hold of one of the 'alternatives' FF - the real one is free.
Let's see if this link works
TPS Registration

[binley100]

Brilliant - it works I've just registered.

[Flummery]

I'm with TPS - but I understand to have to re-register every year? Also it doesn't affect those calling from abroad.
I went back to TPS to see if I needed to re-register (one company that I challenged told me the registration was only short-lived - Pants on Fire!) I am still registered!

[chris]

TPS is only effective if the marketing agency/cold callers adhere to using TPS. If you do get a call whilst registered on there, you can log a complaint, that usually is passed up through tps to ofcom is repeat offences keep happening. It also costs them money - I used to work for a company that did cold calling (thankfully not on the phones). So glad I left - as the way I saw it was that I was aiding the nusiance by writing the system that they used to make the sales etc.

This old place used to get letters a lot of the time from TPS/ofcom about calling numbers on TPS lists.. usually came back on one of the dev's heads as the tps screening list obviously hadn't been done. Thankfully it wasn't my software :P