Annoying telephone surveys and nuisance calls
02-September-2010
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Annoying telephone surveys and nuisance calls

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Don't you just love those annoying telephone surveys that interrupt the peace and serenity of your weekend without even the slightest hint of any reward, financial or otherwise?

It's Saturday morning, close to mid-day but not quite early enough for lunch and I've just answered the phone for the third time in the vain hope that it's someone I actually want to talk to.  But no, of course it's not, it's another telephone survey from an independent research company!

This guy even had the audacity to mention Mori (presumably as in Mori Polls) as if that would impress me enough to spare a few minutes, which would in actual fact end up being more like twenty minutes to half an hour as some of these questionnaires are so badly written I don't think the caller even understands them.

I have been called three times in a row today...

I declined to take part in the latest survey of course.  Occasionally when I have nothing better to do I've whiled away a few moments answering silly questions, but not today.  I am polite of course.  They are only doing their job but I do wonder why I have been called three times in a row today.  Feels like I am being picked on here!  Still, at least this person stayed on the line while I declined to take part.  The last time I took one of these calls the individual was very rude and just slammed the phone down on me.  Nice!

A telephone handset

They could get people to take part in telephone surveys more readily if they offered something in return.  A few quid off something with a voucher or even just a pound or two would be good.  Actually, even a lottery ticket would be an incentive to spend a little bit of my precious Saturday morning answering some pointless questions.  Things are tough now though and you don't get something for nothing.


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some people finish our surveys, even if its 20-25mins. long. cause they know their OPINIONS matter. while you people who have nothing better to do with your lives, keep nagging about money and crap!

"Things are tough now though and you don't get something for nothing".. useless pessimist! >:P
*youassholes!  01-Sep-2010 02:48

 
The two ploys I use to rid myself of these unwanted calls, firstly, if I have my iPod playing I put them on hold until they hang up, and secondly, ask them how much they are paying for my time and information!
*Cobwebs  14-May-2010 06:22

 
I like the last sentence..."Things are tough now though and you don't get something for nothing." That's right. If I receive one of these survey calls from someone unwilling to fork out some cash for my efforts, the phone will get hung up, since the survey takers aren't getting my time for free.
*JL  29-Mar-2010 23:24

 
There are several ways of annoying these people if you have the time and inclination, although I simply hang up usually.

- Answer 'yes' to everything they say.
- Ask them if they are selling something. They will always say 'no'. Then tell them that's a great ity because you've just won a million pounds on the lottery and are trying to find ways to spend the money.
- If they are promoting double glazing, for example, tell them you live in a house with no windows because you are allergic to light.
*MikeP  12-Mar-2010 09:45

 
I read on a Metropolitan Police website recently that after the second time it actually counts as harrasment and the Police should investigate it...perhaps this will be of assistance you to you too.

Also, regarding any calls asking "what energy company do you use" I normally piss them off by saying "I generate my own energy" or something to that effect.

Works really really well as they normally just hang up.

hehe
*Cheeky Monkey  12-Mar-2010 09:29

 
Where to register to stop annoying marketing calls: Telephone Preference Service http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/
*Sam  20-Nov-2009 11:40

 
I found this program ( http://www.phonetray.com/phonetrayfree.htm ) that is fantastic - uses your pc to screen calls you dont want and lets other through - best of all its free. I find it a nice touch to record a 'special message' just for telemarketers, which the pc sends to them on the first ring - I believe it also has a function to play a 'not in service' tone which apparently ensures your number is automatically wiped from their system (Havn't tried this so can't confirm it works)
*Darren  19-Nov-2009 23:49

 
I had a telemarketer phone me today, I told him that he had phoned me up in the middle of a wxxx, he carried on asking me questions, so I asked him if he used a rubbing book when he did it, or did he do it from memory, in the end he hung up.
*Newark.  11-Nov-2009 23:39

 
bla bla bla mike you need to get a life.stop crying over nothing,you ok little baby?youll be fine,you will get through this!hahah
*josh  28-Oct-2009 04:31

 
Just hang up when you realise it's another telemarketer! A not-so-novel idea but quite effective in allowing one to get back to their day!
*Surakka  27-Oct-2009 12:39

 
Just making money between jobs? NO!! they are breaking the law. They couldn't care less if you're on TPS, the penalties are useless. Just use a whistle - they share blacklists of numbers widely.
*Mike  22-Oct-2009 10:18

 
Keep a piercing whistle beside your phone. It is the most reliable way of getting your number off their lists!
*Mike  22-Oct-2009 10:11


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