Another Cold Caller Defeated

[captaincloser]

these days schools have no money many are in deficit and will bite your hand off for every penny

Now you are talking..even the minions are excited...

 

[patientlady]

Another cold caller falls at the first hurdle, not spoken to one yet to get past the 15 second call duration.

After their introduction simply ask "Is this a sales call?"

Every caller pauses; some say yes, others say yes in a roundabout way but on positive confirmation I politely say no thanks and end the call.

Not a single salesman has dealt with the question in a way to encourage me to keep listening

Ha ha quikshop I reckon all those sales people are pretty bright. They decided pretty darn quick that they were wasting there precious time with you and moved on

 

[eventdomain]

This is for the OP,

My firm offer a free sample of our work prior to you making any commitments to buy, so if when you ask is this a sales call I say no, I want to offer you a free trial of our service.

would that get me past your barrier?

The barrier will only be there if your call is either:

1. Totally untargeted to their needs

2. They've already got it/dont want to change supplier

Trouble is, many sales people are just badly trained, and their given a database of companies they know nothing about, to work from and their expected to make great sales from it.

I guarantee 99% of all sales calls dont know anything about who their about to talk to

How can they expect to make a sale from a pure chance call, I know their on commission, but come on, at least target what your selling

 

[Montaigne]

I guarantee 99% of all sales calls dont know anything about who their about to talk to

It depends on what you're selling. I don't need to know anything about the firms I call as I know that all firms need the service I am selling.

 

[captaincloser]

I guarantee 99% of all sales calls dont know anything about who their about to talk to

How can they expect to make a sale from a pure chance call, I know their on commission, but come on, at least target what your selling

Garbage, and I claim the guarantee...what is the guarantee you offer as I assure you that more than 1% of sales callers know their business and who they are calling.The whole world spins on sales-most sales in business to business are made over the phone and a high % from an initial cold call.

When can we expect a rest from the armchair sales experts of UKBF ?

If you had the income of a few I know on here you would soon sing a very different tune.

Business is business and you don't have teacher to run to any more.

 

[kate1]

I find is so strange, its like being in "denial" Business as you say CC spins on sales, its the axel of how things work. Telesales, direct sales, cold calling, sales reps, whatever form sales is what turns the cog.

 

[eventdomain]

as I assure you that more than 1% of sales callers know their business and who they are calling

Crap - and reason I know this is I have to deal with the callers, and having asked them direct questions about my business, they always never have a clue.

These bozos are working from a PC screen, mostly with limited/inaccurate data, which also leads me onto why my biz details are mispelt, or insufficient enough for them to ask further questions about whether they are calling the right company. Let me clue you in on the sales calls I get:


Caller: Is that Eventsdomain?

Me: Yes/No (depends on criteria), what can we do for you/What's the nature of your call etc.

Caller: Oh yes, hello, well I work for a company called etc, and we sell ink cartridges, tell me, do you use many, how many would you say you get through per month?

Me: A single cartridge lasts me 1 to 2 months

Caller Really, are you sure?

Me Er, yup, I do use the things you know :|

Caller: Bcos in our experience etc etc

Me Actually I used to work in office supplies sector so I know a fair bit about these things, plus am an ex PC salesman.

Caller: oh, er, well our ink cartridges cost £15.75 each and are cheaper than most.

Me: No their not, as I know what I pay for them - they are cheaper these days for the past several years - just check Canon's sales page on Amazon for proof.

Caller: Well, anyway - our cartridges last longer so worth the extra, so if you took say about 3 a month from us, how would that be?

Me: Seeing as I get them cheaper than your selling them, I'm not interested

Caller: But you must use several a month surely?

Me: Nope, what makes you think that?

Caller: You run a website, so all businesses need a printer

Me: Yes, I do - but I bet you dont know what my company does?

Caller: Yes, its a Computer cafe isnt it, under Internet Services!!

Me: Nope, no way. Far from it actually, so you havent even determined my correct needs, and you obviously got my details from the YP, as it only shows my company name and category its under, so this is how I know.

-------------------

This is just one of the many irritting cold calls that used to come my way - I now block the buggers! So looks like your qualifying cobblers doesnt apply, as how can you qualify/guarantee a salesman's knowledge when they cant do basic research on who their selling to

So these cold callers pick up the phone, dialled without knowing anything about the business period.... Its basic errors, but it happens all the time - this is about doing the job correctly, so at least get the damn company name right before you start the sale patter

Jeeze..

 

[captaincloser]

All you are proving here is that YOU need some simple instruction on how to answer the telephone to strangers.

You are headed for a very early grave if you get this wound up over a cold caller. Seriously, lighten up ,

Great story you have written, do you have any others ?

 

[Remote Resources]

When I get cold calls at home I say to the caller: "I'm a bit busy at the moment, give me your home number and I'll ring you later." The penny tends to drop and it usually gets rid of them.

And of course you can just put the phone down.

Putting the phone down doesn't work - it just gets you stuck in the never ending cycle of cold call hell - also known as the automatic redialler.

You will know if this has happened as they call at the samed time every day as the system asks them "Redial in 24 hours"

 

[Psl]

Another cold caller falls at the first hurdle, not spoken to one yet to get past the 15 second call duration.

After their introduction simply ask "Is this a sales call?"

Every caller pauses; some say yes, others say yes in a roundabout way but on positive confirmation I politely say no thanks and end the call.

Not a single salesman has dealt with the question in a way to encourage me to keep listening

You possibly could have missed out a great deal by saying no to something you don't even know anything about

 

[eventdomain]

All you are proving here is that YOU need some simple instruction on how to answer the telephone to strangers.

You are headed for a very early grave if you get this wound up over a cold caller. Seriously, lighten up ,

Great story you have written, do you have any others ?

I used to get about 4 cold callers a day (120 a month), and while I'm dealing with them, am wasting time not serving my paying clients.Cold callers (salespeople) dont make me money, my clients expect me to serve them - cant do that when fighting off sales people.

Now I do have time for the good ones, but even so, I consider them mostly hassle, and while I chat to them, my phone line is busy while potential enquiries cannot get through as the line is engaged.

It just irritates me. For me, the only way out was to purchase a call-blocker. Now I can hear all calls, without the hassle of sales tactics tricking me into whatever. I simply decide who to speak to right away or they get the message:

I'm sorry, we arent interested in your call - please hang up and dont call us again

Cold callers know they arent wanted, and will give up.

-------------

have I got some horror telesales stories.... some real shockers I tell you.

 

[kate1]

Amazing this thread I cant answer a cold call Its beyhond belief get a sodding grip - bloody hell

 

[captaincloser]

Some people will get all these calls for a reason.

One of the reasons is that they are a one man band but have managed to build a website that gives the impression they are the parent company of Microsoft or Coca-Cola. Then you get a lot of calls. And yes, the people calling are probably stupid but then we are all stupid to certain other sections of society.

My advice is a big red banner across your website saying LEAVE ME ALONE I AM A ONE MAN BAND (who has built a Coca Cola size website )

 

[kate1]

OP who have you defeated?

 

[kate1]

If you cant answer cold calls dont set up shop - its pathetic - closed off ey?

 

[kate1]

Jeez that would be the least of my problems answering cold calls - got far more important things to deal with - I defeated a cold caller. Wish that was all I had to deal with....

 

[raineshoe]

Have to say I don't like cold callers and I wouldn't use this method for gaining customers. However, I can see that for some companies it is very necessary.

I always try to be polite to anyone cold calling and say "no thank you", but when they won't take no for an answer its frustrating to say the least. I then land up being rude just to get shot and hanging up.

It seems this year if you hang up on them they ring straight back too. Why can't they accept your decision.

Also, I intensely dislike the ones that phone and speak to you like your their long lost buddy or say in the first sentence "I'm not selling anything". Pull the other one, of course you are, nobody rings up for a free chat at their companys expense.

Off the soap box now.

 

[eventdomain]

Some people will get all these calls for a reason.

EVERYONE gets them, regardless of company status. Its just sales people forced to badger by orders from their management.

But if anyone owns a holding company and other properties that give the impression of the size of say Microsoft, then such a company has got more resources than most I'd say. Its not uncommon for many main websites to own 2 or 4 or 8 extra web properties of various descriptions, sizes and abilities - and appearances can often be very real indeed.

And yes, the people calling are probably stupid but then we are all stupid to certain other sections of society.

Look, noone says you cant setup a telesales service - but you must expect to get slated due to the amount of calls you make. Being a numbers game, you'll peeve off more people than impress them - despite however 'professional' you claim to be.

My previous career in Recruitment, Retail, Call Centres mean I might know something about sales - and however good you are, rejection is only a phone call away you cannot avoid it as some just dislike being hassled ok, sales will always have that bad reputation, and that rep is too established a mind-set to overcome.

 

[kate1]

If you cant deal with cold calling you shouldnt be in business - simples

 

[Atilla]

You possibly could have missed out a great deal by saying no to something you don't even know anything about

And quite possibly saved time, patience and money by not taking the call.

How often do you buy products/services from a stranger on the phone?

Care to post up your phone number?

 

[Nuno]

If you cant deal with cold calling you shouldnt be in business - simples

Business people can deal with cold calling by:

• Listening and making a judgement
• Making a judgement and not listening
• Being verbally rude
• Ringing off

Personally I try not to be rude, but very rarely find any intro good enough to continue with. However if faced with a crass ' if you don't listen to me you ain't a businessman - simples' type attitude I tell them to Foxtrot Oscar.

 

[captaincloser]

And quite possibly saved time, patience and money by not taking the call.

How often do you buy products/services from a stranger on the phone?

Care to post up your phone number?

More to the point who, honestly, hasn't ...unless they have a very selective memory.

 

[kate1]

In 21 years I have never come across anybody ever never that has been rude to me. I seriously dont get this at all "cold callers" its absolutely alien to me. Totally and utterly Alien Ive never been spoken to rudely in 21 years, I just dont get it to be honest. Quite lost for words to be honest

 

[Atilla]

More to the point who, honestly, hasn't ...unless they have a very selective memory.

Each to their own.
Just because some don't like taking unsolicited sales calls doesn't mean they're wrong. How people run their business is up to them. Doesn't mean you lot in telesales have to be given a symathetic ear.

 

[kate1]

I dont have to have a sympathetic ear Atilla because in 21 years not once have I been rude to.....

 

[Atilla]

I dont have to have a sympathetic ear Atilla because in 21 years not once have I been rude to.....

Maybe not.

Personally, i can't be doing with the unsolicited calls, specifically those not related to our industry. I've not seen anything from you afficionado's of it that would weaken my resolve.

Others may be happy to take them but it doesn't mean we all have to.

 

[kate1]

Are you on the tps list Atilla?

 

[captaincloser]

Each to their own.
Just because some don't like taking unsolicited sales calls doesn't mean they're wrong. How people run their business is up to them. Doesn't mean you lot in telesales have to be given a symathetic ear.

Lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar not praise him.

How is your mate then ? You know the banned one ? I bet he's got the hump too ?

You guys are so monotonous as I am sure you feel I am. Sales makes the world go round. I am a salesman but if you makes you happy to call me telesales then thats fine. Most people on here would love what I bring in each month for their business too.

Eat your heart out...as the saying goes.

 

[Atilla]

As it happens, yes.

 

[Atilla]

Lend me your ears. I come to bury Ceasar not praise him. How is your mate then ? You know the banned one ? I bet he's got the hump too ?

Seems your the one with the hump.

 

[captaincloser]

Seems your the one with the hump.

edited my post after your reply..sorry !

No camels get the hump. I ain't no Camel, just remember your previous posts...

 

[eventdomain]

If you cant deal with cold calling you shouldnt be in business - simples

Fortunately, call blockers are so good that you can monitor the calls, get rid of the telemarketers and deal with your customers.

It saves time, sorry if that interferes with your right to earn a living, but its life and nothing personal!

 

[kate1]

I run a successful business so I think Im ok... oops based on telemarketing, shame on me

 

[eventdomain]

oops based on telemarketing

Fortunately I dont hassle my clients with phonecalls, I wouldnt do that to them.

And I can get 300 new clients a year if I wanted, no sweat..

 

[captaincloser]

Fortunately I dont hassle my clients with phonecalls, I wouldnt do that to them.

And I can get 300 new clients a year if I wanted, no sweat..

ERRRRRRRR.....yes .I have seen your website if it is the same as your name .No surprise you get all the calls if you are one person..You kind of ASK for it. You are the management company of Coca Cola as I suggested.

I love the people who come on here and say stuff like this . It's like the people in the pub 'oh me, I could give up tomorrow'.."oh me? I could get 300 women a year no sweat, blah blah blah...
Save us from these people....I love my clients...I love them all ..they are everything to me... I would never sell them anything...our children go to the nursery together and we picnic in the summer....ad infinitum.

 

[Bruvver]

Did you all save so much time declining cold calls.....................just so you could spend so much time on this thread ?

 

[captaincloser]

Thats the rub, or at least its the punch-line. These guys are so busy..I mean not just normal busy but high octane busy and their days are ruined by cold callers.They all get hundreds, every call is stupid, every caller is deficient in several mental capacities...and nobody seems to realise how important these one man band captains of industry really are. Nobody knows who they are and thats a big sin because between the follicles standing on their own head they are mega-important people running zillion dollar enterprises..

The warning though is that if you cannot deal with some calls expediently and end up venting your spleen on here there is every chance you will be laughed at and an even bigger chance of a heart attack before you are 35.

Lighten up and in particular take a look in the mirror...none of you are Bill Gates and nor am I. But I tell you something for nothing....millions of pounds change hands every hour of every day on the telephone between two people who have never met. A fact of life-get used to it or go work in a field.

 

If you cant deal with cold calling you shouldnt be in business - simples

? Really Kate1! I'm not in business to deal with cold callers and neither are the others who are responding in the negative, I'm in business to help clients - for which I do not have any need or desire to listen to cold calling, and the rest of my 24 hours are spent making jewellery, sorting out customers orders for my sites and if I'm lucky there will be some eating and sleeping involved in their too

Like I think a number of us have said it would be one thing if the calls were relevant, but they're not, they are unrelated, untargeted, ill thought out approaches as part of a numbers game from some crap datebase somewhere that they've bought and many of them do not know how to deal with anything outside of their script or in many cases how to be anything but rude - in the case of the many double glazing and debt/missold ppi and other such nonsense calls that also happen during the week. It doesn't even seem to be the case that they learn and amend their database to reflect the answers of 'No I have no need for double glazing, the house has brand new glazing thanks', 'no I have no debt, never been missold ppi and have never been in an accident that means I want to become one of your many ambulance chasers'.

I dont think that not wanting something and being polite about it is unreasonable, and it should be that any request to be opted out of their call list is respected, in the way that my customers can opt in or out of my marketing emails at any time, its their choice, but at least they opted in in the first place, I didn't force them into the situation of being unwilling recipients.

 

[kate1]

Im afraid I just dont come across any of these problems, nobody puts the phone down on me. I dont call TPS numbers - suppose its all dependent on what you are selling.

 

Im afraid I just dont come across any of these problems, nobody puts the phone down on me. I dont call TPS numbers - suppose its all dependent on what you are selling.

You are probably as you say not calling TPS numbers. I'm also a TPS number, so its probably why it irritates me to have to ask them why they are calling a theoretically protected number - though it seems to be commonly ignored unfortunately. More likely though you are also calling more targeted customers.

That is mine, and it would seem eventdomains issue, is that the calls just simply aren't researched or appropriate to me and the minority that are vaguely related are for things I would never dream of buying over the phone without going away and doing some research first.

I'm not aware of anything I've ever purchased as a result of a cold call, but if it has happened, then it wouldn't be on that first call, it would have been me either saying 'I'll get back to you if I'm interested' or it would have been me going back to that company sometime later having done some investigating.

There is such an enormous amount of fraud out there these days, someone I have not chosen to approach could literally be anybody unfortunately, so it should always be a buyer beware approach to unsolicited calls. I think thats a sensible approach to take.

I dont doubt that there are industries for whom the market and the product and the level of competition is such that they absolutely have to carry out or employ telemarketing and that its the only way to deliver great results. Or equally that a good salesperson can earn good money from their job and commission, but I think there does need to be an appreciation that not everyone in the industry is whiter than white and is customer focused and friendly and unfortunately a lot of us experience those high percentage of drones paid to irritate us greatly.