Bombarded by telesales.

[captain-spaulding]

Just set up my handyman biz, and in the space of 48-hrs, have been called 20 times by countless SEO, ad managers, etc, trying to sell me their useless services.

Even had a guy claim to work with the local fire/police/ambulance services who printed some community magazine. I looked up the web address, and no such company exists.He did seem iffy when I pressed him for other answers, so he raised a few flags.

So, any other cons I should watch out for?

Thanks.

 

[NickGrogan]

Some of the more expensive energy companies like to target new businesses, telling you that you're on the "database" and dont have a supplier yet, and they can do you a great deal at about 20p per unit.

Thomson local sell a lot of startup data...

 

[KM-Tiger]

a guy claim to work with the local fire/police/ambulance services who printed some community magazine.

That's one of the well known scams that targets new businesses. Be very careful what you say to them. They will almost certainly call again and try it on.

You might do well to register your phone number with TPS.

 

[estwig]

The golf club magazine is another scam, very shiny, good marketing, all looks great to advertise to your local club in their own magazine.

No magazine will ever be printed, it's a con, keep away.

The Police/ambulance/fire brigade calendar is another con popular this time of year. It will never be printed.

Don't even think about using Yell!

 

[UKSBD]

True story.

I had one the other day from a Mr. Shepherd selling local services stuff.

As soon as he said it, I laughed and said that's a great name.

What makes you say that? he said.

Great for when your fleecing people - I replied

That's a bit harsh were the last words I heard before putting the phone down

 

[ThePublisher]

As a handyman business, community magazines could be a very good source of business for you, but you did well to spot the police/fire/ambulance one is a scam. You could also get calls about drug awareness booklets going into schools, wallcharts, diaries, football programmes etc etc

Research local magazines in your area and don't consider doing anything until you've seen a hard copy and can confirm it is legitimate. Watch our from anybody calling from a mobile number, and anybody appearing to operate out of Manchester/Liverpool/Ormskirk/Poulton le Fylde where there seem to be a lot of these businesses operating.

 

[myfairworld]

Say not to everybody and when you actually want something do your own research first.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Thomson local sell a lot of startup data...

Yes, it's via their Marketlocation: New Connections service. Companies pay a subscription to get the contact details of new businesses or those that have a new owner in the areas of their choice. If I remember correctly, to advertise in Thomson Local you have to agree to your details being added to the database.

Mind you, we received the 2016 Thomson Local directory yesterday and it's smaller and thinner than ever - it's almost a pocket book now, so there can't be that many businesses advertising.

And as has also been said above, the utility companies will be on to you to try and get you to use their supply. Just tell them you're in "serviced offices" and it's all done by your landlord, that will get you taken off the lists. (Some are cheeky enough to ask for the landlord's details. Tell them the landlord is not based in the UK.)

 

[The Byre]

Beware people who come to your door with a camera and a clipboard, asking you to pull your pants down and show them your bum. They just want to see your bum.

(I wish I'd known that yesterday. I feel so ashamed!)

 

[Turnkey Businesses]

Say not to everybody and when you actually want something do your own research first.

+1

Just get used to saying "i'm not interested, thanks anyway", you'll get these calls and emails non-stop. the best thing to do is not even waste your time thinking about who is legit and who is a scam, just say no to them all and when you actually need something use your own research or visit a forum like this and ask for recommendations.

 

[Bill1954]

Watch out for Webwindows too, once they get your email address they will mail you constantly about their offers for magazines. Not so much a scam as a PITA

 

[Emma Fryer]

We screen all these calls for our clients and the gems we have heard over the years and abuse we have taken is limitless!

 

[obscure]

The other trick is companies from China contacting you to "warn" you that some other company is investigating buying a domain just like yours but with a different suffix. They are just trying to scare you into buying unnecessary domain names you will never use.

 

[amphis software]

also watch out for companies offering to renew your web domain. these are often not the company you originally paid for the web domain but they get your public details and offer to renew your domain for you often at a higher price than the company you originally paid.

 

[Connexions]

also watch out for companies offering to renew your web domain. these are often not the company you originally paid for the web domain but they get your public details and offer to renew your domain for you often at a higher price than the company you originally paid.

It was an email actually titled Domain Name Search Engine Registration, we have got loads of them over the years and no doubt alot of people think they will loose their domain name and pay it.

 

[japancool]

also watch out for companies offering to renew your web domain. these are often not the company you originally paid for the web domain but they get your public details and offer to renew your domain for you often at a higher price than the company you originally paid.

Hah, had that one.

Webwindows keep sending me offers for advertising in the Daily Mail. I'd rather disembowel myself with a rusty sporknife.

 

[myfairworld]

I'd rather disembowel myself with a rusty sporknife.

Splutter, splutter, nearly choked on my Earl Grey. I recently sat staring into space in a cafe (no internet connection) rather than read the Daily Mail which was the only paper on offer.

 

[primrose]

As you are a new business it is inevitable to receive these kinds of call. Just be polite, say no thank you and hang up. Advertise where you want to with local magazines or publications. As your business builds most work of your kind will be from referrals. Do a good job and clients will recommend you.

 

[Ashley_Price]

As you are a new business it is inevitable to receive these kinds of call.

Doesn't just happen to new businesses either. Often if you change addresses, your name gets sent out again, but often marked as a "new" business.

I had this a year and a half ago when I moved offices. It confused the hell out of a lot of telesales, etc., when they would say "... as you're a new business..." and I would respond that we had actually being going since 1996.

 

[BristolBiz]

Golden rule - never, ever buy from a cold call.

If it sounds like a good idea, do your own research, without a doubt you'll get a better deal elsewhere.

I just wish I'd listened to my own advice more often

 

[UKSBD]

What people also need to be aware of is that whatever anyone tells you doesn't mean a thing.

Virtually all these businesses have something in their terms that say something along the lines of;

"Whatever you are told by our sales team means f*** all as these terms override anything you are told."

Ok, it may not quite be worded like that, but that is effectively what they are saying.

 

[stevebrownlie]

What people also need to be aware of is that whatever anyone tells you doesn't mean a thing.

Virtually all these businesses have something in their terms that say something along the lines of;

"Whatever you are told by our sales team means f*** all as these terms override anything you are told."

Ok, it may not quite be worded like that, but that is effectively what they are saying.

There was a thread about some very large companies even sticking it to people like that so you have to be careful of that scam even if YOU approach them let alone if THEY ring you out of the blue with some too good to be true promises.

 

[Benjie_P]

Agree with @myfairworld . If you need something search for it and contact them yourself.

 

[yourbusinessenergy]

Also beware of "Scoot" as their sales agent rang me claiming to get you on the first page of the Sun's directory. Promising do follow links.Stay away from SCOOT everyone.

 

[Jim Barker]

You might find this useful - http://www.truecall38.co.uk/

 

[lawrence147]

I have been both sides of this fence.

Years ago I worked for a 'Publicity' company that sold adverts around fold down maps. We charged something like £90 for the smallest ad - 2" x "2. After we sent final proofs to the printers, we'd got the 5 - 10,000 copies, deliver them to the client (usually the Police or Local Council) where they would spend the next 10 years in their boxes in the basement of the client's building. Every Friday, the 'morally redundant' top salesmen would go to the golf course for 18 and a drink after. Overall, total scam.

Now I run the Handyman business. I've been bitten by Yell but luckily had a company set up so no liability. I have used Gumtree in the past - you get lots of wasters, tyre kickers and people with no money, but I found some good commercial work before getting repeat work from my rep.

I tend to stay away from all advertising now and to help cover the scams, I use TrueCaller on the phone.

Hope this helps