Beware ... another marketing scam.

[1st solution locksmiths]

I to hear of these people all the time it really get's on your Ti*s.

The last one called a couple of days ago after the usual grap i asked him their business address that stumped him!! he said Quote ,, 118 Complex court birmingham BB1 123, I said what part of b/ham is that He Said middle I said Birmingham Didn't have a post code like that so he said

Cheers Mate and hung Up

Read them like a book know, I Mean wallplanners in april 05 a (yes mate
sort me out 100 )

[79commando]

I had a good one from a Company on behalf of Sun newspaper group who said they are compiling a list of reputable tradesmen in response to the watchdog program. For a small fee I could be inserted on the datbase; which would then be made available to potential customers to confirm how reputable I am. When I pointed out that I am well dodgy and would steal the sugar out of their tea they hung up (Strange).

It's hard to soar like an Eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys.

[1st solution locksmiths]

That's one of the best replies iv'e heard for a long time 79

[pinky]

but hes telling the truth

[NKT]

I think the best give away is when someone says they are "calling on behalf of" or some other subtle variation.

At that point you know it is a scam, and can get rid of them quite quickly.

I only deal with people who work for the company they are selling for, as it makes things easier when you have to sue them for lying in a sales call, or whatever! Then the standard "they shouldn't have said that, but they don't work for us, so it is still binding" won't even come up, let alone be spun at you.

All these mobile phone upgraders and BT resellers are winding me up at the mo. Get at least one a day.

[toomush2drink]

Ive registered my business line on the telephone preference service now to stop these sales calls wasting my time and running up my bill ( i divert my calls to my mobile). A few still come through but most when i tell them i have registered, apologise and say they will update their records.

Try it its free http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

[captainsawdust]

I got a call last week from a company called McAllister Stone claiming to be publishing a magazine called 'Civvies' for off duty police and services staff.

They are targeting locksmiths right now to advertise for a security special. Of course, it does not exist and they will take any interest on the phone as confirmation of order (even, i'll think about it counts). Apparantly, they are being investigated by trading standards in Liverpool and have previously been in court using 'doctored' recordings of the call with you.

Without showing any interest, I got an ad proof through the post (what a piece of crap - not a single detail correct) and confirmation of my order. Fine print says you have 7 days to cancel. I plan to do more than that but i have seen on the internet that those not cancelling within 7 days get some pretty nasty abuse from these guys ....

Put the phone down if you hear from them.

They are targeting my area now and it has been in the local evening paper as the police know nothing about it either

[capt.dunc]

evo, i hope you've phoned your police crime prevention officer back, he might be interested that someone is claiming to be him.

[jongir]

I just tell them that I'll be out of business in a month or so and if they want to advertise for me, then carry on, but they wont get paid as I'll be bankrupt. And then thank them for the free advertising. For some reason they hang up quite quickly after that.

[jessicaevaluna]

I have been tricked by McAllister Stone, anyone knows what to do to stop them from harrassing me?

[toomush2drink]

Simple tell them where to go or you will make a formal complaint to the police for harrassment. Also when they say you took out a verbal contract with them ask for a copy of the tape, under the data protection laws your entitled to a copy or they are breaking the law.

[jessicaevaluna]

I have now sent the last letter back with "return to sender, moved away" hoping they will stop. This company has been investigated by several TSO and the BBC watchdog. I hope they will make them shut!!