networking with the Monk

 

Today I received yet another call from the toll-free number that has been calling me on and off (sometimes multiple times in one day) for several months.

 

I had answered a call from that number during the first month's assault on my digits (after 4 or 5 unanswered attempts) and determined they were a 'third-party' calling on behalf (supposedly) of my carrier.  They asked if I was satisfied with my 'plan' and if it 'met my current and future needs'.  At the time I thought "how the hell could I know if it met my future needs?" but in any case I politely explained that "yes, everything was fine" and the phone call ended.

 

Fast-forward a month or so, during which the assault on my number (and sanity) continued.  So one morning I answered again.  This time I wasn't as 'sweet' (as sweet as I can be first thing in the morning!) as I explained that YES I was happy, and that NO I did not need repeated calls to verify that!  Call ends.

 

Here we are, today, after yet another month or so of repeated (sometimes multiple times daily) calls from that number.  I decide to answer.

 

Hello?

>> Hi is this so and so?

Yes, where are you calling from and why do I keep receiving these calls?

>> This is so and so, calling from third-party on behalf of your carrier sir!

Why are you and not my carrier calling?

>> We are calling on their behalf to see if your current plan meets your current and future needs sir!

I've already answered that question in a previous call from you.

>> Really? Well is that still the case?

If I wanted to change my plan I would call my carrier directly.

>>  We just want to know if you are happy sir!

Well I can tell you that the 100 or so calls I've had to ignore from you over the last several months are what is not making me happy

>> I thought you said you spoke with us before?

I did, twice out of all of those calls I was able to answer the phone and speak with you.  Nothing has changed since then why do I keep getting these calls?

>> We just want to make sure you're happy sir!

Well I can tell you this, as I am not under any contract with my carrier please inform them that if I get even ONE more call from your 'third-party on behalf of....'  I will be cancelling my services with them.

>> Because of a courtesy call sir?

What?

>> I said, because of a courtesy call sir?

You think this is a 'courtesy' to me?  Calling me well over 100 times over a period of several months is not a COURTESY CALL!!!

>> Well sir, If you would like to be removed from our list I can certainly do that.  Please be advised though it can take up to 14 days.

All I can tell you is if I receive even one more call from you I will be cancelling with my carrier, a call which I will make to them DIRECTLY and in which I will clearly let them know that your 'third-party on behalf of' is the reason for my cancellation.

>> Alright sir, is there anything else we can do for you?

<takes phone from ear and looks incredulously at the phone in his hand>

No.  Just make sure you don't call me again.

 

 

 

Of course I realize I could just 'block' their number from my phone etc. etc.  I just felt the very little bit of 'humour' I could muster at the words "COURTESY CALL" needed sharing!

 

Here's hoping everyone's day is humming along!

 


Comments
on Jul 29, 2014

Happens all the time, even if you're on the National Do Not Call Registry! I usually give them about 10 quick FU's and hang up! 

on Jul 29, 2014

Similar experience here, with more than one such operation.  Last one was a 'courtesy' call to see how my Windows experience was going.  "Fine, thanks.  Click"  Probably related to this.  All very annoying, especially since I pay for our number to be 'unpublished' - can't stop robodialers, however.

on Jul 29, 2014

 

I pay to be 'unpublished' and am also on the 'do-not-call' registry but I swear 'Amy' and 'Erica' didn't start offering me cruises and/or other fabulous holidays until I got 'listed' on that do-not-call registry!  Oh well....

 

The calls from this 'third-party-on-behalf-of-my carrier' seemed different than those calls from Erica or Amy since not only did they know my name and carrier they also knew which plan I had (incl. all options etc.) and when I 'tested' them they knew various other account details without any help from me.

on Jul 29, 2014

Good job Monk 

I would have however, contacted the provider letting them know the issue.

on Jul 29, 2014

myfist0

I would have however, contacted the provider letting them know the issue.

 

 

I plan to.

 

One thing I have noticed is that these calls from this 'third party on behalf of carrier' seemed to start soon after I 'opted-out' of certain 'allow-us-to-contact-you' options via the carrier's website account management.  Now I'm wondering when you 'opt-out' of allowing the carrier to contact you periodically DIRECTLY if what you're really doing is allowing them to turn around and sell your info to any number of these 'third-party-on-behalf-of-carrier' companies.  Might be a sneaky way for them to get around telemarketing rules/legislation?

on Jul 29, 2014

Monk...just block the number...then laugh like a demented fiend. 

With the time you save on those calls, think of how much you can get done on the "How to secure Your Computer" thing for WC.

on Jul 29, 2014

Blocking may or may not be an available option.  Long-distance calls are not blockable with Quest here, though it looks like any number is blockable with Cox digital.  Haven't resorted to that feature yet.

on Jul 29, 2014


I lodge complaints with my carrier that their 'third party' is harassing me with calls. I've been given discounts several times and the calls stop....for a time...but they always seem to pick up again, despite be not being on there caller's list.

 

on Jul 29, 2014

I give callers about 2 seconds to start talking....if they haven't...or if I hear that background 'call center' sound [very easy to spot]...I simply hang up before they open their gobs.

on Aug 05, 2014

Bottom line: the use of language has degenerated.  Anyone in sales, (and many other 'professions' feel it is quite acceptable to cable something it is not in an attempt to get under a prospect's radar.  When done impersonally, from a phone boiler room type place, it gets worse.  You can't get at the person calling.  They are a poorly paid drone following a script.  Sad.  Sad for us, sad for the drones calling using a script. 

I gave up trying to get the callers to stop.  They won't.  Just save the number on your phone with a note:  'slime caller.'  When I ( see it I ignore the call).   FYI, I'm up to 'slime caller #6') LOL.

on Aug 05, 2014

I feel like it would be better to just troll such people...

on Aug 10, 2014

Volt_Cruelerz

I feel like it would be better to just troll such people...

 

Back in the day, I tried an interesting approach.  I demanded upfront payment for my time on the phone with them.  When, not if, they refused, I hung up.  Now I don't bother.