Do you get solicitation phone calls?

[Shorts]

I just got a call from a card service asking if my business was considering accepting credit cards.

I said I was, but I had not completed my research to feel comfortable making a decision today. I also asked her if she was soliciting my business. She said yes. I asked her company name again and said I would keep it as an option as I do my research.

While I am going to use a credit card service, I don't appreciate receiving solicitors calls because my phone number is listed on some official paperwork.

Are these types of calls going to be a regular occurrence that I will need to deal with?

How do you handle them? I don't want to be rude (although I feel like it) because I hate solicitors. I just got ding-dong-ringed two more times. This is going to get really old.

As for another separate work number, that will be happening very soon. I'm going to take an extra cell phone on our account and use that as the work line to keep things separate. Any advice or unforeseen pitfalls going about that?

[Regis]

It is a dilemma if you want both on the "Do Not Call" list and want customers to call. You need to get that business line up & running. Then retrace your registrations and change the number. You'll probably still get some calls. And yes, card services and others have many many sales folk that will be calling you. I get them on a business that I closed 3 years ago but, stll have the number.

Regis

I just got a call from a card service asking if my business was considering accepting credit cards.

I said I was, but I had not completed my research to feel comfortable making a decision today. I also asked her if she was soliciting my business. She said yes. I asked her company name again and said I would keep it as an option as I do my research.

While I am going to use a credit card service, I don't appreciate receiving solicitors calls because my phone number is listed on some official paperwork.

Are these types of calls going to be a regular occurrence that I will need to deal with?

How do you handle them? I don't want to be rude (although I feel like it) because I hate solicitors. I just got ding-dong-ringed two more times. This is going to get really old.

As for another separate work number, that will be happening very soon. I'm going to take an extra cell phone on our account and use that as the work line to keep things separate. Any advice or unforeseen pitfalls going about that?

[MADMAX22]

The first thing I recieved when I put in my business application (wasnt even finalized yet) were junk mail for cards, scanners, registers, shipping supplies,..... everything you could think of. Luckily it was a instant barrage and slacked off but it was still annoying.

[mulefool]

Every time someone calls you like that, ask to be removed from their calling list. they are supposed to honor that, although sometimes they don't. but, every little bit helps. Chris

[TwinOaks]

Other than the "do not call" regstry, there's really not much to do...other than tell the person "don't call". Look up the d.n.c.r. and the penalties involved, do the same for 'communications harassment'.

I had repeated calls from the "You're car warranty is about to expire....". After several times of telling them to remove me from their call list, I got hold of a person, asked them to turn on the recorder and threatened legal action under communications harassment statutes.

Nary a peep since.

If they still won't leave you alone, pick up an inexpensive recorder and phone attachment, record the call and send it to the D.A.

Legitimate companies want your business. Scams want your money.

Since they've already got the one number, I suggest getting a second number as a private line, and placing in the DNCR, instead of trying to convert one to the other.

Good luck

[Shorts]

I got a little fed up after 5 more calls from the same company. One guy listened to me get firm and then hung up on me. While that bothered me he hung up, that was the last time that company called today. Several other solicitors letg me know I can get a free computer.

This number is/was on the DNCR prior to this. I suppose the recent paperwork somehow threw it back into the free for all system.

What does rub me is that we just got these phones in February after not having cell phones for 3 years (out of the country). So everyone just got them lol

[Dom]

You can tell that your policy is that you'll only consider a written proposition, you won't discuss it on the phone - end of the conversation.

Make it short, be kind and polite, just make the other part fine with it, but remember the policy.

A friend of mine told me his method : " in NO, which part do you not understand ? " - funny, but I thinks it's too rude.

Personnaly I often orient the conversation about my products with a lot of enthousiasm - maybe I could sell something to the person who calls (then I don't make it short). Afterall, this phone line is here for your customers, then use it in this way.

[Shorts]

You can tell that your policy is that you'll only consider a written proposition, you won't discuss it on the phone - end of the conversation.

Make it short, be kind and polite, just make the other part fine with it, but remember the policy.

A friend of mine told me his method : " in NO, which part do you not understand ? " - funny, but I thinks it's too rude.

Personnaly I often orient the conversation about my products with a lot of enthousiasm - maybe I could sell something to the person who calls (then I don't make it short). Afterall, this phone line is here for your customers, then use it in this way.

A written proposition sounds like a good way to go about it.

I'm automatically turned off by being approached by a vulture...err, sales person of nearly any kind (cars, snake oils, etc). Anyone that calls me has already failed. I don't prefer to do business with a company that uses blatant practices that I despise. I feel these tactics undermine my readiness and timing. I suppose I do take it personally that someone is essentially forcing the discussion and interaction on a particular subject that I'm not to that point yet. When I am ready to complete a transaction I will seek it out. And I don't want to hear about it until I bring it up.

Wow, I'm controlling about my money!

I think I will turn the tables. I'll go into a sales pitch for my items when I get these calls. hehehehe

Edited June 9, 2009 by Shorts

[Shorts]

Other than the "do not call" regstry, there's really not much to do...other than tell the person "don't call". Look up the d.n.c.r. and the penalties involved, do the same for 'communications harassment'.

I had repeated calls from the "You're car warranty is about to expire....". After several times of telling them to remove me from their call list, I got hold of a person, asked them to turn on the recorder and threatened legal action under communications harassment statutes.

Nary a peep since.

If they still won't leave you alone, pick up an inexpensive recorder and phone attachment, record the call and send it to the D.A.

Legitimate companies want your business. Scams want your money.

Since they've already got the one number, I suggest getting a second number as a private line, and placing in the DNCR, instead of trying to convert one to the other.

Good luck

After 4 calls in the last 10min from the same guy, I specifically came back to this thread to get the right wording

I did try to sell him some custom leather goods on his first call after I told him I wanted any proposals in writing. He paused to let me talk, didn't answer any questions or say he needed anything specific, then continued his spiel. When he started talking I began my sales pitch again. I told him I appreciated his call but I needed to get back to work and hung up on him.

He calls again, he's going to hear about legal action.

I know I'm probably getting spooled when I let these folksget under my skin. But I'm competitive and stubborn.

Edited June 9, 2009 by Shorts

[UKRay]

Monica,

My dear and aged mother keeps a football referee's whistle (the sort with a pea in it) by the phone and blows it really loudly into the headset when she gets a sales call. They rarely ring back. She shrieks with mirth every time she does it.

Look, it works for her, okay?

Ray