There’s never a good time to talk to a cold caller, is there? Somehow they either manage to ring halfway through EastEnders, when we’re just about to sit down for a meal, or about to walk out of the door.
We get that these guys are just trying to make a living, and they’re only doing their job. If we’re the ones irritated by an unwanted call, just imagine how the cold callers feel, facing rejection after rejection during an eight hour shift. However, we still hate getting cold calls, especially if it’s about recovering PPI refunds
So how do you deal with cold callers? Wired and wireless telephone headset provider Headsets4Business.co.uk carried out a survey of 1,500 people and found that most of us immediately put the phone down on someone trying to sell them something, especially if it’s about double glazing or insurance. Others are honest and say they’re not interested, while a lot us say we’re too busy or pretend we’re just about to sit down to a meal.
Instead of getting annoyed with cold calls, we say it could be the perfect opportunity to inject a little fun into your day. Why not annoy them, play a trick, or better yet – waste their time. Here’s our IDEAL guide for dealing with cold callers.
Pretend you can’t hear them
Play along with them, but pretend you can’t hear them very well. The cold caller will soon get off the phone if the they have to repeat themselves over and over again.
Sell them something.
Try to sell them something instead. Oh how the tables will turn.
Consider them your Agony Aunt
Consider the cold caller your own personal Agony Aunt. Tell them your woes and troubles or make up some elaborate story. You never know – you could get some good advice out of it.
Role play
The cold callers side of the call is scripted, so have a little fun with it. When they ask if you pay the bills or are the homeowner, reply by saying you’re the burglar, or you’re having an affair with the homeowner. They have to be polite and keep to the script, so role play for as long as you like.
Be kind
Remember, this is their job. So try to be kind, even when you’re having some fun with it.
