Charity and Police Magazine Advertising SCAMS - Govt

Don't get me wrong, there's no question that cold calling doesn't work, and as you say it can be an extremely effective sales tool.

But personally I think its unfair to expect a telesales marketeer to make a sale from an initial cold call, as this just leads to pressure sales tactics and gives everyone a bad name.

I always see it as a 2 stage process, cold call, if response is positive, send some info, arrange a call back, and it's no longer a cold call, its a warm lead. That gives me as the receiver, a chance to have a quick look and make sure the person who called me is from the company they claimed to be, and the product is what I need or interests me.

If a product can only be sold by pressure tactics, hype or tricks, then I dont need it

Well that's their job It's a very hard job too, some people can do it, some just can't.
One example, we work with a stationery company here, they are genuinely very competitive and actually beat around 95% of all prices from bigger companies such as Viking. They use telesales 3days a week, they have two guys working away at it, not always successfully but it does work and people do realise that a cold call isn't always bad, they've actually saved quite a bit of money in the long run!


POLICE MAGAZINE ADVERT. BUY IT OR DIE. (It's totally Legit.)

I was phoned by these again today.

What was most interesting was that it was quite soon after I had purchased a whole load of advertising with the local news group, papers, magazines, and 'find it' I just cut the man off and said, "I'm not interested" he was quite pleased I'd not let him ramble on.

It was a different man from before but I would say still from the Liverpool area accent wise.

I listened very carefully to the opening pitch and basically he said something along the lines of, "Hi I'm from the Police consumer news magazine..." then before I cut him off he quoted bits of info that can be easily found from my website.

Yeah I built a local business website and then submitted it to loads of local directorys, and the next day I got about 20 calls in the morning from 8am-1pm.

After 2 calls I decided to keep the phone next to me so I would need to keep getting up to answer it. These were all gas and electric companies :/

But I dont do any business with people hiding their caller ID, and i told this one person that.

Also last week i got acall from the firemen magzine, and i turned it down and then 20 mins later i got the same company calling me with a different person.

These people are ruthless.

Just recieved a crime initative whatever call. I managed to get his number have some persuading. He tried avoiding giving it out by asking if he could call back at a later time.

A Mr Paul - 07933500401

It's frustrating, the ability to liquidate one company then start another, but the basic rule stands...

Never agree to anything from a cold call.

5 minutes Google research will either confirm it's someone you don't want to do business with, or is a company who is who they say they are, have a decent online reputation and offer a service or product that interest you.

Then you can then phone them back.

If we all learnt this basic lesson quick enough in our business careers, then there would be no market for pressure selling.

Spread the word, every networking event you ever attend, pass on the message!

Having just updated my business details on a local internet site I have been called twice in the last 2 days, but as I never answer a withheld number each time they have left a message. Guess what, Avon and Somerset Police Initiative want to put my Company in their next Emergency Magazine! - The only First Aid Training Company to go in of course! The guy called himself Tony Vaughn and left his mobile number to call him back so he can inform me of advertising prices and distribution costs, the number he left is 07775151175. Anyone know it?

Having been scammed before I will never agree to advertising with people using this method, I just wondered if anyone else had had a call from this person and what the result was.

Cheers
Chris

Here's a good thread
who calls me from 07775151175?

I've had the same scouse geezer from this lot call me on and of for over six years now. Always starts of with the same old patter, which just makes my ears cringe always in aid of the police, get another one for the fire brigade, another one for the local education authority all 3 generally just want me to place an advert on their holiday planners. I also get another one in aid of Great Ormand Street Hospital, although these are legit, they are no different from street chuggers, so every quid you give 20p goes to the charity with rest going in wages and administration costs.... Anyway I already pay for these organisations via the HMRC, saying that they ring up now and then asking when are they likely to see my next contribution. I am somewhat more diplomatic with them than I am with the others though!

These cons get me so wound up - it harms the decent Charities and good causes that desperately need donations to keep them afloat and people shouldnt be put off making these donations but make some time to do due diligence first

Personally i donate direct to the Marie Curie Hospice where my father passed away. My ranting at certain companies has benefited them some