 BUSINESS 4NETWORKING [telemarketing madness] |
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Posted on 07th Oct 2008 at 15:21
I launched this franchise of Shoes Galore in mid September and registered in a number of places, including Yell. Today has been telemarketing madness (dispite my business number being TPS registered) - water coolers, electricity, health insurance...
The electricity one has really annoyed me, as she pretended to be from "the central electricity suppliers" (!!) and said they'd had a change of tenancy notification. Well, as I work from home, that's plainly nonsense. When I said there'd been no change, she hung up.
I do also telemarketing, and it makes me mad that there are so many cowboys around, as it makes my job even harder.
Shoes Galore Letchworth
01462 481757
sgletchworth@ntlworld.com
www.shoes-galore.co.uk
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Posted on 07th Oct 2008 at 17:08
We are registered with the TPS but still get such calls (its the main reason why I have refused to cold call in the 10 years we have been in business as people hate it!). Generally (when I can be bothered) I ask for their company details and thank them before advising that I will pass those details on to the TPS - Ive actually only done that once for a company called "Its Cold Outside" who we ended up taking to court for constant phoning us going on about web marketing. Always amuses me that web optimisation companies find us online!
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Posted on 07th Oct 2008 at 17:22
It's a shame as I am sure there are some great agencies out there. You just tend to remember the clumsy and ill prepared ones.
Sue McGaughran
Http://www.limeone.com
T 01244 852550
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Posted on 07th Oct 2008 at 17:52
Why do they never ask me if it is a convenient time? Bad training?
Why, when I told the water cooler guy that I was a lone home worker with no space, did he tell me that a water cooler wouldn't take up much space and that it would be ideal for just me? Because he was so desperate for his commision?
Shoes Galore Letchworth
01462 481757
sgletchworth@ntlworld.com
www.shoes-galore.co.uk
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Posted on 07th Oct 2008 at 18:08
I feel I should comment here as we also provide telemarketing as one of our core services.
There are a lot of agencies who do not take TPS seriously because very few people fall foul of it. A good agency will use data that has been regularly cross referenced with the TPS master file.
As to not asking if you have time that seems plainly rude to me and must stem from training issues and maybe personality as to me it would be the natural thing to do?.
Jules, you are absolutely right there is a LOT of negativity surrounding cold calls but you get so many because it works and that is the long and short of it i'm afraid. Unfortunately as you have mentioned if it is done badly and without respect it can be hugely frustrating. However, not everyone hates it. I cold called most of the day to day and I think over half the people I spoked to thanked me for my call and it has led to further discussions.
A good agency will not just call any old body and launch into a 3 minute pitch and will actually treat the call as a polite investigation to find out if the product and its benefits match with the clients needs. There is no sense in trying a hard sell on anyone these days as you will offend and as you have said it wont work
It sounds like you have had bad luck and had more of the agency staff desperate for commission calling which is a shame as we are not all like that.
James Minion
Symmetry Business Marketing Ltd
 0845 094 3266
 0789 099 6881
 james@symmetry-marketing.co.uk
www.symmetry-marketing.co.uk
Direct marketing solutions
Start your free 60-day email marketing trial today CLICK HERE
DIGITAL PRINT -
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Posted on 08th Oct 2008 at 13:44
That's a pretty good result James!!
I hate cold-calling as I feel like I'm interrupting someone's busy day. If they need me, they will contact me. Also, I have better things to do with my time than get hung up on or knocked back every 2 minutes.
What I need is an enthusiastic office junior who will speak to anybody....lol
Professional lettings & property management service with unique flat fee option available.
For details see our website: www.portcullis-pm.co.uk
'Your property is our investment'
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Posted on 08th Oct 2008 at 14:07
Besides doing Exhibitions, Seminars and Networking events I cold call quite a lot, and so do the sales floor in Creditsafe. I like to build friendship rapport and trust so am always polite and always ask if I have called at a convenient time, I do not like the hard sell line, but like you say James cold calling is very successful.
Yes there are lots of knocks doing this and I have been called all sorts and sworn at etc, this goes over my head. On the plus side I love it. I also love the product we provide, Our data base is flagged up against the TPS register so any body calling a registered company.is in trouble big time.
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Posted on 08th Oct 2008 at 16:37
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Posted on 08th Oct 2008 at 17:04
Quote:
Quote:
Besides doing Exhibitions, Seminars and Networking events I cold call quite a lot ...
Yes. I know you do ... 3 times in my case.
BTW - It's still a NO form me!
Lee, I don't think I have personally called you. I can't find you on my system. if the calls are annoying
you, can you give me the persons name and I will put a stop to it.and have your number removed.
Thanks
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Posted on 08th Oct 2008 at 22:34
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 11:56
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 16:30
I've often wondered why people continued to use telemarketing/cold calling, as it seems to be universally hated, and it seemed difficult to believe that anybody anywhere had ever bought anything ever from a cold call  So it's interesting to read about the guys who are doing it properly and getting results!
I'm always as polite as possible to those who get through to me, even though we're TPS registered, as it must be a soul-destroying way to make a living. However, there are some who abuse that politeness. My favourites are the ones who start arguing with you if you say you're not interested in whatever they're selling. Do you think that makes me more, or less, likely to buy from you?
Ian Sherred, D.Hyp.Psych, GQHP
Partner, Tadpole Hypnotherapy
www.tadpolehypnotherapy.com
Tel: 023 8067 7899
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 16:57
Ian,
I have been cold calling plus exbo'e etc for the last five years for Creditsafe, you might think I am a sad person Lol but I love it, I agree with you the hard sell and argumenative approach is horrible, I just (like any woman like talking) and having a laugh with my prospects and through this have made a lot of friends as well as clients.
I am due to retire in 18 Months and have several ideas on what I want to do, one of them will be outsourcing myself as a cold caller for 4Ner's, how cool is that!!!
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 16:59
Quote:I've often wondered why people continued to use telemarketing/cold calling, as it seems to be universally hated, and it seemed difficult to believe that anybody anywhere had ever bought anything ever from a cold call So it's interesting to read about the guys who are doing it properly and getting results!
I'm always as polite as possible to those who get through to me, even though we're TPS registered, as it must be a soul-destroying way to make a living. However, there are some who abuse that politeness. My favourites are the ones who start arguing with you if you say you're not interested in whatever they're selling. Do you think that makes me more, or less, likely to buy from you?
Its not soul destroying if you have the right temprement to do it. personally I feel sorry for people working in factories and down pits etc etc. As with any young business I do the telemarketing out of neccesity and thats fine because I am good at it and enjoy it. If you do it properly people dont hate it thats the point. in fact most people like the chat, banter and info. Most sales jobs require an element of telemarketing to be succesful - especially for the first 6 months. When I worked in a large IT resseller guys were making the 20k-30k gross profit for the company a month purely on the phone selling high value kit - now that takes ability and they all knew when they got their paychecks telemarketing was not 'beneath them' To dismiss telemarketing is mad for any small business. Learn how to do it and do it well and you have endless prospects without any real outlay. Its not glamourus and can be hard work but as a small business owner business cant be so good you dont need it?. I have heard people on the forum saying they are struggling and when pressed admit to doing no telemarketing and I have to say it leaves me scratching my head!.
James Minion
Symmetry Business Marketing Ltd
0845 094 3266
0789 099 6881
james@symmetry-marketing.co.uk
www.symmetry-marketing.co.uk
Direct marketing solutions
Start your free 60-day email marketing trial today CLICK HERE
DIGITAL PRINT -
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 16:59
Diane
That's very cool indeed! In fact Cool Cold Calling would be a good business name .
Good luck with that, I'm sure you'll have loads of takers!
James - you're absolutely right. It's just a shame that people automatically think of the bad examples of the profession, and I know I was guilty of that. That's why it's good to read about those who know what they're doing.
Ian Sherred, D.Hyp.Psych, GQHP
Partner, Tadpole Hypnotherapy
www.tadpolehypnotherapy.com
Tel: 023 8067 7899
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