Thursday, March 08, 2007
Time Is Money
Tired of call centre phone calls and don't know how to get rid of them politely?
We've been trialing a new strategy at work that seems to stop those pesky callers right in their tracks meaning you can hang up the phone with dignity, if they don't hang up first.
What we do once we have ascertained it's a sales call, which these days often masquerade as business proposals, is to simply ask for their billing address. It works like this...
"Ring, ring."
"Hello, this is Ron from XYZ and I have a business proposal for you."
"That's great Ron, can I have your billing address?"
"What do you want that for?"
"So I can bill you for the time I spend listening to you, I will listen as long as you want, but you have to pay."
At this point they usually hang up, but you still have to be on your toes and insistent if they don't. We've been using it for a month and it works like a charm. My business partner loves it and finished up chatting with a call centre operator who said it was the best reply she had ever heard, there just isn't any way around it. No-one becomes upset.
It's not for all calls, but when you get those persistent sales calls where they don't take no for an answer, it's a nice, polite way out.
We've been trialing a new strategy at work that seems to stop those pesky callers right in their tracks meaning you can hang up the phone with dignity, if they don't hang up first.
What we do once we have ascertained it's a sales call, which these days often masquerade as business proposals, is to simply ask for their billing address. It works like this...
"Ring, ring."
"Hello, this is Ron from XYZ and I have a business proposal for you."
"That's great Ron, can I have your billing address?"
"What do you want that for?"
"So I can bill you for the time I spend listening to you, I will listen as long as you want, but you have to pay."
At this point they usually hang up, but you still have to be on your toes and insistent if they don't. We've been using it for a month and it works like a charm. My business partner loves it and finished up chatting with a call centre operator who said it was the best reply she had ever heard, there just isn't any way around it. No-one becomes upset.
It's not for all calls, but when you get those persistent sales calls where they don't take no for an answer, it's a nice, polite way out.
Labels: call centres
6 Comments:
I just ask them how's the weather in India and tell them what curry I'm making at the moment.
Oh, I like that Neil. We don't get too many of those calls anymore but I surely hope I remember this when we do.
I like it. Very cheeky.
Neil, good one. That's my official shop policy from now on, I'm sure V will love it. Usually I am apparently out on a month long fishing expedition when they call, (thanks to V). Cheers, and can you put me through to your billing office?
Hah! Great strategy - will try it the next tim we get a pesky call!
I wonder if it'll work on door-knockers as well...?
Hi kitchen hand, I used to have those conversations too until the day one claimed he was in West Melbourne, when I asked about the weather he got it completely wrong.
Hi tanna, you'll like it if you get the chance to use it.
Hi squishy, cheeky indeed, it puts them straight on the backfoot.
Hi greg, the bill is on the way!
Hi ellie, I'm sure it would work with door knockers, just ask for their credit card.
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