They got a phone which shows the number up on the handset screen and it has an answer machine.
When it rings they look at the number and if they don't know it, they leave the answer machine to answer. They go by the proviso that if it's important they'll leave a message.
You don't even have to speak to them at all then!
I wish I could persuade my dad to do this. I think he refuses to do this for 2 reasons: one, he doesn't admit to having any problems following his stroke (very stubborn bloke!), and two, he likes to have someone to talk to!
------------- Deb
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Growing up is mandatory, growing old is optional
I got her to call me back three times when we were having our kitchen refurbished. First time I told her the electric was off and she said ask the builder how long so I said he didn't know and she said she would wait. Well half an hour later I asked was she still prepared to wait and she said yes and I said well in that case I hoped she had her next two meals with her. She said she would call again and went.
When she did phone I said the computers were round Dads and I would go fetch them if she waited. She said fine until i said I would be gone over an hour. Think she got the message by then
Its such fun playing with these people and its their phone bill that takes the hit.
Having been caught a few times my dad now contacts me first before giving any details. If we get the phone call about computers, I always ask them to hand on while I call them from downstairs.
After 10 minutes I ask if they can wait as the person is in the garage across the road, but my son has gone to call them. 10 minutes later tell them that the person is on their way up. I then put on my best accent and pretend to be the person and speak to them in Afrikaans. No more calls!
They really have become a total nuisance haven't they, seems every OFF this and OFF that in this country is powerless to stop them.
I couldn't believe how they were talking to OH come the end, accusing him of ringing them, refusing to say which company they were, denying they had said they were from Microsoft etc. Bolshy *****.
I love putting on a really thick Brummie accent, make it as hard as possible for them to understand me as I can, they soon give up out of sheer frustration!
There was a brilliant piece in the papers a while back some chap was recieving the usual scamming e-mails (I am a nigerian chietain and you have won our lottery ETC ETC)he e-mailed back stating he would love to pass on his bank details but needed some "proof" as good faith, he got them to send him photo's of themselves holding a fish above their heads or a sign saying "hello sailor" and posted them on the interweb! brilliant!!!!
The last one I had he asked me if I was on my PC and then I said I had three PCs and which one had trouble with and that through him he said it was the oldest. I then asked him how did he know it was that one. He then hung up.