Hi all,

I know this used to be / is (delete as appropriate) in
the States with some major Class Actions against various
providers.

In addition we had similar problems with the Utilities
Deregulation a couple of years ago.

But have OFCOM grown a spine or is this posturing and Sabre rattling again?

REGISTER ARTICLE

Opinions anyone?

Do any of our foreign (ex UK) members have similar problems?

DaveA

I am frequently employed to train sales techniques, so I know more than a little about it.

Whilst I have no reservations with assumptive selling - ie. if you fail to say you dont want it when I ask you a direct question thenI'm going to assume you want it.

What I do have a problem with the the new technique (I havent come across a name for it yet) of 'neglectflul' selling. eg. I'm just ringing to make sure you havent missed out on the recent upgrades, we mailshotted you about the new telecoms in your area and noted you havent returned the form yet etc. The implication being that the potential customer has missed out/neglected and even failed to comply in some instances. I find it pressured and misrepresentative. Its certainly outside DMA guidelines.

Yesterday had a call from Mistral inferring I had neglected to upgrade my mobile....not only was the sales technique dodgy - (inferring they had the tacit permission of my mobile supplier to call me - they dont) but they cant even supply me with details of where they got my name from and dont even have my authority to add me to a database...another case for the OIC.

...they're just doing their normal trick of making it look like they're doing something when in fact they're not.

After all, I'm sure there's sufficient evidence to prove that this is fradulent - I wouldn't even class it as a "grey area". If the customer didn't agree, the customer didn't agree.

If we saw a few company directors prosecuted then they'd soon work harder to ensure things were legit.

At this rate, I can't help but think that we're going to see guidelines issued to the public to educate us that robbing banks is wrong.

Some one will

REGISTER LINK

Nice to know at least one regulator is doing their job :-)


DaveA

That bought a smile to my face.