How do the wretched marketing people do it??!!

[XmisterIS]

For the second time in as many days, I've got one of those automated calls saying, "Congratuations, you've won a trip to Skegness" (or wherever).

So I hang up, but when I pick up the phone again, instead of a dial tone, I'm still connected to the damn automated call!

So I hang up again, wait for a minute, pick up the phone again ... and I'm still connected! Even pulling the phone line out of the wall socket doesn't work!!

How the hell do they do that??!!

 

[Paulus]

It is a computer generated call. It has dialled your number randomly and as you answered it it proves that the line is in use. Unfortunately you may now get more of these calls. When you answer these there will always be a short gap between you picking up and the call starting as the computer starts the message. try to get the phone down before the message starts.

 

[BSRU]

Register with the telephone preference service and it will stop such calls from the UK.

 

[XmisterIS]

Yep, I'm registered with the TPS, unfortunately it comes up as "international". What bugs me is how can they keep the call going even after I've put the phone down?!!

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Yep, I'm registered with the TPS, unfortunately it comes up as "international". What bugs me is how can they keep the call going even after I've put the phone down?!!

The person who makes the call has to break it. It would be the same if you phoned someone and they hung up on you, you would stay connected until you hung up.

 

[Night Train]

Lets hope it is not charging you while it is connected.

Can you report it to your phone supplier as they are effectively preventing you from using your phone.

 

[beanzontoast]

We use caller ID and more often than not if the number isn't someone we know, we let the answerphone take the call. Some of the automated ones seem to cut off if the call isn't answered in the first couple of rings from what I can tell.

 

[BSRU]

Yep, I'm registered with the TPS, unfortunately it comes up as "international". What bugs me is how can they keep the call going even after I've put the phone down?!!

I know there is a "feature" whereby the called person can hang up for a while and the call will still be there if picked up again, within about 30 seconds. It is supposed to be for people who answer on one extension phone but wish to take it on another extension phone in the same house.

 

[XmisterIS]

The person who makes the call has to break it. It would be the same if you phoned someone and they hung up on you, you would stay connected until you hung up.

Nope, I still don't understand - if Bob phones me and I hang up on Bob, then when I pick the phone up again, I should get a dial tone, and Bob should be cut off. I done it to people accidentally before! If you press the button to hang up the call, then when you go to dial again, you get a dial tone - either person can hang up (or at least they should be able to!)


I might report it to BT if it carries on.

(Note to self - don;t answer any more international calls!)

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Nope, I still don't understand

S/Joe's right, only the caller can hang up, the callee can't.

 

[buddha]

On the land line I use an answerphone. And don't lift the reciever unless I want to talk to the caller.

 

[Coco]

Nope, I still don't understand - if Bob phones me and I hang up on Bob, then when I pick the phone up again, I should get a dial tone, and Bob should be cut off.  

I just tested it for you. Dialled one landline from another and didn't get dial tone until I hung up the calling phone. It may well time out but I still had no dial tone after a minute. YMMV with mobiles.

 

[Davidc]

I just tested it for you. Dialled one landline from another and didn't get dial tone until I hung up the calling phone. It may well time out but I still had no dial tone after a minute. YMMV with mobiles.

It does time out. Used not to but that was abused for criminal purposes so the time out was put on it. Don't know how long though.

 

[XmisterIS]

I just tested it for you. Dialled one landline from another and didn't get dial tone until I hung up the calling phone. It may well time out but I still had no dial tone after a minute. YMMV with mobiles.

One learns something new every day, one does! That's really surprising though, that the callee can't stop the call!

 

[ColinJ]

Register with the telephone preference service and it will stop such calls from the UK.

I thought so too, but I have just discovered that there is a loophole big enough to drive a coach and horses through - registering with the TPS does not cover 'Market Research' calls! I'm getting hassled by one such 'market research' company.

So all a company needs to do is to phone you and ask if you are the kind of person who would like to be offered great deals on double glazing, like the one that 123-Double-Glaze-Me are offering in their special February promotion which gives 20% off 4 or more windows, and if you are then do you think you would call 0800-1234567 to take them up on such a brilliant offer, only available for the next 3 days?