1

So I get this call from Juniper Networks. The lady sounds nice, but it’s clearly a cold call.

I mutter “oh god it’s definitely monday”

I launch into my typical speech about how we are NOT interested, and if we need something we either contact vendors ourselves or release a request for quote etc etc etc. I add that cold calls are not the way to get business anymore, that they are honestly a fast way onto a list of “Avoid this company”.

She asks me how she should know that ahead of time, and I kinda flipped…

“What year are we in? 2014. This isn’t 1992 or earlier where information and vendors weren’t as easy to locate and reach. Don’t cold call us again”

%#^%$@^@%^%#^

53 Spice ups
2

If only we could reach through the phone to choke sales people that do this sh**. Anybody figure out how to use the Force yet? I know there’s a choking app on that platform.

6 Spice ups
3

I don’t even bother trying to explain their silliness. Six word reply every time.

“No not interested, thank you goodbye!” Hangup

1 Spice up
4

register on the do not call list. If they call you report it.

5

I don’t even bother answering. If it’s important they’ll leave a VM, if it’s not important, I won’t call back :slight_smile:

1 Spice up
6

Yea pretty much if you cold call me, especially repeatedly, once I’m actually in the market for a product in what ever market your company serves I’m going to look for any excuse to go with another option.

1 Spice up
7

It’s my work. Can’t register us.

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5 Spice ups
8

ROFL - one of those calls slipped past our receptionist and made it to me.

when I used the canned response ‘I am not interested in sharing or receiving any information. Thank You.’ he immediately started into a sales pitch asking about our number of employees and hardware infrastructure. I interrupted and said ‘add this number to your do not call list’ and then hung up.

what a waste!!

1 Spice up
9

Yep - it really gets me peaved when I take the time to “try” to teach some uninformed sales drone, only to get some attitude from them. Well screw you, I’m not trying to sell you! I was trying to help you! Now you’re definately on the “Do Not Use” list.

A wise man once said, “Don’t pick fights with people who buy ink by the barrel.” - I think this is true with IT Pros and the power of social media.

10

I wish I got calls that were so important they left me a virtual machine… :wink:

11 Spice ups
11

I always mess with them by giving wrong information or sending them to the vacant mailbox that nobody checks.

1 Spice up
12

“I’m sorry, but I’m not the person you need to talk to…”

“Oh, well who do I need to talk to?”

“I don’t know? A career adviser? A Suicide Prevention Hotline? I mean… you have like the worst job in the world after all…”

17 Spice ups
13

Maybe someday they will move up in the world, and become a used car salesman.

3 Spice ups
14

I would not wish that fate on anyone… not even cold callers.

1 Spice up
15

I try to prospect in a few different ways and have definitely recognized how significantly the conversion rate on a traditional cold call via phone has declined…some reps are just flat-out unprofessional and take the “don’t take no for an answer” mantra WAY too seriously.

Although no one likes any kind of cold call, if you had to choose what the best or most effective way for someone to approach you, would it be:

a) Phone

b) E-Mail

c) LinkedIn

d) Twitter or other social channel

e) Direct Mail

f) Other

16

I prefer email (once, if I don’t reply to the 1st one it’s safe to assume I’m not interested), it’s the least intrusive mode of communication I can look at it if/when it’s convenient for me.

1 Spice up
17

I have literally had sales cold calls of real people totaling well over 2-3 minutes. Then after not calling back, they proceeded to call me every couple months and do it over and over until I pick up the phone and tell them. I once had the 5 minute limit on voicemail hit from a cold caller. This is an email sent to one of my stores after stopping in person and calling the location. Name have been changed

I have literally had sales cold calls of real people totaling well over 2-3 minutes. Then after not calling back, they proceeded to call me every couple months and do it over and over until I pick up the phone and tell them. I once had the 5 minute limit on voicemail hit from a cold caller.

This is an email sent to one of my stores after stopping in person and calling the location. Name have been changed

Good Morning “Manager”,

I am “So and So” from “Marketing Company”. I stopped into both of your shops last week and dropped off my business card. All I am asking is to set an appointment, just as a sit down meeting for me to ask you some questions RE: your business and gather info RE: your business for possible advertising with us in 2014. Please return my email before the end of the week and lets set something for Mon or Tuesday Morning next week.

*Thank you,*

I wrote this nasty email back about how trying to strong arm a store manager who has no control over what we do for marketing as a company into a meeting is terrible business practice. As well that he should get the email address proper (i got the email from our Catch All). I don’t even know what he meant by ‘both of your shops’, the closest store to the one he sent the email to is 2 hours away. I told him not to come back to the store or the police would be called. I then thought better, and forwarded to my marketing department, where they usually have more tact.

18

Phone- I have never once bought anything from a vendor who called me first.

Email- I don’t even read them.

LinkedIn/Twitter/other social channel- The only times I have ever gone with a vendor was when I specifically stated I was looking for something and they responded.

Direct Mail- I don’t even SEE these letters. They are tossed before even reaching my inbox.

So here is the form of advertising that has worked. Right here. Spiceworks. I have switched vendors several times based on things I picked up from Spiceheads and how their representatives respond to questions and what not on Spiceworks. Other then that? A google search for what I am looking for, browsing their site and seeing what they offer, and seeing what other people say about their product/service on forums like this one.

9 Spice ups
19

Just last week I learned of two services that help IT vendors: RainKingOnline.com and Discover.org . We found out about it because a vendor sent us a cold-call email wanting our service, and copied & pasted the RainKing lead information into the email. This thing listed the projects we are working on, what vendors we were considering, and who my VP is and his contact info. It was like they knew more about what we are working on than we did.

20

I still like “Sorry, wrong number.” and “No comprende.”