Weatherseal Ignore TPS Memberships

I just received a call from Weatherseal, a double glazing company wanting to ask me a couple of questions; the first of which was "which part of your home would you upgrade next?" This is the intro to a sales pitch. The problem is that I didn't give him the chance. I am unlisted, ex-directory and registered with the TPS (Telephone Preference Service) for a reason; I don't want any of these types of calls.

For those who don't know, the TPS is a "do not call" list, which telemarketers "should" respect. It only applies to UK companies or calls originating inside the UK. One way many get round it is to have the numbers randomly generated, and therefore not actually on any list. This needs to be outlawed. I have no problem with randomly generating the numbers, but the number should be checked for a match on the TPS list and dropped from the queue if it finds a match.

However Weatherseal do it, this is not happening.

I did register a complaint with the TPS, I have also called Weatherseal to demand they remove me from a list I should never have been on. They claim to have done so, but time will tell. My thinking is that if you have enough proof that a call actually took place, they have very little choice but to honour it. This is why I am listing the details of the call here.

Who:    Jack McDonald

Where: 08458 638308

When:  Wed 6th Oct 2010 @ 13:57

Within around 30mins of that call, my complaint was registered with the TPS, and I'd phoned Weatherseal on 0800 041 041 to get my number removed. I did notice that the top result in Google for "weatherseal scotland" was a blog called "The Shit Companies Blog". Considering the reason I was looking for Weatherseal's information this amused me. I also noticed various companies listings didn't have contact information for Weatherseal, thankfully Yell.com did.

Imagine the scenario: some time in the future I decide that I do have the need for double glazing and am starting to look for companies who can provide the service, where do you imagine Weatherseal are on this list? Before they ruled themselves out altogether with an unwanted marketing call they would have been on the list no higher or lower than the others. If they have no respect for customers wishes before they get your money, they won't have any respect for your wishes after they get your money.

Not only does that single unwanted call rule them out of any future business, it also generates bad word of mouth marketing. When the subject of double glazing come up in conversation around me, what are the chances that I'll mention Weatherseal? What are the chances that mention will be in a positive light encouraging people to give them business? It also triggered a few dents and this blog post, all of which will be indexed by the search engines and be visible when people search for Weatherseal.

So Weatherseal, just in case my complain to the TPS or you directly doesn't register, take this post as official notification that I don't want any sales calls. To any other companies who also use this loophole, this is how I respond, call at your own risk.