It takes a lot to annoy me, when it comes to dealing with companies. OK, that’s a lie, there’s a Me Vs. The World category on this very blog! I have to deal with customers in my job and like to think I offer a good, friendly service. I sometimes have to deal with angry people, and it’s not nice. That is why I try to be pleasant to the person on the end of the phone, whenever it is me making a complaint… unless, of course, I know I am speaking to the person who is personally to blame, in which case, I turn into the Incredible Hulk – “raaar!”. The manager of Argos in Bath experienced my rage once.

Basically, I don’t get angry with people I ring, of those who call me, very often. The other day was an exception. I received a call from an unknown number. Stupidly, I answered it. Why did I do that? I NEVER answer calls from withheld numbers? If you want to speak to me, at least have the common decency not to hide your number. I answered the call…

Them: “I am calling about the car accident you had recently”
Me: “What car accident?”
Them: “I’m afraid I can’t tell you”
Me: “I haven’t had a car accident, what are you calling me about?”
Them: “I can’t tell you”
Me: (getting frustrated) “Why?”
Them: “Because of Data Protection”

This is when I got mad. The girl calling me – who I eventually got to admit was named Zoe, calling from First Call – was basically calling random numbers (by her own admission), asking people about their car accident, in the off chance they do reach some poor sod who has been unlucky enough to give actually been involved in such an event. It is extremely sneaky and should be illegal, if it is not already. I couldn’t even find a company relating to law firms called First Call, when I looked on Google. Therefore, either Zoe was lying to me (if that is her real name), or First Call are phoning people on behalf of well-known companies. Very naughty.

I asked Zoe to be put through to their complaints department. Unsurprisingly, they don’t have one. If they did, no doubt they would receive more calls than the 999 telephone line. I was informed that I would be taken off their “list”, although I bet it’ll be a matter of days before I get another call regarding my traffic accident, plane crash or dinosaur attack.

Really, this wasn’t Zoe’s fault. The poor girl must know she is pissing off every single person she rings. In fact, I would rather she do that job than sign on the dole. The people I take issue with are the owners and directors of these marketing companies. They must make loads of money. It should be the law, that if you want to open one of these harassment phone-lines, that you publish your personal contact details on the internet. Then, everyone you have annoyed with nuisance calls, can ring you at all hours of the night, and wind you up too!