Looks like big corporations are nearly as responsive as HMG when it comes to dealing with problems that bother their customer base., but only when their economic returns from the nuisance are falling-off as consumer demand drops through the floor.

http://www.telegraph...nce-calls.html.

So the "Market" does work, thanks George.

And they've decided to do it and make money out of it at the same time.Bless !

Well, sod 'em.

Like many of you out there, I've been on the receiving end of this crap for about 10 years and have recently found this item to be extremely effective:-

http://www.amazon.co...60227895&sr=8-1

Picked mine up, just before Xmas, for £0.99 (plus p&p) from Amazon !

If the display says "Witheld", "International", or shows a number I don't know, I don't answer it.Simples ! 99.9% effective - only fails when I forget to read the display, before deciding whether to answer.

Gerrrrrtcha !

Nick

Edited 7 February, 201313 yr by Clunkclick

The 6500 is £45 (or £90 for three handsets) on the BT shop. Which is pretty much inline with what I've seen good cordless handsets cost without this feature, so it's roughly what you'd have to spend anyway. It's not even the most expensive single handset on the BT shop, so your implication that they're somehow being "crooked" by selling you a solution to a problem that they've created doesn't really stand up.

Your solution might have "only" cost 99p but you also have to have a phone to accept the calls you do want, which has cost you more. And the BT6500 is automatic so doesn't disturb you with a ring like yours does. In summary:

- they're making pretty much nothing off this feature that they wouldn't off sales of a standard cordless phone.

- your solution still wasn't free, is much more intrusive because the phone still rings, plus still catches you out when you forget to look at the display.

- shut up Nick.

I have one of those I dont need anymore.... No landline!

Only works if your phone provider allows caller ID, it is something that annoys me, BT supply it "free", but resellers block it and charge extra for it.

Your solution might have "only" cost 99p but you also have to have a phone to accept the calls you do want, which has cost you more. And the BT6500 is automatic so doesn't disturb you with a ring like yours does.

Agreed, that's exactly it - I frequently run for the phone when it rings only to get the usual silent call or similar. I think it's not bad value for money as I was expecting a subscription charge for it, will probably wait and see how well this system works and if it's ok I'll pick one up.

John

Annoys me Virgin charge for Caller ID too. Parents new phone supports it and I wouldn't mind adding it. For a few pence maybe but not a few quid a month

AFAIK BT charge for CLI.But they did introduce "PRIVACY PACKAGE" some time ago . They registeryou with TPS (or you can register before hand) .Bonus was that you got CLI for free,whilst one of my bugbears when I went to Virgin was that they charged . I found that I was still in pocket over BT charges , even with an all calls package

TPS is useless; I have registered 3 times and still get PPI'd to death.

I have operated the perfect male solution for the past few years. I don't answer the phone at all. That's the role of SWMBO. If they get past her it's an important call. If not they deserve all they get as she'll talk the hind legs off a donkey

TPS is useless; I have registered 3 times and still get PPI'd to death.

When I had a landline, I played the TPS card. "Remove my number from your data base or TPS GETS A CALL ". Never failed . But on a mobile NEVER text STOP - that lets them know mobile is live ,and they then sell the number on .

TPS is useless; I have registered 3 times and still get PPI'd to death.

We are with TPS and I reckon on a couple of calls a month max coming through. We have panasonic handset with caller display, if it's withheld or a number I don't recognise I don't answer.

We are with TPS and I reckon on a couple of calls a month max coming through. We have panasonic handset with caller display, if it's withheld or a number I don't recognise I don't answer.

I would do the same, except my phone provider wants extra for caller ID.

TPS is useless; I have registered 3 times and still get PPI'd to death.

Agreed, according to a documentary I think the BBC the TPS don't have any teeth - when asked how many companies they'd taken action against in response to large number of complaints received, they admitted not a single one. They also filmed undercover where companies admitted they weren't bothered about ignoring the TPS and furthermore it doesn't apply to foreign calls either. Some days there are five to six phone calls many of which are irritating silent calls which I assume are from autodiallers.

John

There is a service to stop numberwithheld calls. On the record of BT banning /stopping service to those who TPS complain of - this group of company makes millions for BT,who'd be reluctant to kill the golden goose . TPS have admitted their lack of teeth .Once upon a time, they offered their service on text messages .Now - forget it .

personally., another thing I used to do when I had a landline and it was number withheld/not avilable or unkniown, was to pick up handset and put down . Might not stiop them, but it made me feel better and upped their phone bill . And if they pestered me for a while -I enjoyed it ,kmnowing that someone else was not being pestered .