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Wasting their time with their telemarketing
By Ann Williams | August 25, 2008
It’s Saturday late afternoon; we’re visting. Our hostess answers the telephone three times within twenty minutes, each time to hear an electronic message marketing timeshare…
Let’s start with the timing of the calls…. Many South Africans who can afford to buy timeshare, also follow SA rugby. So when the ‘bokka’ are playing an international match, its not very likely that potential customers are going to be focused on any sales message that the company had come up with. So right from the start, they are wasting their money (and even at something like 30c a call, they probably spent many thousands of rands).
Then there was the highly impersonal use of the canned voice simulation service - the person sending the message types in the words and the vocal message is put together by a synthesiser. It sounds like a robot…
To top off this already irritating message, they send it to you three times. What was also interesting is that they used three different messages. The first one was particulary annoying and included an ‘emergency’ factor where they said something along the lines: “We’re stranded at a luxury resort…” but didn’t say who was calling. Our hostess initially thought that it may have been one of her children in trouble and felt a prick of anxiety at not having any further information about what was happening.
The second message went: “So why not join us…” and said they were selling timeshare and gave a number to call. The third time was basically a repeat because the recipient hadn’t immediately phoned back.
As if the canned message is not impersonal enough, you don’t even get a system whereby you can “press 1 for more information, or 2 to speak to one of our salespeople” etc. Oh, no, you have to call them back at the phone number they rattle off at high speed! They’re so interested in you and your money, that the cheapskates need you to spend your money listening to them selling their product to you.
Who are are they trying to kid here? Do they really think that if they prick someone’s attention by getting them concerned, that they are then going to be able to sell them timeshare. It they were in the USA, they’d probably be sued!
Come on guys, stop wasting your money and our time. It you are going to do telesales at least have the decency to have a real, live person call who can answer any questions. This whole campaign stinks!
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© Ann Williams
Topics: Telemarketing |
One Response to “Wasting their time with their telemarketing”
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September 1st, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I’ve worked in tele-sales. Trust me, they don’t plan their campaigns very well. No one thinks “Oy, there’s a big rugby match. Let’s call it a day and start tomorrow again”
But the potential buyer having to call them…that’s just insane. Who is this company?