Alarm Company Cold Call

JollyBustard

Hi folks, first time starting a thread on boards (so if I'm in the wrong place, please correct me mods).
Recently moved into a new home, and yesterday someone purporting to be from a particular alarm company called to the door, asking if we were interested in upgrading our system to his company, with the idea of us providing free advertising (as we're an entry to an estate so would be given a discount). The questions were innocuous - trying to determine was the house eligible for the discount based on the amount of rooms, back entry method etc.
He had a name badge and pamphlet (but left without handing one over)
However, after the gentleman had left, I started having doubts. Is it possible that he was scoping the house? Do alarm companies have a cold call 'upgrade-to-our system' policy of door to door sales?
Would really love to not have that niggle of paranoia! So any help appreciated (and again, relocate accordingly).

Putt it there

JollyBustard wrote: »

Hi folks, first time starting a thread on boards (so if I'm in the wrong place, please correct me mods).
Recently moved into a new home, and yesterday someone purporting to be from a particular alarm company called to the door, asking if we were interested in upgrading our system to his company, with the idea of us providing free advertising (as we're an entry to an estate so would be given a discount). The questions were innocuous - trying to determine was the house eligible for the discount based on the amount of rooms, back entry method etc.
He had a name badge and pamphlet (but left without handing one over)
However, after the gentleman had left, I started having doubts. Is it possible that he was scoping the house? Do alarm companies have a cold call 'upgrade-to-our system' policy of door to door sales?
Would really love to not have that niggle of paranoia! So any help appreciated (and again, relocate accordingly).

Phonewatch do cold calling these days . Back in the tiger days a lot of the bigger companies had people do that who worked off a commission based salary . Maybe its becoming a thing again ? Can't see why they think people would purchase something as important as an alarm on their doorstep though . In future ask for psa number and name of company

degsie

Never ever purchase goods/services at your doorstep!

kub

Dodgy trades people plague you, you have to plague good trades people

KoolKid

PW and some others do this. But those dodgy sales lines would be enough to put me off anyway.

altor

JollyBustard wrote: »

He had a name badge and pamphlet (but left without handing one over)
However, after the gentleman had left, I started having doubts. Is it possible that he was scoping the house? Do alarm companies have a cold call 'upgrade-to-our system' policy of door to door sales?
Would really love to not have that niggle of paranoia! So any help appreciated (and again, relocate accordingly).

Have you tried contacting the company he said he was representing direct?

JollyBustard

Hi everyone, thanks for all the responses (I'm only seeing them now as I didn't have notices set up).

He actually called back again, so my worry that he wasn't legit seems to have been unfounded. It's good to get all your advice though! New time homeowner so it's all a maelstrom of trying to figure out what and more importantly what NOT to do

Thanks again!