Private phone numbers

I don't answer private numbers because it is ALWAYS a sales call. I let them leave a message and if they don't then I know it was some company doing autodial.

I have my house phone on private but only because I opted to go ex-directory, again to stop all the sales calls. But I rarely call anyone from the house phone and my mobile number shows when I ring someone.

I don't understand people who don't have their voicemail activated.

seamus wrote: »

People don't answer private numbers because it's easier to not answer the phone than to answer it and be rude and tell the caller to fnck off.

Back when there was no display, people answered the phone and ended up listening to marketeers prattle on for ages because they were too nice to just hang up. Also there was waaaaaay less phone marketing going on back then. Before the 2000s, 99 out of 100 calls received would be from friends and family. Nowadays I would say 9 out of 10 "private" numbers are spam.

Any private number I get is a recruiter wanting to interview me. Since I'll be made redundant in six weeks, I like private numbers.

whomitconcerns wrote: »

an app that unblocks private numbers...I dont think so....

Its called HulloMail I use it as my voice mail, for many reasons, but a glitch in the app if someone rings from a private number or blocked number after the call is sent to voice mail, the app displays the real number. I have tested it and it works.

Bambi wrote: »

And people managed without phones before that, so what?

Private number basically means they don't want you contacting them, that works both ways in my book so I ain't answering.

Any person who has an ex-directory number is displayed as "private number" some office switches don't display numbers.

As an aside I wonder when ever I see a person not answering such calls and ask myself what they worried about.

Footoo wrote: »

People, people.

Ye know that if ye answer a call and it's someone that you don't want to talk to - sales calls etc, you can hang up. You're not forced into speaking to these people.

We're also not forced into answering in the first place, so why waste the time? 5 minutes of my life I will never get back wasted on someone I don't want to talk to. No thanks.

whomitconcerns wrote: »

No offence but I am going to call you on that one. If the number is blocked at the exchange then I don't see how a phone app could somehow have the number and get around it.

The only time this has never worked for me is of the number was 'unkown' or 'unavailable'.

Test it out.

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

This always baffles me. Why not answer the phone? My grand dad told me when he was a boy the phone rang and it was answered. Weird concept nowadays.

The bad people on the phone aren't going to beat you over the head with a hammer. A lot of office phone systems go through an exchange so come up as private.

How many apps does it take to change a phone number?

xgwishyx wrote: »

I don't mind private numbers, but what drives me crazy when I receive a call from a private number and the person just says "Hi" and expects you to recognise their voice! Really grinds my gears.

I agree, it seems to be the new customer service level, they ring, maybe private number and just say Hello?? Or ask for me by name without introducing who they are? If its not someone I know, then it is some follow up from some organisation I have some dealings with.
I just say hello back, had a few that went hello, Hello, hello, Hello, Ive gone through that routine a few times when Ive had the time, before suggesting they introduce who they are, who they work for and what the hell they want before I will even acknowledge I might be who they are looking for.

But i dont give out information if Ive been cold called anyway.
plus I dont like paying or the bother of ringing back to see who left me a voicemail as I'll more than likely just end up on hold, so I just answer.

I used to dislike private numbers, but they happen and I dont want to have to pay for voicemail just to see who it is, if
I cant answer, if its important they will try again at least once, checking voicemail and calling back is just more hassle.

I just answer, 2 seconds and if I dont want to talk to them, just say I cant take the call, the whole thing of not answering the phone is over the top unless you are being bombarded by calls or on the run.

I reverted the landline to ex directory and private number after being hounded by marketing calls, so when I now make a call, its private but if a person wont answer the phone they should at least have voicemail set up.

I know some people that wont answer private number but wont set up voicemail or admit they dont know how.