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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Do you have any suggestions here?
I have an 800 number, however, some corporation has the same number except their tool free number is 888. On top of this some idiot, made over 10,000 "Power-Pass" with my number on it, instead of the 888 number. I get hundreds of calls, which cost me everytime I answer that 800 call, asking to activated their "Power Pass" card. I tried being nice, and corrected it for a while, then I tried being nasty, "I'm sorry but that card doesn't work any more." Now, I would like to use these mistakes a marketing tool or something else which would be a money maker, since these calls are not going to stop. (Getting rid of the 800 is not an option, 800 are rare numbers now.) There's a lot if creative people here on the Café, what are your thoughts on this? (Magic PASS discount card?) Since I'm getting calls (4MY-PASS) and calls to Activate their 'Power Pass Card'. Do you have any ingenious ideas on how I can make use of these mistake calls? Such as "Thank You for calling about 'Power PASS'...."
Dennis Michael
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
What is "Power-pass." Knowing that might help with answers.
I'd call the "Power Pass" company and explain the problem. Hopefully, you can get them to recognize that you can really screw up their business if you want to. Make the problem THEIRS, and see if you can get THEM to set you up with an alternate 800 number. |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Geesh, Dennis. Sounds to me like you need to evaluate your losses including the cost of replacing all of your printed materials with this number, cost of incoming calls, time spent in responding to incoming calls, add an annoyance penalty and initiate a lawsuit against this company for gross negligence. You clearly have a financial loss.
Unless the Power Pass is related in some way to what you do, any diversion from what the caller is attempting to accomplish may be met with suspicion or frustration...which could backlash on you and your business. Seems to me that a caller could file a fraud suit, complain to the BBB or activaist media, or file a complaint with the state attorney general against you [as the owner of the number] for a bait-&-switch scam. Now we know you didn't initiate this, but defending yourself against the potential accusations could be extremely costly...financially and to your reputation. If this were me, I wouldn't play with this. I can't really see a "winning" solution in it for you. My opinion. Best wishes to you, Partner! Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
OK,
1. The company that printed the cards called, and realized their mistake, and quickly recalled the cards. The calls immediatedly slowed down. (I also shut the line down for two months, I had another 800 Number). It didn't stop the calls, just reduced them for awhile. That was last year. (I do now get a very few from Sears. Their number is printed on their receipts.) This isn't the major issue. The wong number has been corrected. 2. Starpower Now, most of the calls are from people who don't read their cards. I called the "Power Pass" Company and they told me it isn't their responsibility the stupid people don't read the card right. 3. Starpower "Power Pass" is like a "Rewards Card" Kind of like a Casino Card, the more you use it the more rewards you are given from the store that supplies it. Keeps them coming back to collect the reward. (See Power Pass or PowerPass.net for info about the card or Power Pass Videos) 4. Skip, Power Pass would love for me to give up my number, I had it years before them. They already told me, if I didn't like the calls get rid of the number. :( POWER PASS is the big guy bullying the little fish. (I am in no way related to Power Pass.) I was thinking, of a MAGIC PASS. Since now most of the cards are from dumb people not reading the cards, and offer them a discount pass for a Children's Magic Show. Unfortunately, I can't perform because the caller most likely is from another state. like 1,000+ miles away. I'm still searching for a solution and nor POWER PASS will not buy my number.
Dennis Michael
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
I still say sue the buggers! Send a summary to Judge Judy...maybe you can get some TV exposure out of it! And I hear that Judge Judy hates Sears! :o)
Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
My number used to be one off from the hospital. People would call at all hours asking for patient information. I took to telling them I had nobody by that name admitted, and a time or two I said they had expired! Oaky, it's in poor taste, but I did it.
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WolfgangWollet Loyal user 209 Posts |
Why not sell the number to the power pass people. If they want it bad enough they might put up a nice amount. Part of the sale agreement would be that they have to furnish you with a new 1-800 number....
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chichi711 Inner circle 5810 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-01-13 11:12, WolfgangWollet wrote: probably the best you could unfortunatly. |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
It would be nice, and a lot of work to change all that has been printed.
There are no 800 numbers left, and this company is appears to "arrogrant" to pay based on their disregard for people who dial wrong numbers.
Dennis Michael
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