The Call Centre BBC3

[Topbuzz]

I've been in the unfortunate position of working for Nev. Was only for about 18 months but every time I met him or had dealings with him I died a little inside. Never let facts get in the way of bullst must have been his motto.

Edited by Topbuzz on Wednesday 5th June 09:53

[droopsnoot]

I didn't expect to sit through all of this, but I did. I could imagine someone finally losing it and hosing through the place with a gun if this was in the US, but I guess that might say more about me than anyone else. Fun in the workplace is fine, but it gets really, really irritating when you're just trying to get something done and everyone else is just pissing about. Maybe that doesn't matter when the 'get something done' is just finish the phone call and move on to the next one.

I had some sympathy for Nev when he was on 'The One show' the other night, though, he thought they were doing a piece about the program and they wheeled out Angela Rippon who had a go at him about cold-calling and separating the old and vulnerable from their money, though he did point out their stuff was all free. They did an apology the next evening.

[Distant]

I thought it was very entertaining, although I've a feelin I might become bored with it after a couple of episodes.

My favourite part: "Thanks for coming in, You start on Tuesday at 10am. You can go now. Go on, go. Out. OUT! GET OUT!!!!"

[onyx39]

Distant said:

I thought it was very entertaining, although I've a feelin I might become bored with it after a couple of episodes.

My favourite part: "Thanks for coming in, You start on Tuesday at 10am. You can go now. Go on, go. Out. OUT! GET OUT!!!!"

I think it's only three episodes.

[Topbuzz]

droopsnoot said:

though he did point out their stuff was all free.

The free installs were for over 70's and certain benefits when I was involved. Everyone else paid between £49 and £149 depending on the company pricing policy.
Some of the call centre were particularly bad at vetting suitability of customers...

Edited by Topbuzz on Wednesday 5th June 11:12

[jas xjr]

esvcg said:

it's better than I thought, was pretty funny.

However, BBC, you used to make much, much better 'fly on the wall' stuff - The armstrongs double glazing documentry blows this sh#t out of the water, in fact I still rate it higher than The Office, and it's real!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFFy9WHMsZI
1.55 what a great 'talking to'!

at least he was a ph'er . i have bought quite a bit of double glazing from them , it was fine

[Challo]

esvcg said:

it's better than I thought, was pretty funny.

However, BBC, you used to make much, much better 'fly on the wall' stuff - The armstrongs double glazing documentry blows this sh#t out of the water, in fact I still rate it higher than The Office, and it's real!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFFy9WHMsZI
1.55 what a great 'talking to'!

I forgot about that show. Some proper cringe worthy moments, especially involving the wife and there schemes to benefit the staff. The Staff party in the office was brilliant

[theironduke]

jas xjr said:

esvcg said:

it's better than I thought, was pretty funny.

However, BBC, you used to make much, much better 'fly on the wall' stuff - The armstrongs double glazing documentry blows this sh#t out of the water, in fact I still rate it higher than The Office, and it's real!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFFy9WHMsZI
1.55 what a great 'talking to'!

at least he was a ph'er . i have bought quite a bit of double glazing from them , it was fine

Was he a actual PHer?! I remember watching that before I discovered this place! was addictive and I thought the couple were decent enough people, even if they did come out with some cringy stuff!

[andyjo1982]

Anybodys day start today with a rendition of The Killers?

[droopsnoot]

theironduke said:

was addictive and I thought the couple were decent enough people, even if they did come out with some cringy stuff!

I remember this series every time I drive down the M6 though I can't remember whether their sign is still there. Best bit for me (that I can recall, at least) is when he went to France and tried selling some of their stuff to a man who only spoke French, despite speaking only English himself.

[nickfrog]

Yes and unfortunately "Conservatoire" means "music academy" in French. Damn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4HbM3Tz9YQ

[nosmallfiat]

Just watched this. If The Office had been made after this show you would say Gervais/Merchant had based it on it.

The manager had David Brent to an absolute tee, he even came out with some of the same lines.

[Miguel Alvarez]

I only saw a bit. The part where he's talking to that girl about her boyfriend texting another man then walking her around the office asking anyone to date her.

[Silent1]

esvcg said:

it's better than I thought, was pretty funny.

However, BBC, you used to make much, much better 'fly on the wall' stuff - The armstrongs double glazing documentry blows this sh#t out of the water, in fact I still rate it higher than The Office, and it's real!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFFy9WHMsZI
1.55 what a great 'talking to'!

That was definitely the epitome of perfection in the reality tv genre, I forgot he was a PHer though, what was his username?

[gpo746]

Challo said:

I forgot about that show. Some proper cringe worthy moments, especially involving the wife and there schemes to benefit the staff. The Staff party in the office was brilliant

http://u-fit.co.uk/information/meettheteam.asp

did our windows no problems round 6 yrs back in there programme didn't they have a staff walkout who then walked back in

[The Don of Croy]

From what I gather Nev has built a business that employs 700+ in Swansea.

How many other companies have offered so many people jobs in that area over the same period? Given that his company won an award for employee satisfaction, I'd be inclined to give Nev a pretty big slap on the back.

Cold calling may not be everyone's cup of tea, but does it compare with going down the pit, or a shift at the smelter?

[theironduke]

The Don of Croy said:

From what I gather Nev has built a business that employs 700+ in Swansea.

How many other companies have offered so many people jobs in that area over the same period? Given that his company won an award for employee satisfaction, I'd be inclined to give Nev a pretty big slap on the back.

Cold calling may not be everyone's cup of tea, but does it compare with going down the pit, or a shift at the smelter?

I agree. Personally I don't think I could hack it but to create all those jobs in such a struggling area....top bloke! Also he actually seems like a decent bloke too, yes a bit Brent-ish but when he was talking about how his first business went bump I thought it showed he had a human side too; and knows what losing it all feels like.

[egor110]

theironduke said:

The Don of Croy said:

From what I gather Nev has built a business that employs 700+ in Swansea.

How many other companies have offered so many people jobs in that area over the same period? Given that his company won an award for employee satisfaction, I'd be inclined to give Nev a pretty big slap on the back.

Cold calling may not be everyone's cup of tea, but does it compare with going down the pit, or a shift at the smelter?

I agree. Personally I don't think I could hack it but to create all those jobs in such a struggling area....top bloke! Also he actually seems like a decent bloke too, yes a bit Brent-ish but when he was talking about how his first business went bump I thought it showed he had a human side too; and knows what losing it all feels like.

Plus how many bosses even know there employees names like he does.

[anonymous-user]

one word to people championing his business, Yes loans in Newport.

[surveyor]

The Spruce goose said:

one word to people championing his business, Yes loans in Newport.

Was that him?

I don't particularly care for what he does, but he clearly see's motivating his staff to be a key requirement and seems to do it well, although it's easy to see him in trouble for pushing the wrong person too hard.