Porsche selling data for marketing purposes?

[pikey]

Had a call last night on my private, unlisted, 'never any marketing calls ever' number.

Was some marketing company wanting to know "my opinions on how I chose a type of prestige car".

I asked how they knew I had a prestige car. "Porsche told us you bought new from them this year."

!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd spend effort complaining to the data protection registrar and Porsche if it would make a blind bit of difference.

[Dr S]

I'd tell them off big time. Selling us "premium" cars (at hefty premiums) makes them already the most profitable car company in the world. They don't need to make negligible extra cash from selling personal data...

[DanH]

Register with the telephone preference service. Then theoretically you can't get hassled by UK companies.

[housemaster]

I am TPS registered and unlisted and I also got the call. When I asked who had given them my number they told me "we can't tell you that until you answer our questions". I told them to go forth and multiply and her closing comment as I put the phone down was "it was a prestige German car maker..." followed by a click as my phone went down!

[finchy]

Interesting topic, does sound like a breach of Data Protection laws if this comany is a 3rd party? When you buy the car is the contract with Porsche or the franchise that runs the dealership?

Would have thought they need to state in T&C's when you buy the car that
your details will be supllied to a 3rd party, didnt think companies could do this without your permission or at least making clear in T&C's

[Finn997]

Just a thought but did you finance your car? OPC can not sell your details to a 3rd party without your permission but that doesn't mean a finance company didn't (and they would have all your details and know about the car obviously...). Check your financing paperwork as it could be in there.

Not sure what the case is if you finance through Porsche as Porsche Financial Services is also an independently run company.

Just a thought.

[pikey]

housemaster said:

I am TPS registered and unlisted and I also got the call. When I asked who had given them my number they told me "we can't tell you that until you answer our questions". I told them to go forth and multiply and her closing comment as I put the phone down was "it was a prestige German car maker..." followed by a click as my phone went down!

Interesting you also got it - sounds like they were doing the rounds. A few complaints may get noticed.

I am also TPS registered and never give this phone number out. Porsche dealer had it for contact purposes (calling me back, etc) when the purchase was going through.

[domster]

Legally, Porsche can only use that number for contacting you re the car or for their own marketing purposes (buying a Porsche is expressing an interest in their products and so they can reasonably contact you about some more, unless you specifically opt out)... But it goes against the Data Protection Act to let a 3rd party use this info for their use. You need to OPT IN for these kind of communications.

[lightweight]

I think you will probably find that the 3rd party was acting for Porsche so no breach of data protection would have occured as you are a customer and the reaserch was for porsche GB.
On the second issue The problem is that if they tell you who the reaserch is for it preduices your answers, if you only own one german car its obvious anyway. As a marketier you would weight the sample from your customer data to get a good cross section of your base.

[mbutchers]

I too had the call, and it was indeed a company acting on Porsche's behalf. I had nothing better to do, so took the call. It seemed to be predominantly based around the topic of SUV's..... Just what we all need.....!