Dell rang me with an offer on extending the guarantee on a pc. It was a pretty good one too, but it related to my dad’s computer, who was making his lunch so he said he’d think about it.

I figured the guy calling worked on commission so I asked him if we could call back and talk to him. he said that wasn’t possible because he was in a call centre.

So, I asked him if he’d call back. He said he would, and asked what time would be good. When I put this question to my father, he decided to hell with it, he’d just get it.

So, I gave the sales guy the credit card details - whereupon he advised me that we would receive paperwork during the week and then gave me a phone number and his name, in case we needed any further info before the paperwork arrived. Let’s call him Mark.

I couldn’t believe my ears.

‘I asked you two minutes ago could I call you and you said no.’
‘…yes.’
‘But now you give me a number to contact you.’
‘uh… it’s not a direct dial number..’
‘I didn’t need a direct dial number, I just needed a way to contact you…’
‘well, it’s not a direct dial number, it’s just a number for, uh, in case you want to cancel or anything.It’s not a number for me..’
‘Is your name Mark?’
‘yes’
‘What do I need your name for if I can’t contact you on this number?’
‘Well it’s not a direct dial number…’
‘Ok, Mark, now you’re just talking bollocks to me, but I’ve bought it now, so forget it.’
‘heh… uh, thanks.’
‘yeah, THANKS Mark.’