Phone solicitations from Microsoft?

Question

Earlier this year my company started receiving repeat phone calls from a company claiming to be "calling on behalf of Microsoft." Most of them have come in to our customer service line and they have transferred them over to me. They keep wanting to know what CRM software we are using. When I ask why they need this information they say it is just to fill in some missing information about us in their database.

So far I've been refusing and hanging up. One time I asked what their company name was and they told me but now I don't remember. At the time, I searched on the name they gave me and came up with an article about Microsoft contracting with a new marketing company. I wish I had saved the information to share here.

The calls have now started to slow down. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and can share details. I'd like to put together a complaint to Microsoft if indeed they have hired this company to gather data on their customers.

Thanks.

Answer 1

If they are cold calling, it sounds like spam. I have given MS all kinds of info and they've never called me.

Answer 2

I've had this in the past, the same sort of calls asking about CRM or pushing info on Dynamics. It turned out they weren't really calling on behalf of MS, but they were MS resellers looking for business. I've had the same thing happen once or twice with HP VARs.

Answer 3

When somebody calls me and asks what products I'm using, that's usually the end of the call for me... unless it's a survey. I especially divulge no information to anyone who sounds even remotely connected to Microsoft or any of the big companies that were involved with that BSA crap years ago. I'm not sure if that's still going on.

Anyhow, no salesman needs to start his pitch by asking about what you're currently running. It's just unprofessional. Even if I'm in a legitimate call and am asked what products I use, I don't often give that information unless I'm actually looking to replace something. No good can come of it.

Oh, and FWIW, I've never been cold called by Microsoft. When Microsoft is pushing something, I usually get a call from one (or all) of my sales reps.

Answer 4

It's just a sales call. Apparently MS has contracted this out. They are obviously pushing the MS CRM platform.

Answer 5

Welcome to IT. I get several cold calls a day pushing various software and services. The key is to not answer your phone unless you know the caller ID. I have also configured our voicemail transfer system to prompt for a name before the call is transferred to me so I can screen calls.