I was made to feel guilty about cancelling my broadband contract

I loved reading about John Bull’s epic battle to cancel his Virgin Media contract (News, Issue 484). He took it in good humour considering Virgin wasted four hours of his life. I’ve had similar experiences when trying to cancel contracts. What really annoys me is when the salespeople try to persuade you to stay. OK, sometimes you can get a better deal this way, but most people just want to cancel as quickly as possible.

In one case with a nameless internet service provider, the person asked me why I wanted to cancel my

broadband contract. I was taken aback that she should even ask this question. Maybe she was lonely and wanted someone to talk to. Whatever her reason, I told her it was none of her business, although not in a nasty way (I’m not a nasty person, and I’ll punch anyone who disagrees). She took great offence at this - or at least she ‘faked’ great offence. It seemed like she was trying to make me feel guilty for leaving. She even hinted that because I was so “rude” she wouldn’t carry out my cancellation. Was she trying to shame me into renewing? Is this a new persuasion technique they teach salespeople? It’s a form of psychological warfare that I may try the next time my bank charges me for going overdrawn. I wonder if my bank manager would feel guilty?

Anyway, I did eventually cancel, though it took me 10 minutes longer than I wanted. She relented when I said that I would complain about her on Twitter (not that I use it). I recommend that as a silver bullet when you’re struggling to cancel. Gordon Tidy