[Blast Away]

Had a call from a guy called Dan offering to sell his contacts of customers he's done in Greater Manchester. He sounded like he was trying to speak the local accent and slips of Australian were coming out.
Said he had 400-500 contacts he's looking to sell off as he's looking to set up something else.

He rang me last week giving me the spiel so I said send me an email with all your details etc as I was on a roof at the time and couldn't be doing with the call. I never received the email but he's just rang again, this time as if he's speaking to me for the first time again and me reminding him he called last week, he said ''oh did you not receive the email''. So he's obviously ringing others.

Has anyone else had a similar call but changing the details in line with your area?

I've never known customers details to be bought for pressure washing etc.

Sounds like he's out to con a few people by giving gathered information.

[Matt Gibson]

Yeah you need to watch out for those Aussies.. 

Haven't had a call like this, but had a call from my mechanic telling me my vans f*cked, then had a call from the hire company telling me the scissor lift I hired is double booked so I can't have it, then another call from my guy on site sayin the one I got wont go up because it's on a slope. And it's only Monday! 

Oh the joys..

[Blast Away]

I didn't have a good start either. Job booked in for tomorrow and Wednesday cancelled last minute as his boiler had broke so that's his priority with money. Done a couple of quotes today and booked them in, so I've brought jobs forward from the end of this week.

[cml]

You may want to stay clear.  Most reputable companies will sell valuable database through the appropriate channels to get the best offer for such databases if they are that good.  This does not mean that his list is not genuine but his method for dispensing with it is questionable.

[mike roberts]

May be legit, we took on a large driveway from another cleaning company as they were moving into Building cleaning only - from that single job we also had their database for reg customers pwashing for a price.
Personally I would not sell database thro another company just to get the highest price, I would want it to go to a company I knew trusted. They are my loyal customers hence reason - As oposed to selling for higher price to any old 'outfit'. maybe he has heard locally of your rep hence the approach 

Dont see how it can be a con ? Arrange for a meet plus sample database - what have you got to lose..

My partner is Australian... ocasionally i speak with a 'twang' dont hold it against me  

[Matt Gibson]

Bloody oath!!

[mike roberts]

and your based where 

[Blast Away]

and your based where 

He's lived in London and now Glasgow, I think he may have lost his accent. 

[Matt Gibson]

Lost my mind more like it 

Ive still got my accent, I'll never lose it !!

[cml]

Databases are an asset to a business and commands value. 

If you are personally involved or live in an area where you are selling your business you may want to sell it to a company you trust  but generally businesses will try to place a value on their data.  Afterall they worked hard to build it in the first place.  Here you have a guy who has 'cold called' you and called you back sometime later as if it was the first time he had spoken to you.  No doubt you are right to think that he is calling around trying to off load it to whoever.  Dispite his accent which bares no relevance.

In addition there are a lot of small businesses or sole traders out there who are desperate to find a list of names that they can tap into to kick start or expand their business who may fall foul to a list of names that may have no value.

I agree with the previous post you have nothing to loose by asking for further details such as, how he heard of you, how long has he been trading, potential annual turnover, where is he based etc. 
It is reasonable and so easy to become suspicious  when people do not do as they say they will especially when he did  not send you a confirmation email the firsts time at your  request. Therefore you might ask yourself if selling his list of contacts is so important and geniune or just a con.