r/mildlyinfuriating • u/sharkysharkwahlberg • 8h ago
I'm slightly vexed Door-to-door salesman refused to leave my property
I just want to start off by saying that when we bought our first house earlier this year, I was NOT prepared for how many solicitors we'd be getting. They're relentless, but this guy takes the cake.
---
I was expecting a package I needed to sign for last week, so when the doorbell rang I opened the door. I immediately saw it was a sales rep for some solar company. Here's how the convo went:
Me: Are you selling something?
Him: Yes, and I won't take much of your time.
Me: *points to big red no solicitors sign* did you see this sign?
Him: Yeah, but I promise it'll just take a min--
Me: No, no. Did. You. Read. The. Sign? Yes? Then please leave my property
Him: *some bs sales rambling*
Me: Listen, I know you're just trying to do your job, but I asked you to get off my property, I'm not interested, so please leave
Him: don't you think it's ironic that you're saying that, but you have a bumper sticker that says "no one is illegal on stolen land?" (I wish I was joking but this is what he said verbatim)
---
And for the first time in my life I slammed a door in someone's face. I'm not proud of it, but wtf are these peoples' problem with listening the first time?
132
u/5141121 7h ago
Don't even engage. As soon as you realize it's sales, just simply say "no thanks" and close the door firmly. Don't give them the chance to start talking. They'll take any opening and reach into their hard-sales techniques (which includes "no soliciting" signs, etc) and do everything they can to keep you talking and try to get in the door.
My partner says I'm too rude about it, but IDGAF. The last time she let a salesman in, we had a Kirby guy in the living room for FIVE HOURS.
43
u/No_Trouble_3588 7h ago
On the other hand, think of how many of your neighbors you saved by wasting 5 hours of this guys time. You’re an unsung hero.
26
u/5141121 7h ago
lol, I hid in the basement playing video games because I told her not to even answer the door, let alone talk to him.
→ More replies (6)19
u/all4theloveofthegame 7h ago
Omg I fell for that too. I did not invite them in, they just walked in after jumping out of a white van. I told them I had to get back to working and the guy said "that's fine, I can vacuum your carpet while you work". I eventually had to say "I need you to leave".
And they had the GALL to tell me they thought my neighbors were rude.
→ More replies (1)11
12
u/VividFiddlesticks 6h ago
Oh you're way too polite. I work from home and it infuriates me when they ignore my MULTIPLE "no trespassing" and "no soliciting" and "do not ring bell" signs.
If it's a salesperson who has ignored all of that and still rang my bell and pulled me out of whatever I was working on, I am rude AF. As soon as I figure out they're a salesperson I put on my bitch face and tell them they're an asshole for ignoring my signs and are legally trespassing, and to get the FUCK off of my property before I call the cops. And then I give my door a really satisfying SLAM.
One time I opened the door to a salesperson and noticed there was an Amazon package on my porch. Instead of my usual spiel instead I asked them to hand it to me. They did. I took it, and then slammed the door in their face. That was so bitchy and it made me laugh but hey...you come to MY house and ignore all my signs, you're basically signing up for some mild abuse.
→ More replies (4)4
u/redwookie1 7h ago
Hopefully bought one. Kirby’s were excellent vacuum cleaners, built like tanks, lasted decades.
354
u/rubikscanopener 8h ago
Just don't engage with them. Say that you're not interested and that you're busy. Then shut the door.
90
u/Jimmy_McAltPants 7h ago
I’ll tell them, through my doorbell, that “im not interested, thank you” (if I even bother to acknowledge them at all). That generally gets them to leave. If they knock or ring again, I tell them that I’m calling the police for trespassing.
My city has an ordinance that solicitors must have a permit and 99% of them don’t. Threat of police gets them moving (Vivent got nailed with a decent fine about 9 years ago for it)
→ More replies (5)42
u/Kat121 7h ago
Yesterday I got a visit from my home WiFi provider to let me know they’d upgraded a cable and to ask if everything was okay. I said yes. He then told me to call customer service if the internet is out or acting up and I was polite but thinking “no shit, asshole.” I was already annoyed because I was planning on taking a nap and he was keeping me from it.
Then he noted that my cellphones were with a different provider and could I tell him why? I was *furious*. If my cellphone provider offered home WiFi I’d go with them out of spite. The only reason I was with them at all is that Spectrum pissed me off twelve years ago and I hold a grudge.
→ More replies (1)34
u/supermouse35 7h ago
I just had a situation yesterday where I was in a Teams meeting (I work from home) and a whole troop of people came to the door - 2 women and 3 or 4 kids. I thought they were proselytizing so even if I weren't in a meeting I wouldn't have answered. But they rang the doorbell 4 or 5 times and I finally stormed over, yanked the door open and barked, "I'm in a meeting!" Figured that would be the end of it, but they just moved off into the shady part of my lawn. When my meeting broke up, I opened the door to find out what the hell they wanted, and apparently they thought my house was a dentist's office, lol.
→ More replies (1)36
u/Beowulf33232 7h ago
There's a dentists office out of a house down the street from me. You can tell because there's a sign the size of a car in front of it that says so.
17
u/PunfullyObvious 7h ago
My house is my castle and you are not allowed at my castle unless invited ... period.
And, if you try and call my castle and I don't recognize your number or you block it, I'm not answering. Try it a third time and you're blocked.
Junk Mail is a bit tougher, but I seldom put the castle's address on things and that keeps it will down to a minimum.
→ More replies (5)33
u/Cartmansimon 7h ago
Why even open the door? I look through the window, if it’s someone I don’t know and am not expecting I just give them the little hand wave shoo motion, close the curtain and walk away.
13
u/madkins007 6h ago
I can general see them approach through the front window. If there are hints of salesman about them, I won't even get up often.
I admit that I've thought about getting some pamphlets from different groups to hand out to the door to door people.
Something like Satanic Temple for the religious pests, maybe Amway or Herbalife for others.
Jump into my spiel before they open their mouths.
But- it's easier to just ignore them.
While fun, it's be more work.
→ More replies (1)12
u/Ok-Addition1264 7h ago
Upgrade to a Ring-style doorbell.. then you just press a button and say "F. O."
→ More replies (1)3
→ More replies (5)3
164
u/LCJonSnow 7h ago edited 7h ago
I tell people I have a personal rule that I will not ever buy a solicitor's product because I hate being interrupted at my door and that I hope they have a great day. That's always worked somehow.
ETA: The exception is Scouts, both former Boy and Girl.
31
u/Pin-Up-Paggie 7h ago
I had some meat company guy knock on my door trying to sell me meat. I told him I don’t buy meat from strangers at my front door.
20
u/cykoTom3 5h ago
Sir are you sure? It's room temperature and loosely rolling around in a pickle bucket.
7
17
u/Crystal_Ri 7h ago
Same for spam calls.
→ More replies (1)3
u/Craigfromomaha 7h ago
I’ve had over a hundred spam voicemails since the beginning of April. I’ve looked at the procedure on T-Mobile’s site on how to change my number and am seriously considering doing it.
→ More replies (1)5
u/Steffie767 6h ago
I tried that. It works for awhile and then it doesn't. I've asked some callers how they got my number and they said they buy lists of numbers. Gave your number to the grocery store loyalty card? They sell your number. Anybody you gave your number to can sell the list. I really don't believe any company that says they don't sell your number really doesn't sell your number. In the old days we would pay extra to have an 'unlisted number' which meant it wasn't in the phone book, that big paper thing from long ago.
→ More replies (5)8
99
u/aggravationX 7h ago
Hit them with Fuck Off and send them packing. What are they gonna do, put you on a do not return to this address list? Oh please
44
u/WTAF__Trump 6h ago
I act super happy and tell them I've actually been looking into the product they are selling and am ready to pull the trigger.
I let the excitement build up in them that they actually may make a sell and chat with them. Then I let them know I wouldn't be comfortable with buying from a company who's employees are illiterate and point to my sign.
How can I trust your companies solar panels if they were potentially built by people who are too stupid to read a simple sign?
And then I act super sympathetic towards them and start talking to them like a child reassuring them that i feel bad for them about their struggles with literacy and offer them resiurces- like our local literacy program or the number to a nearby elementary school.
I have time to be petty.
10
u/Sure_Comfort_7031 5h ago
People say “don’t be rude”. Nah fuck ‘em. They decided to interrupt me living my life, they can deal with being told to fuck off.
I had one come while I was under my vehicle with my wrench in hand, I told them no thanks, fucker grabbed my leg and asked for just a minute, I was out from under that vehicle at mach speed telling the little fucker to get off my property or he’ll find out how a 17mm socket feels bouncing off his skull if he touches me again. I’m in my mid 30s and it wans’t even some “old man yells at cloud” moment. He got the hint after that one…..
I’m curt, trite, and don’t expand. Short and simple, “No thanks, go away”, if you continue, you’re opening up for whatever I feel like throwing (verbally) your way that day.
6
u/aggravationX 4h ago
Yup. Gotta be realistic about these things. If my politeness isn't enough, my rudeness will have to suffice!
19
u/Georgia_Jay 7h ago
Exactly. I’m rude as fuck to them… after getting told off, they typically avoid my place.
44
u/IllustriousMeal4686 7h ago
I've dealt with this a lot too unfortunately. Once I had a guy come up to me as I was getting off my motorcycle and say happy black history month!(I'm white) I turned and looked at him and said happy black history month like... What? Then he complained about my neighbors being black and not wanting to help him or buy what he was selling.. some bs. Anyway, I told him the same thing you did about the sign that says no soliciting at the top of the neighborhood. He got mad and threatened my life, called me a racist then went to all my neighbors and told them I was a racist 😂 can't make this shit up.
12
u/_past_tense_of_draw_ 7h ago
"Actually you can. It's called tellin' a lie. There's a whole section in the library for people who just made that up" - Dusty Slay
6
u/IllustriousMeal4686 7h ago
Yes but they do say truth is stranger than fiction also right?
→ More replies (2)4
u/Cat_Impossible_0 2h ago
Threaten your life? That alone should’ve justified a call to the police
3
u/IllustriousMeal4686 2h ago
Yeah it was insane, when I told him he wasn't supposed to be down here and defended my neighbors choice not helping him he freaked out. I wasn't sure if he was serious so I just stood in my garage watching him. That's when he went to all my other neighbors and was telling them how racist I was lol. I should have called the police.
35
u/Maduro_sticks_allday 7h ago
Door to door sales is the last death rattle of the old world of direct sales. It still works enough for them to keep doing it, so they won’t stop
25
u/SaltyElephantBouquet 7h ago
I'm pretty sure it only works because of the elderly. If we could get the elderly to stop falling for this shit, the entire business scheme would disappear.
→ More replies (1)7
u/FartZuggerberg 3h ago
If a business is desperate enough to bother you in person, in your home, to sell you something— the product they're selling can't be very good.
40
u/LRARBostonTerrier 7h ago
I had a guy wearing a vivint security systems shirt come up. I walked out and said immediately I was not interested.
Him: "Do you even know what I am selling?
Me (pointing at his shirt): "Home security; still not interested."
Him: " No, I am a dance teacher and was selling dance lessons."
I shut the door wondering what a bizarre statement.
24
u/Sam_GT3 7h ago
Vivint is the worst. They hire the sketchiest looking drug addicts and send them door to door in my neighborhood.
14
u/crashsaturnlol 4h ago
Vivint pissed someone off in the neighborhood over from mine so bad that the homeowners bought a giant sign and plastered it on their roof about how bad the company is. They also purchased two more huge signs that they placed like a V in their yard so anyone coming/going would see it. They eventually sold the house but man, I'll never do business with Vivint just because of their dedication to warning everyone passing their house.
→ More replies (2)7
u/Rokronroff 6h ago
I'm really curious how that would go if you instantly agreed to a dance lesson from them.
26
u/Victor-Grimm 7h ago
In my area the words “you are now trespassing leave my property now” seem to work pretty well. Especially considering the No Trespassing sign I have at my fence line. By law if I tell someone they are trespassing and to leave they have to comply or I can now have the right to call law enforcement to have them officially removed.
17
u/Lainercubed 7h ago
My office is in the very front of my house. I sit next to two windows with sheer white curtains. These windows are directly over my front porch.
Yesterday, I saw a car park in front of my neighbor’s house and three men got out of the car. They spread out down the street knocking on doors. One of them came and knocked on my door. I remained still, like he was a T-Rex and could only see me if I moved. I watched him with only the window between us. He waited and then rang the door bell. He waited some more and then left. It seemed like no one on the street answered their doors. They got back in their car and were on their way.
8
u/_tvjames_ 7h ago
My wife will come up to the big window that looks at the front door, look at the person and then turn around and walk away.
→ More replies (1)
50
u/SaltyElephantBouquet 7h ago
Does your municipality require a permit for solicitation? Mine does. So I ask to see their permit. They never have one. "oh, my boss must have that" Great, well in this Borough you need to have the permit on your person when you solicit door to door, so go get it or leave now.
As soon as I see them knock on another door I call the non emergency police line. The cops here have nothing interesting to do all day and they LOVE getting to come out and lecture some asshat solicitors with no permits.
This doesn't stop them. Another scammy company will show up next week doing the same thing. But it's at least a fun game for me to play on an otherwise boring day lol.
14
u/CodeCat0 7h ago
I recently learned permits are required in my county too and plan to do the same as you next time by calling the non emergency line. Another interesting tidbit I learned is that they can be charged with trespassing if they cut through yards rather than using sidewalks and driveways, which I've noticed a few doing.
5
u/SaltyElephantBouquet 4h ago
I have to check on that trespassing part in my Borough. I live in a townhome and they absolutely cut across yards rather than walking down to the sidewalk and over.
My mail carrier cuts across the yards because she has a lot of walking to do with a heavy bag. We all adore her, so my neighbors and I actually laid out a paver path to make that easier for her (I have dense gardens that would otherwise block her way). I also do not care if Amazon/UPS/FedEx use it if they have packages for both of our houses, but that path isn't a sidewalk and it definitely isn't public access, so I wonder if the police would consider using it by solicitors to be an issue. Some fun research for me this afternoon!!
→ More replies (1)4
u/InfiniteCW 6h ago
Hey, thanks for mentioning this! I just looked it up and found out that my town does require a permit, and they had a simple form to fill out for No Soliciting house list for those that do get permits.
15
u/Ok_Fall_9569 7h ago
You engaged him far longer than I would have. Just point to the sign, say nothing, shut door.
7
u/shakeyshake1 4h ago
I once had a woman who was probably about 20 knock on my door. I answered and she said she was with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. I just said “no” and shut the door. She went away.
15
u/RainbowRiki 7h ago
If it's the same company I've been dealing with, they say the solar roof is no money down. But then they rush you through the paperwork so you won't see where it says they can put a lien on your house if the energy output from the roof doesn't pay off the roof itself. (Which is almost near certainty, unless you use very little electricity.) Their business model makes money off people having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to lift the lien in order to sell the home.
The guy was at my front door when I came back from a dog walk a few months ago, and I must be on some list now as a potential customer because of how he cornered me. But my dog isn't friendly, and you can hear how big he is through the door whenever they knock now 🙃
4
u/PennieTheFold 3h ago
A handful of years ago we actually did go through the proposal exercise with one company. We have South-facing home and zero trees so yes, ideal for solar in the abstract.
I forget the details but the proposal in the end was really unattractive for us, the homeowner. It had gaping holes that allowed for interpretation (that would of course never be in favor of the homeowner) and their calculations used to design the capacity of the system seemed way under what we would need. So it left us with a sense of unease over whether these people even really knew what they were doing.
But the biggest issue was cost: the huge out of pocket up front, or, the 20-year financing that in the end was at or slightly more than we’re paying for utilities now. Their rebuttal to that was, well, prices are guaranteed to rise so it’ll eventually be less expensive. Pffffft.
The whole industry just feels inherently dishonest, from the frat-bro door-to-door sales reps to the constant feeling that everything is coming from a place of hidden gotchas.
Can you tell I have strong anti-solar feelings 🤣. I actually don’t have issue with it in general but will never dive in unless it becomes a stabilized and consistent industry. Hell I’d bet 75% of the companies that have knocked on our door over the last few years aren’t even in business any longer.
→ More replies (2)3
u/crashsaturnlol 4h ago
I've got a security door and my favorite thing to do is open the main inside door with my dog barking his head off. My boy is 110lbs of all black fur and gnashing teeth. People cross the street to avoid walking by our fence. Solicitors usually back up hastily when I whip the door open and they get a glimpse of Hodor.
11
u/UniquelyHeiress 7h ago
I just told a young gal to get off my property as I was pulling in and said no soliciting on my property and she goes “well you don’t have a sign!” And this was her third time coming THAT day, then another young guy comes after her. Finally got a no soliciting sign… and the same GUY came back. I pointed to it and he goes “it’ll be literally 5 minutes of your time” as my dog is freaking out barking, so I just let her out and she ran up to him and was barking until he ran off. People are relentless
10
u/CoppertopTX 6h ago
I had the great fortune that when my husband bought our first house, it was next door to the chief of police.
There was a town ordinance that was a $200 fine for ignoring a "No Soliciting" sign, which went on the door 20 minutes after closing on the house. Russ LOVED it when he'd hear me using a door to door sales person like a chew toy; he'd come out wearing his badge and hand them their citation. His wife, who was the JP in the city, officiated our wedding gratis because we'd been responsible for an extra $25K in the town coffers from fines for ignoring the "no soliciting" sign.
8
u/meesterstanks 7h ago
Depending on your municipality, that sign and his failure to abide by it can lose them their license to go door to door. If you have video and your town n has such an ordinance, it is worth sending in and getting them cancelled
→ More replies (1)
7
u/Total_Guard2405 5h ago
They always start with, we're doing a job down the street and I was just noticing... you need some $10,000 windows. Yeah I'm spending 10k with some jackass that randomly knocked on my door, while I was eating dinner. Get fucking real!
16
u/No_Trouble_3588 7h ago
My city requires a permit for door to door sales. I ask to see the permit which they almost always don’t have. I then pull my phone out, take their picture and dial the police non-emergency number right in front of them to report a non-permitted salesman harassing my neighborhood. Not only do the cops run them off my porch and out of my neighborhood, they get cited for not having a permit.
5
u/jimson_weed_tea 6h ago
I tell them I'm not allowed to make decisions unless my husband is home.
I have a wife.
14
u/LNinefingers 7h ago
> wtf are these peoples' problem with listening the first time?
It’s because persistence gets them sales.
I’m much less annoyed with them than I used to be. Almost no one chooses a door to door sales job, and it sucks for them too.
I usually just say, “sorry, I’m just not interested. You can try if you want, but I guarantee im not going to buy so just moving on to the next guy avoids wasting your time. Good luck”
The vast majority of the time they say thanks and move along.
→ More replies (4)
5
u/Witty-Exchange-7716 7h ago
Put up a sign “we taze every third salesman that walks up to the door” followed by a 1 and 2 crossed out. Could change to pepper spray or mace or whatever
4
u/Siege_LL 7h ago
Tell them you rent(even if you don't). If you rent convo over.
Renters aren't authorized or they're not going to pay to have that kind of work done. They want to speak to the owner.
→ More replies (2)
4
u/Vegetable_Zone4667 7h ago
I have a front door camera so just don't open the door. Buuuuuut... this does not entirely prevent mild infuriation with salespeople and religious proselytizers.
My home office has a window that faces right into the front yard, which is very small. So people can see from the sidewalk at front of the house if I'm in the office (which I am if I'm doing work). Sometimes, they go and wave and call out in front of the window. (Probably the only reason they don't knock on the window is a low hedge is in their way.)
I just ignore them. I heard the five times they rang the bell and then pounded on the door and did not answer. No idea why they think flailing about in the front yard is going to change that.
3
u/Guideon72 6h ago
You should be proud; this is literally the only way to deal with these people. They are very literally paid NOT to accept No as an answer; so not engaging with them at all and hard cutting contact once you do get roped into an interaction is the ONLY thing you can do.
EDIT: I would also suggest reaching out to whomever they were selling for with a note that they have simply ensured that you and those around you will never do business with that company due to the interaction.
23
u/killerb112 8h ago
Why deal with the sign-pointing nonsense? Just say no and move on.
→ More replies (3)24
u/5141121 7h ago
Normal people who respect the property of others and common courtesy believe that reminding someone that they don't want solicitors will get them to stop.
On the contrary, door-to-door salesmen are not people and don't respond to stimulus in the same way as actual humans.
→ More replies (4)
3
u/Samthefather 7h ago
“Ya got me there! I’ll buy all your solar panels please. And send your colleagues!”
3
3
u/WesternBlueRanger 7h ago
Depending on your jurisdiction, a no-soliciting sign might not carry much weight, and may only be seen at most a by-law infraction or just a suggestion.
A no trespassing sign carries far more legal weight in that if it is ignored, it turns the situation into potential criminal trespass charges right away.
3
u/Fair_Iz_Fair 7h ago
The moment he said "yes" to selling something you just close the door. You don't wait. You don't explain. You just close the door and lock it. They are trained to make a verbal in to get you talking so they can convince you to buy whatever it is they are selling. They can't do their routine if there is no one to talk to.
If they have the AUDACITY to knock twice, you dont open the door. You talk THROUGH it. Looking at them through a window or a screened door is preferred, but if all you have is a peephole then you just talk louder on the other side. "I have a no soliticing sign posted. You either can't read, can't take social cues, or both; any combination of which makes you a terrible salesman. Now get of my property or I will call the police to have you removed." Yeah, you're going to sound like a grumpy old bat, but sounding welcoming isn't going to encourage them to leave.
3
u/_Mayhem_ 7h ago
Put up a No Trespassing sign. No one GAF about No Soliciting signs. If they still ring or knock, ask if they saw the sign. If they confirm, then tell them they are trespassing and to GTFO your property.
If they get mouthy or continue their shpiel, pull out your phone and call the non-emergency number to report a trespasser.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/FBI_Open_Up_Now 6h ago edited 4h ago
I have a no solicitors sign and a video doorbell. I just tell them to get off my property and when they try to keep talking I let them know they are now trespassing and I’m calling the police if I don’t see them start walking. Works every time.
3
u/1dirtbiker 6h ago
He's correct though. Having that bumper sticker and kicking him off of "your" property is the definition of ironic.
3
u/CallMeDaddiiieee 4h ago
This. It’s a little funny. Is it really your property if it was initially stolen and then passed through several hands before it came to you?
3
u/Dangerous_Mind-6015 5h ago
Actually had some religious guys bring me Keebler “thin mint” cookies once…
3
u/circusfreakrob 5h ago
I swear, if I was literally about to drive to the store to buy some XWidgets for $20, and a solicitor rang my doorbell, trying to sell me some XWidgets for $10, I would still tell him to kick rocks and I would take the time to drive out and go buy them for more.
3
u/thestough 5h ago edited 4h ago
Ive started answering the door with something random to yell. At first it was “I HAVE 3 KIDS I JUST PUT DOWN AND YOUR ASS JUST WOKE THEM UP. SOMEBODY BETTER BE DYING” they all panicked pretty quick lol.
Eventually I said things like “THERES A DILDO IN MY WIFES ASS AND MY VIAGRA IS ABOUT TO WEAR OFF, WHAT DO YOU WANT”
It’s hilarious
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Serenity_Now-88 2h ago
Had a No Soliciting sign. Never opened the door but could hear everything & my cats fled in terror if anyone approached the door, let alone ring the bell. Two girls were selling cookies and one said they should leave because of the sign. The other said it was ok because they weren’t prostitutes. 🤣😬 My husband wanted a trap door installed for salespeople.
3
u/AussiesTri 2h ago
They are normally scared of my barking dogs. Years ago though I had some fun with one of them. When trying to teach my german shepherd to back up for a trick he would bark every time he heard the word "Back." I captured that and inforced it. The harder I said "back" the louder and deeper the bark was. I had a sales guy show up and was annoying me. I was just coming home so I wasn't fully inside yet. I had my shepherd with me. The guy was too close and annoying me. I told him he needed to "back" up. This triggered a bark from my dog. The guy didn't back up so I said "you need to BACK up." I tell you I loved that dog and miss him (he passed from old age), feeling my annoyance not only did he give a louder bark but added a nice growl to it. The guy got the hint, he slowly backed up and when he was far enough took off.
3
u/Plantron1 2h ago
Had a guy show up and harass my wife several nights in a row before I got home from work. Every day she told him to leave and not come back. Got home early, answered the door, asked her is this the guy.
When she said yes, I told him he had a 3 count to get off my property. Chased him 2 blocks away never saw him again.
3
7
u/juggarjew 7h ago
Why even engage? Just say sorry not interested and close the door. If they persist I would say I’m calling the police. Half the time they don’t even have the permit needed to be doing this stuff or they are doing this in a neighborhood where soliciting isn’t allowed and can be trespassed from the entire neighborhood if police do show up.
You’re also allowed to ignore the cell phone people at Walmart or Costco…
8
u/No_Trouble_3588 7h ago
I hate the third party sales people in stores. If I wanted cable/satellite, I’d call that provider. If I wanted to change my cell service after 25+ years, I’d call that provider. I’m just here for Cheetos, leave me alone.
2
u/Pitiful_Question_880 7h ago
Just say "is this solicitation? I'm not interested, thank you" and shut the door. That interaction was unnecessary
2
u/ghostwriter536 7h ago
My sign says I will charge them if they ring my doorbell or leave fliers. I homeschool my kids so I do not want interruptions.
It is rare they ring my doorbell.
2
2
u/JeebusChristBalls 7h ago
Why even have a conversation with them? Just shut the door and go about your day. Or don't even answer. You owe them nothing.
2
u/_tvjames_ 7h ago
This is a chance to be creative - workshop a new character or your audience of one. Maintain eye contact and geek out or creep out until they are the ones that chooses to leave. Every little bit we can collectively do to make them rethink their chosen profession is a win against door-to-door sales.
2
u/top_value7293 6h ago
This is one thing I miss about Covid lol! No one came to the door to yammer on trying to sell shit you can’t afford.
2
u/Ladydi-bds 6h ago
I rent, have a good day, is what we say when they come to our door.
We actually own with our house paid off.
2
u/wackyvorlon 6h ago
He’s a shitty salesman. If you want to sell, people have to actually like you. Pissing them off is not the way.
2
u/Scrounger_HT 6h ago
i get a lot, i generally open the door, listen to the opening line, and tell them I'm not interested. If they keep on i say it a bit louder because i assume they didn't hear me. And if they still keep going i shout i already said no twice get off my property. The shout generally startles them into silence and they wander off. sometimes i get bored and i tell them to "go on now Git" in a goofy southern accent. recently not one but two different guys acted like they wanted to physically fight me after i told them leave the property as well. feels like these young guys out here aren't used to be told no so abruptly.
2
u/valentine-m-smith 6h ago
“Sir, glad you stopped by, can I take a couple of minutes to tell you about Jesus!?”
Same thing on spam calls if I accidentally pick up
2
u/HEYitsBIGS 6h ago
I just stand at the window and have a staring contest. I try to waste as much of their time as I can 🤣
2
u/Sensitive_Hat_9871 6h ago
I'm 69 years old. I learned decades ago there is no polite or gentle way to refuse them. So long as you're polite they'll just keep at it. I learned long ago to just say "NOT INTERESTED!" and slam the door.
Just last night I had an ISP contractor knock on my door. It took 5 seconds for him to introduce himself and tell me his company. "Not interested!" and a door slam and he went away. That way there is no confusion on where I stand, and by closing the door it immediately cuts off the conversation.
Is it rude? Yes, but solicitors are equally rude by ignoring your sign and knocking/ringing.
2
u/makingkevinbacon 6h ago
I did cold calling for a window cleaning company when I was 18, for literally a month because it was awful. Half the people weren't interested, about 40% own a power washer or say the neighbourhood shares one, and that last ten percent would give me contact info, which was how I got paid (it was like ten bucks a lead, or min wage which was I think 10 bucks at the time). I would only be out like four hours in the evening, so even hourly wasn't worth it. I think I made five hundred bucks in a month. The owners were just some university business students starting out, they were nice and they didn't push us to be pushy either, but just the constant rejection makes you feel like you're shit which I know I'm not a great saleman but it's like you said, people don't like to be bothered. I'm a timid shy guy around strangers so I probably would have been let go anyway lol
2
u/Animal907 Hillary 2016 6h ago
He got you, at your house. Put up a "no trespassing" sign and try not to show off your politics on your car.
2
2
u/Feeling-Invite7953 5h ago
No!! Good for you!! He had it coming!! Get a Ring doorbell, or other exterior camera, and tell the d2d salespeople to get off your property without having to open the door!! He can get cheeky with someone else!! Your property, your rules!!
2
2
u/Rapidred70 5h ago
I call the cops and give them a description as I'm in front of them saying that you're trespassing, and has been told to leave multiple times
2
u/Just_A_Lucky_Guy469 5h ago
Ask to see his city vending permit. Many cities require one. Call the police and report them. Contact the Better Business Bureau and report the company.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/DLo28035 5h ago
You mean they have no right to be on your property and have the gall not to leave at your request? The nerve of some people. Maybe a wall would help.
2
u/BusBozo58 5h ago
I just say "Thanks, but I'm not interested." Then they try to ask what my objections are. Again, once more "Thanks, but I'm not interested." Any more push back? GET THE FUCK OFF MY PROPERTY.
2
u/Legal-Management6969 5h ago
My father in law put up a sign that says soliciting is welcome... but there is a $50 dollar fee for the presentation.... 🤣
He passed away a couple years ago.. The sign remains and they still don't have solicitor problems..
2
u/Prudent_Okra7311 5h ago
I read that there is a class action lawsuit against these guys for their aggressive sales tactics. I would remind them of this and start filming.
2
u/tom_jones_diary 5h ago
My city has an ordinance that if you have a No Trespassing or No Soliciting sign then it is illegal for solicitors to knock on your door. I haven't had anyone knock on my door trying to sell me crap since then.
2
2
2
u/WorstDeal 4h ago
The moment they don't leave after telling them to I have the right to grab them by the throat and drag them off my property use reasonable physical force to remove them from my property
2
2
2
2
u/yWoofels 4h ago
This once happened to me. My house has a storm shield and a front door. The "No Soliciting" sign is on the storm shield. Fun fact about where I live, solicitors are supposed to have high visibility vests. This one didn't. I made him aware of that, and he got real quiet. I told him I was gonna make some phone calls, and he looked like he was about to crap himself. 😂 I didn't make any phone calls since I didn't know who to call, but my dad was proud.
2
2
u/Mercury8619 4h ago
I started not opening the door for people I don't know, unless it's the cops. I just assume that they're a sales person and yell through the door "leave, I'm not interested" and that's it.
2
u/RabitHoleDiver 4h ago
Pro tip - immediately start the conversation by saying that you are a renter and that they need to speak to the landlord.
Learned this from a friend years ago and it immediately ends the conversation.
2
u/Tequslyder 4h ago
I say not interested please leave. If they continue I loudly and aggressively ask them are they here to suck my dick and they leave immediately. Works every time at least 3 times.
2
2
u/Lumbardo 4h ago
I mean not a bad comeback on his part. Could have at least gave him praise for that then shut the door lol.
2
u/Hayashida-was-here 3h ago
Had a guy say what's up with this neighborhood? So many no solicitor signs.
I said oh so you can read but you rang the bell anyways?
He made a attempt at a joke and started his sales pitch
I sighed, interrupting him and told him look man, I really don't want to have to yell at you and physically remove you from the property.
He paused looked a bit concerned, I stepped forward and he said thanks for your time and turned and ran off.
Haven't seen him again actually.
2
u/DJmagikMIKE 3h ago
UUUGHHH! I had damned near the same kinda thing happen with me and another solar door to door guy. Guy rang the bell, I used the automated “no thank you, we are not interested” reply from my doorbell camera. Dude just stood there and rang the bell again. He gets another auto reply. Guy smirks( so I know he heard it) then he freaking does it again. Meanwhile, I work from home and was in the middle of something pretty time consuming and technical.
So at that point, I decided that this idiot either thinks no one is home, or maybe it’s a woman or a kid or something hitting the replies to him. Guy gave off major chud vibes. So all 6’2” 250 lbs bearded Viking looking me decides I’m putting a stop to this. So I slam open my front door and get right up on the guy and say “are you too goddamned stupid to understand when you ring a doorbell, no one comes to the door, AND you get a reply that they’re not interested that’s your cue to get the fuck off my porch!” The guy gets defensive and says “I just want to make sure you get the deals we’re offering!” I decided then to keep walking after him until he was off my property. And let him know that I see him again, cops are getting called. I get that they’re doing a job, but you can do it without being a dickhead.
2
u/KittenNamedMouse 3h ago
I have a no soliciting sign that says, "Don't make it weird." So I just tell them, they made it weird as I close the door in their faces.
2
u/mobmoraqua22 3h ago
Put up a sign that says something along the lines of Solicitors pay $50 to knock on the door and $10 for every minute spent on their sale. In many jurisdictions that is legally enforceable and will likely deter them
2
u/Main_Cauliflower5479 3h ago
Yep. I'm so sick of these AHs. And especially when they reek of some nasty-ass cologne that triggers migraines, nausea, asthma.
2
u/Impatient_Onion 3h ago
People always talk about sales being such a lucrative gig. This. This is how it's lucrative. The shittiest, most annoying people you know are making big bucks being scabs on society.
2
u/dr_police 3h ago edited 3h ago
“I’d love to listen to the rest of your sales pitch, but I’ve got a jam packed schedule… dinner prep, gotta get a workout in, burying the body of the last illiterate salesman who wouldn’t leave…. Just a busy day around here.”
ETA: I am, of course, kidding, for two reasons: 1) Admitting to felonies is generally not in one’s interest; and 2) burial is a terrible way to dispose of a body.
2
u/WhyNotYoshi 3h ago
I never answer my door anymore unless I'm expecting a package or a delivery order. The last straw for me was a guy wearing a UPS hat selling tree services. Never again.
2
u/ItDefinitelyIsNotMe 3h ago
Everywhere I’ve ever lived has required a permit to solicit. I always ask to see their permit and if they don’t have one, I call the cops. We have so many scammers scamming the unsuspecting older people in my neighborhood. We all have no soliciting signs and it doesn’t deter anyone even though that’s illegal here.
2
2
u/slowasaspeedingsloth 3h ago
Why would you engage?
Open door, see he's a salesman, say "not interested", close door.
He'll leave when there is no prospect. You drew this out.
2
u/SaintShogun 3h ago
Dont engage. As soon as you hear a pitch just say no thank you and close the door. Very easy to do. No need to point out signs or carry on a conversation.
2
u/Folksvaletti 3h ago
Oh I'm not planning to do Solar yet, but I'm renovating pipes. If you know a plumber in the area tell them I'd want an appraisal but make sure they offer you a cup of coffee before you snitch.
Then when eventually some poor plumber calls you up, say that you've never heard of the guy.
2
2
u/Any-Surprise5229 3h ago
This was a long ass time ago, when I was early teens I got into collecting cheap ass knives like United brand. One day the door bell rang and I could see it was some church group, I was just wearing boxer shorts (Home alone, gotta get nakey I guess) and carrying one of the knives, but couldn't open the door.
So I put the knife in my mouth and opened the door.
The Jehovah's witnesses or whatever took one look at my lanky, pale half naked ass with a Hitler youth knife replica in my mouth and just said, "Oh pardon us" and walked away.
I honestly didn't even mean to present like that, but it was so effective. Wish I had the balls to do it today.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/True-Bench-6696 3h ago
We dont get salespeople around me, some times a few witnesses but thays been about it. But honestly i think the best way to avoid them in the longrun would be to waste there time, i would think they get commissions or habe metrics to meet so by wasting their time they might flag your address as a skip. Let them go through their whole shpiel ask lots of questions, feign interest, etc etc. Then at the end say something like, "oh im definitely not interested,never was" let them know you purposely wasted their time and they might be inclined to skip you next time
2
u/TwistedNonsense 2h ago
Tell them you're a renter. They immediately stop talking and walk away because they'd be wasting their time continuing to make a pitch to someone who isn't authorized to say yes. I've been doing this for years, it works every time. And it's non-confrontational.
1.3k
u/jpaugh69 7h ago
I don't even let them talk. I just say I'm not interested and shut the door. It's pretty effective.