Answering a knock at the door

meerkat2007

I have a "No cold callers" sign on the door, and I don't answer the door unless I'm expecting a visitor or a delivery.

The landline is permanently on answerphone: if someone calls while I'm at work, they can leave a message or not; if they call when I'm at home, I have caller display and will answer if the number is programmed into the phone or I recognise it, otherwise it goes to answerphone, and if it's important, they'll leave a message.

Similarly, with the mobile, if the caller's number isn't programmed into the phone, or the number is withheld, the call goes to voicemail, and again, if it's important, they'll leave a message and I can call them back.

patchwork_cat

Amaretti wrote: »

Hahahaha you would need it coming to my address, I operate on a no contact rule. The census lot were fun, tenacious little blighters, so glad I wasted so much of their time.

You have a legal obligation to complete the census.

MrsE_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

Wow - I wouldn't dream of not answering the door, whatever time of the day or night.

It could be an emergency, someone needing help, a meter reader, a delivery, a friend just passing or anything really. To me it's as strange as someone not answering the phone.

I was amazed at the number of people who say they wouldn't answer too.

I always answer.

DUKE

When I lived in a flat alone I used to turn my buzzer off (unless I knew someone was visiting me) as people would ring late at night & it'd scare me half to death :eek: If they haven't been invited then they shouldn't be knocking at my door. I'm now wary of peering through the spy hole too as I worry about being shot (I know I watch too many films) in the eye.

Amaretti_2

zaxdog wrote: »

So you enjoyed wasting the time of someone who was just trying to make some extra cash? Seems awfully petty and not very MSE!

Absolutely. I don't appreciate being asked intrusive questions by the census or being threatened with a £1000 fine if I don't play ball. Thought I'd be as awkward as them. I won.

Amaretti_2

patchwork_cat wrote: »

You have a legal obligation to complete the census.

Which act of law are you speaking of?

Lilium

We get a lot of cold callers round here. I'm fed up of answering the door to find another person trying to sell me a new driveway, double glazing, religion, insulation, energy tariff, etc, etc. Especially if the doorbell wakes my baby!

Since all I ever do is tell them I'm not interested (even if I wanted any of that stuff, I wouldn't buy it on the doorstep) I peak out the window and if it looks like someone selling something, I don't answer. Even if they've seen me or it's obvious I'm in as the windows are all open, I still don't answer.

I didn't always do this, I used to always answer the door. It felt rude not to. But we get so many cold calls round here that I'm fed up of the disturbance. Sometimes it still does feel a bit rude but then I remind myself they're standing on my doorstep, ringing my doorbell it's therefore my choice if I answer it or not.

GobbledyGook

Amaretti wrote: »

Which act of law are you speaking of?

Doesn't the Census Act (1920 or 25 I think) have a clause about failing to comply/fill in and return the census?

Time_to_get_up_and_go_2-2

Do you have to let meter readers in your property?

We had a meter reading about 2 weeks ago for gas and electric and then the following week another one came.

When I queried it the man was quite off with me and said he had it on his list so it had to be done.

Could I have refused it? I just don't like people wandering through my house to get to the meter etc

LisaLou1982

I answer the door if someone knocks. If its someone i dont want to talk to (ie Charity collectors, religious groups etc) then i tell them politely that i am not interested, thank you. Charity collectors get told that i only give to specified charities but i wish them luck on their way (its final enough for them to get moving ) and Religious groups get told that i dont wish to discuss any religious details with them, but bid them a nice day.

Thats always been enough for me.

TBH i dont actually get many cold callers round here - if theres a knock at the door then its either a neighbour, friend (who usually then walk straight in! ha!) or the postman with a parcel.