Kleeneze Agents Ignore Door Signs Again!

Tiddlywinks

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

I write a message on the catalogue saying they have been reported to Trading Standards and to Kleeneze Head Office.

I also write my address and my 0871 number (10p/min to call) on their order form.

If they do call me, the call is automatically recorded and logged against their phone number (even when their number is withheld). If they were to get obnoxious during any call they make, the recording would be sent direct to Kleeneze's Head of Marketing (Chris Hinds)

Good grief - this doesn't appear to be a proportional response to what should be a minor irritation... how much effort does it take to lift the catalogue from the doormat and then place it on the outside doormat? I'm guessing that would be a lot less than the steps you are taking.

Trading Standards, really? That's a fine use of their limited resources... it's not like they have anything more damaging to deal with like traders ripping off the vulnerable, the dodgy tradesmen, dangerous toys on sale in lead up to Christmas etc.

You need to get a sense of perspective.

lolavix

Completely agree with Tiddlywinks, you must have a very mundane life if something so minor irks you that much

pimento

God forbid someone should try to make a living, eh? Maybe they'd be better off on the dole. I expect the OP would be on here moaning about that, too.

Paul_Varjak

Yes, these uninvited callers do have to make a living, but I have to make a living too. I work from home (due to a disability) and Interruptions from uninvited callers could mean the loss of my work. My disability also means it can be very difficult to answer the door.

I have a door intercom system so that I can answer callers quickly but many callers ignore the intercom and knock on the door instead; that means I am unable to communicate with them via the intercom. They usually offer the excuse that they did not want to disturb me and that is why they knocked, rather than using the intercom! The truth is that they ignore the intercom just so that they can confront me on the doorstep.

It is now a criminal offence to call at someone's door, offering goods or services, when it is made clear that such unsolicited visits are not welcome. The Trading Standards Institute has issued guidance on this and MSE has now redesigned its 'No Cold Callers' sticker accordingly.

meer53

I just put them back outside for them to collect as soon as they drop through the letterbox, whats the big problem ? Do you never open your door or something ?

If they annoy you so much, just put them in the bin, they'll soon stop leaving them.

I quite like the clothing collection bags, i use them to take my stuff to the local hospice charity shop in. Saves me buying bin liners.

Paul_Varjak

meer53 wrote: »

I just put them back outside for them to collect as soon as they drop through the letterbox, whats the big problem ?

Agents do not always collect catalogues when left in clear view. One Kleeneze agent called at my door to collect a catalogue and was rather miffed that I had not left it outside. The same agent failed to go to a neighbour's house that very day, even though the Kleeneze catalogue was clearly visible (from my door) on their doormat!

meer53 wrote: »

Do you never open your door or something ?

My disability makes it difficult to get to the door before a caller has left. These cold callers ignore the intercom, which I can answer on a cordless handset, when I am not working.

meer53 wrote: »

If they annoy you so much, just put them in the bin, they'll soon stop leaving them.

I never return their catalogues but they still call at my door expecting their return!

meer53 wrote: »

I quite like the clothing collection bags, i use them to take my stuff to the local hospice charity shop in. Saves me buying bin liners.

I make use of those too

Paul_Varjak

pimento wrote: »

God forbid someone should try to make a living, eh? Maybe they'd be better off on the dole. I expect the OP would be on here moaning about that, too.

My work at home means I am not allowed interruptions. Interruptions could mean the loss of my work. I certainly do not want to claim 'dole' as you so eloquently put it.

Tiddlywinks

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

Yes, these uninvited callers do have to make a living, but I have to make a living too. I work from home (due to a disability) and Interruptions from uninvited callers could mean the loss of my work. My disability also means it can be very difficult to answer the door.

I have a door intercom system so that I can answer callers quickly but many callers ignore the intercom and knock on the door instead; that means I am unable to communicate with them via the intercom. They usually offer the excuse that they did not want to disturb me and that is why they knocked, rather than using the intercom! The truth is that they ignore the intercom just so that they can confront me on the doorstep.

It is now a criminal offence to call at someone's door, offering goods or services, when it is made clear that such unsolicited visits are not welcome. The Trading Standards Institute has issued guidance on this and MSE has now redesigned its 'No Cold Callers' sticker accordingly.

Legality wise, this has yet to be tested and most local Trading Standards' sites do say that cold calling (even in No Cold Calling Zones) is not illegal.

Even Martin says that this is untested in law and just relies on the advice of one QC.

I don't know about anyone else but I don't want the justice system clogged any more than it is already - and certainly not with Kleeneze agents whose only offence is to drop a catalogue through your door!

Lots of us have reasons not to want to be disturbed - illness, baby, shift working or whatever. Just do what most of us do... don't answer the door unless you are expecting someone. Then, look out of the window to see who it is... if it's postie or courier, then answer - otherwise, just ignore them and carry on regardless.

You seem to be taking these calls as a personal attack - they are not - you are one of many to these merchants and, in the great scheme of things, there are worse things to worry about in this world.

Paul_Varjak

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Good grief - this doesn't appear to be a proportional response to what should be a minor irritation... how much effort does it take to lift the catalogue from the doormat and then place it on the outside doormat? I'm guessing that would be a lot less than the steps you are taking.

Trading Standards, really? That's a fine use of their limited resources... it's not like they have anything more damaging to deal with like traders ripping off the vulnerable, the dodgy tradesmen, dangerous toys on sale in lead up to Christmas etc.

You need to get a sense of perspective.

Trading Standards recognise the fact that unsolicited doorstep sellers are a nuisance. That is why they have NO COLD CALLING zones. It is also illegal to make unsolicited doorstep calls when it has been made clear that such calls are not welcome. These regulations are within Trading Standards remit.

The Kleenzee agent who left a catalogue yesterday also included his own advertising leaflet making claims on potential earnings that even Kleeneze's Head of Marketing (Chris Hinds) agreed could not be substantiated. Mr Hinds also took on board my concern that Kleeneze agents could be committing a criminal offence by ignoring door signs not to make unsolicited sale calls.

Tiddlywinks

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

My work at home means I am not allowed interruptions. Interruptions could mean the loss of my work. I certainly do not want to claim 'dole' as you so eloquently put it.

You absolutely can't afford an interruption by a Kleeneze agent during your working day (a knock at the door which can easily be ignored), but you are allowed to take time out to post about it on the internet though...