Cold callers who insist that they're not cold callers!

noelphobic

If I put any more 'no cold callers' signs on my door you won't be able to see my door. But still they come. The most recent was someone trying to get support for a charity for the blind. He insisted that he wasn't a cold caller because he represented a charity. After several rounds of 'you're a cold caller' 'I'm not a cold caller' I got bored and advised him to google cold calling. The previous one was from an energy company and I've since learned that they have a code of practice which forbids them from knocking at a door bearing a 'no cold callers' sign so I will hit them with that next time. Prior to that I had someone selling cavity wall insulation who apparently wasn't a cold caller because 'I work for your council'. Then there are the Jehovah's Witnesses.

I don't actually like being rude to people and don't like conflict but I am sick and tired of being harassed in my own home. Any advice anyone?

HappyMJ

noelphobic wrote: »

If I put any more 'no cold callers' signs on my door you won't be able to see my door. But still they come. The most recent was someone trying to get support for a charity for the blind. He insisted that he wasn't a cold caller because he represented a charity. After several rounds of 'you're a cold caller' 'I'm not a cold caller' I got bored and advised him to google cold calling. The previous one was from an energy company and I've since learned that they have a code of practice which forbids them from knocking at a door bearing a 'no cold callers' sign so I will hit them with that next time. Prior to that I had someone selling cavity wall insulation who apparently wasn't a cold caller because 'I work for your council'. Then there are the Jehovah's Witnesses.

I don't actually like being rude to people and don't like conflict but I am sick and tired of being harassed in my own home. Any advice anyone?

Yes...don't answer the door. If someone you know thinks your in then they'll call you from their mobile or call out your name. "NOELPHOBIC!!!...are you in? It me!!!"...then you answer the door.

browneyedbazzi

HappyMJ wrote: »

Yes...don't answer the door. If someone you know thinks your in then they'll call you from their mobile or call out your name. "NOELPHOBIC!!!...are you in? It me!!!"...then you answer the door.

Exactly. Many versions of 'no cold caller' signs say 'I don't answer the door to cold callers/unexpected visitors' - so you should do just that. Let them knock/ring the doorbell and just ignore it. They might stand there for a minute but they'll get the hint and go away. As soon as you start to engage in a conversation with them they see it as being on the way to getting what they want and will carry on.

noelphobic

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

Exactly. Many versions of 'no cold caller' signs say 'I don't answer the door to cold callers/unexpected visitors' - so you should do just that. Let them knock/ring the doorbell and just ignore it. They might stand there for a minute but they'll get the hint and go away. As soon as you start to engage in a conversation with them they see it as being on the way to getting what they want and will carry on.

It shows how stupid and/or thick skinned they are. To not only knock on a door displaying a 'no cold callers' sign but to also argue with the householder. Do they really believe that they will get a sale that way? Having said that, a frequent opening gambit is 'don't worry, I'm not selling anything'. If the first thing someone says is a lie then they're on a hiding to nothing.

fluffnutter

noelphobic wrote: »

If I put any more 'no cold callers' signs on my door you won't be able to see my door. But still they come. The most recent was someone trying to get support for a charity for the blind. He insisted that he wasn't a cold caller because he represented a charity. After several rounds of 'you're a cold caller' 'I'm not a cold caller' I got bored and advised him to google cold calling. The previous one was from an energy company and I've since learned that they have a code of practice which forbids them from knocking at a door bearing a 'no cold callers' sign so I will hit them with that next time. Prior to that I had someone selling cavity wall insulation who apparently wasn't a cold caller because 'I work for your council'. Then there are the Jehovah's Witnesses.

I don't actually like being rude to people and don't like conflict but I am sick and tired of being harassed in my own home. Any advice anyone?

Actually, charities are exempt from laws that prevent traders from ignoring your wishes.

Having said that, I know precisely how you feel - I don't want anyone knocking my door unless it's with a big exciting parcel (for me).

I just don't answer the door. Then I go and stand by the upstairs window to see who's leaving. If it's the postie, the meter reader or a friend I go and open up for them. Everyone else - tough.

Battleaxe44

Last evening around 6.30pm the door bell is rung, then heavy thumping on the front door, we thought it might have been one of the neighbours in trouble..so answered the door,standing on the path is a lad about 18 blonde hair and silly hat at strange angle, guess it is the latest style, he had some form of identification around his neck, so I opened the door and told him I wasn't interested in anything, he looked at me strangely, so I said again i wasn't nterested in anything and shut the door. OH wanted to know who it was, I replied I haven't clue...OH would have stood there and spoken to whomever/and whatever it is about..Not me..JW's get the worst from me...Had two nicely dressed ladies on the doorstep asking me if I wanted to hear some good news, I said ' No, I have my good news' and shut the door on them.

'No cold callers' sign, CCTV camera and they can see it, and yet they still persist. Imight just print up a lot of Tort of Trespass letters and hand these out... I am at a loss what to do with these people.

ariba10

Our local Jehovah's Witnesses do observe the no cold calling sign but it is surprising how many callers do not.

earthstorm

I am also amazed at how many takeaway leaflets we get even though we have a large sticker on the letterbox saying no commercial mail/junk mail.

I feel like collecting it all up and then when i have a small mountain of these go along to the takeaways and then dumping them on their doormat.

we get cold callers even though we have a sign saying no cold callers, so why do these companies not learn their cold calling staff the basic concept of reading as its clear they just are unable to read.

with Jehovah's Witnesses that cant read its just a simple ' sorry dont have the time as i have to go to and give my monthly blood donation'

Hermia

earthstorm wrote: »

I am also amazed at how many takeaway leaflets we get even though we have a large sticker on the letterbox saying no commercial mail/junk mail.

When I was a student I delivered leaflets for a while. The bosses would phone random houses to see if they had received the leaflet. We would get into trouble if they hadn't EVEN if the person stated they had a no leaflets sign up. We would also have problems because the person would say they hadn't received a leaflet and not explain why (no leaflets sign, letterbox boarded up). So in the end everyone got a leafet.

Jamie_Carter

fluffnutter wrote: »

Actually, charities are exempt from laws that prevent traders from ignoring your wishes.

Having said that, I know precisely how you feel - I don't want anyone knocking my door unless it's with a big exciting parcel (for me).

I just don't answer the door. Then I go and stand by the upstairs window to see who's leaving. If it's the postie, the meter reader or a friend I go and open up for them. Everyone else - tough.

Why should charities be exempt?

I just tell them that I never give to charities who come to the door, because it is high pressure. And that I would rather approach my chosen charities myself.

PZH

Hermia wrote: »

When I was a student I delivered leaflets for a while. The bosses would phone random houses....

So, not only did you deliver junk mail that 99.9% of the population simply throw in the recycle bin, your employer then followed up with a random cold telephone call !!

:eek:

No wonder people get pee'd off...