What can I do to stop Door-to-Door salespeople ?

dispossessed

This is a significant problem for us not least as my wife is disabled and will struggle to the door only to discover it's someone trying to sell something.

Firstly, I do have the MSE No Cold Callers sign displayed in the front window - which is only a few feet from the footpath and the sign is clearly visible from the street.

I also have three large signs (each about 6 ins by 6 ins) on the front door, two at eye level and one above the knocker.

I also have a CCTV camera clearly visible and a large yellow sign (6 in by 6 in) advising of the fact.

Yet still they come !

Oviously when I see someone on the CCTV monitor wearing a Hi-Viz tabard with a charity name on it we simply do not open the door. However when people are wearing a coat with British Gas (or similar) emblazoned on it or alternatively normally dressed we feel obliged to open the door in case it is something important.

Is there something, apart from a decapitated head on a spike, that will deter these people ? We just wish to be left alone - I do not think it is much to ask when we have, by any reasonable measure, made our wishes known.

Arthur

Jackmydad

If they were put off by signs, or the fact that very few actually want them calling, then they wouldn't make many sales. . .
"Callers by appointment only" and don't answer the door to anyone who doesn't have an appointment?

EssexExile

Get a Ring Video Doorbell & answer the door without leaving your seat.

TELLIT01

I have the same sort of notice on my front door.  When one particularly 'in your face' gent arrived I asked if he couldn't read.  His response and I quote was "If I took any notice of those F***ing signs, I'd never F***ing well sell anything".  I responded with similar terminology, suggesting he go forth and multiply, and had a barrage of abuse from him as he walked back down the path.  We don't actually get too many, but I don't know how much that is to do with the notice and how much where we live.

dispossessed

EssexExile said:

Get a Ring Video Doorbell & answer the door without leaving your seat.

Thank you - I had no idea about these devices. They look interesting but do you know if the voice feature works if they don't press the button ? I ask as almost all callers to our house appear to ignore the knocker and just bang on the door like the East German Stasi.

Arthur

dispossessed

TELLIT01 said:

I have the same sort of notice on my front door.  When one particularly 'in your face' gent arrived I asked if he couldn't read.  His response and I quote was "If I took any notice of those F***ing signs, I'd never F***ing well sell anything".  I responded with similar terminology, suggesting he go forth and multiply, and had a barrage of abuse from him as he walked back down the path.  We don't actually get too many, but I don't know how much that is to do with the notice and how much where we live.

It did occur to me that some  people may have difficulty with reading - literacy issues such as dyslexia or not having English as their first language. The signs we have are designed with this possibility in mind. - eg One is on a red background and features the word "NO!" in large text at the top. Another features a chequered band at the top and base.

We have also encountered a few 'gobbies' over the years. The worst was from an air ambulance charity. He was actually dressed in an Air Ambulance uniform (red coveralls etc). On occasion one does land about 1/4 mile away -  hence I opened the door. We were not the only people who took issue with his technique and manner and the Police did have a word.

Arthur

kazwookie

Just stop opening your door to these people. Ignore them

If it is important, they would have rung / send a letter to book an appointment.

If you want to keep opening the door to these people, get a good door chain fitted.

dispossessed

kazwookie said:

Just stop opening your door to these people. Ignore them

If it is important, they would have rung / send a letter to book an appointment.

If you want to keep opening the door to these people, get a good door chain fitted.

If you re-read my original post you will see that is easy to say but harder to accomplish in practise.

A person wearing everyday clothes knocks at the door - they could be wanting to advise anything from one of our cats having been injured to the body of a neighbour hanging from a beam in their garage. We have had both and everything in between. Not all callers without appointment are salespeople.

Arthur

cymruchris

You probably have too many signs. Get the 'ring' doorbell with one sign only - 'We only answer the door if you ring the bell, and if you're selling anything we won't be interested, no matter how great your deal is' - then they can knock as much as they like. 

Jackmydad

Or just have the Ring doorbell.
No signs. WHy bother, they get ignored.
Anyone selling just cut them off. Don't answer the door.
No need to be polite about it IMHO. 

Mutton_Geoff

You could put one of these signs up?