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

dispossessed

Jackmydad said:

elsien said:

Jackmydad said:

Beware of the dog sign ?

I have a "this property is guarded by English bull terrier security" sign. Mainly because it made me laugh as Gitdog is useless.

Doesn't work. They knock the door then retreat to a safe distance till they can see where the dog is. 

It used to work here for the occasional visitor, but then they had to go through a gate, and walk about 50 yards, usually with our GSD following. He was as soft as a brush, but he used to "laugh" at them.

Arthur,  I don't know how to recognise a salesman by looks alone, but if I don't know somebody, I wouldn't answer the door. People wanting to borrow anything can go away as well, unless I happen to be outside. In which case they can still go away.  Unless they are of a small group of actual friends that is. That's different.
They know better than to ask!  (Not really, but I'm not much of a borrower or a lender)

"Question everything" is fine.
In theory.
In practice it ain't as easy.
You can question all you want, but when there's no real answer, as in this case, then you're banging your head against a brick wall.
Your answer to the TVL people was fairly simple, as you were dealing with one entity who more or less has to listen.
Your salesmen are multiple entities who won't listen, or take notice of signs, or anything else.
So the only answer I can see is not to engage with them.
The uniformed people you might have to check it's nothing. But that's a minor annoyance.

Cats. Phone number only on the collar. It's what we used to do and worked fine.

One thing is sure. There's no "magic bullet" to stop cold callers.

"You can question all you want, but when there's no real answer, as in this case, then you're banging your head against a brick wall."

I suspect that similar statements were made to the people who sought to fly and develop pain free surgery etc

I'm 'retired' now but in a former professional incarnation I was  responsible (in part) for changes to English Law on several occasions. I may well pursue a legal remedy in 2021 (bit too busy at present) so do keep a lookout if you are interested.

Having said that if I can find an effective solution before then I will be able to enjoy my retirement and indulge in my hobbies. I would much prefer this option.

Arthur

ellie99

I used to have a job which meant I knocked on a lot of doors (deliveries, so meant to be there). The only sign which stopped me knocking was Night Shift Worker - Do Not Disturb. Maybe the thought of an irate householder who's been woken up would stop some of them. 
Also, your wife really doesn't need to struggle to the door. If it's something really important, the caller will find a way.

dispossessed

ellie99 said:

I used to have a job which meant I knocked on a lot of doors (deliveries, so meant to be there). The only sign which stopped me knocking was Night Shift Worker - Do Not Disturb. Maybe the thought of an irate householder who's been woken up would stop some of them. 
Also, your wife really doesn't need to struggle to the door. If it's something really important, the caller will find a way.

Thank you for providing the insight. Ultimately you read and inwardly digested any message and then applied common sense to the situation at the time.

If you take a look at my second reply to 'taff' you will see that one of our signs includes the words 'DO NOT DISTURB'. This is actually printed in bold, red coloured and capitalized text. Unfortunately, as I have said - I believe that at least part of the problem is many of the people who call cannot read, possibly due to poor vision but more probably due to problems with literacy.

If I am out then my wife needs to struggle to the CCTV monitor which is next to the front door for the same reason as me.

Arthur

ellie99

dispossessed said:

If I am out then my wife needs to struggle to the CCTV monitor which is next to the front door for the same reason as me.

Arthur

Sorry, I misunderstood. I didn't realise a CCTV monitor would be next to the door, I had imagined it would be conveniently situated in the living area.

dispossessed

ellie99 said:

dispossessed said:

If I am out then my wife needs to struggle to the CCTV monitor which is next to the front door for the same reason as me.

Arthur

Sorry, I misunderstood. I didn't realise a CCTV monitor would be next to the door, I had imagined it would be conveniently situated in the living area.

No problem. The CCTV was a relic of the analogue era that I acquired for £10. I suppose an upgrade is somewhat overdue which is why I have been investigating the video bells suggested by some people.

Arthur

fenwick458

I haven't read all pages here so sorry if somebody has already beat me to it, but the answer is, answer the door naked

SeaVixen

TELLIT01 said:

SeaVixen said:

One visible sign is all you'll need..... If it's being largely ignored, it's not serving any purpose. However, it is highlighting potential vulnerability to would-be burglars.  

Best of luck!

I presume you mean they are predominantly used by the more mature members of our society.  I would personally dispute that.  We put them on our front door when we moved into our current house.  I was 37 at that time.

I agree that age has nothing at all to do with how often you want to open your door to salespeople. Similarly, age doesn't relate to physical mobility in the way most people assume it does.

This is unfortunately one of the tactics used by burglars though. 

dispossessed

fenwick458 said:

I haven't read all pages here so sorry if somebody has already beat me to it, but the answer is, answer the door naked

You are the first to suggest it - congratulations !

The object of the question is how to prevent them knocking in the first place which I find a distracting and irritating interruption.

I am not ashamed of my body but I fear following your advice might induce either PTSD or insane jealousy ;-)

Arthur

dispossessed

SeaVixen said:

TELLIT01 said:

SeaVixen said:

One visible sign is all you'll need..... If it's being largely ignored, it's not serving any purpose. However, it is highlighting potential vulnerability to would-be burglars.  

Best of luck!

I presume you mean they are predominantly used by the more mature members of our society.  I would personally dispute that.  We put them on our front door when we moved into our current house.  I was 37 at that time.

I agree that age has nothing at all to do with how often you want to open your door to salespeople. Similarly, age doesn't relate to physical mobility in the way most people assume it does.

This is unfortunately one of the tactics used by burglars though. 

I would have also been in the region of thirty seven years old when the first No Cold Callers sign was put in place.

The main problem we have encountered is thefts from our garden. Over the course of thirty years we have lost several potted plants and a wheelie bin from the front garden.

Arthur

Emmia

fenwick458 said:

I haven't read all pages here so sorry if somebody has already beat me to it, but the answer is, answer the door naked

That really only works for men.