Door-to-door sales… can we ask them to be more responsible?

Antispam

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kittyscarlett

Speaking as someone who has two jobs, both of which involve the safety and security of older people, sorry to the honest window cleaner etc but I say, ban cold callers at the doorstep altogether. It is indeed a shame that the ethical, respectful and honest callers are tarred with the same brush as either the pushy ones or the downright scamming thieving scum that prey on older people, but the latter are sadly in the majority. I have seen too much damage done , both physical, financial and psychological, to vulnerable older people who have succumbed to dodgy cold callers, to have any other viewpoint on the matter.

BargainGalore

That is a good point. My OH grandma who is 97 but lives with her daughter and on rare occasion she is on her own while MIL runs for errands is terrified of people at the door. She use to fall some years back to these scams that you won a prize and she would send money thankfully not a lot. She didnt understand that there are dishonest people out there

I wish they would ban cold calling, not many people want to be pestered with hard sells and over priced goods

kittyscarlett wrote: »

Speaking as someone who has two jobs, both of which involve the safety and security of older people, sorry to the honest window cleaner etc but I say, ban cold callers at the doorstep altogether. It is indeed a shame that the ethical, respectful and honest callers are tarred with the same brush as either the pushy ones or the downright scamming thieving scum that prey on older people, but the latter are sadly in the majority. I have seen too much damage done , both physical, financial and psychological, to vulnerable older people who have succumbed to dodgy cold callers, to have any other viewpoint on the matter.

MothballsWallet

Can we extend this campaign to the charity doorstep canvassers and collection bag droppers (who tend to be private companies "working on behalf of" named charities including, but not limited to, Help the Aged, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Make a Wish Foundation and British Heart Foundation (these are the ones who spring to mind)) please?

[rant]A note to any charity bosses reading this: if you can afford professional adverts or to employ street & doorstep collectors to garner donations, then you need to look at your overheads as you've got plenty of money (NSPCC, Red Cross and Dogs Trust, I'm looking in your direction).[/rant]

gwyneddgal

As someone who worked as a 'door-to-door salesperson' I have to say some of the comments are a bit harsh. I worked for the Cobra group and when I started the money was good but near the end got less and less and thats hy I left the company. I never attempted to sign up the elderly or vurnerable as to me this is just morally wrong, however if the company I was selling for could offer a cheaper deal to what the customer was on then why not sign them up? Of course I was able to take no for an answer as the aim never was to sign up everyone you speak to as that is just unrealistic. I did get abuse that I found completely unneccesary, it is not against the law to knock on someones door and a polite 'no thank you' was sufficient to move me on my way. I think its awfull to be told to 'f- off' without actually saying anything but 'Hi'. Of course not all door-to-door salespeople are who they say they are and some use dirty tatics but not all are like this and maybe should be given the benefit of the doubt, it's just a sad reflection on society that people trying to do an honest days work instead of sitting at home claiming benefits are given such verbal abuse when a no thanks is all that is needed if your not interested.

Antispam

It may sound harsh. But I find it annoying having to answer the door when someone is trying to flog me something. I have a notice at the door telling them I don't buy from the door its a official notice issued by Trading Standards. Its not my fault the sales person is blind/dumb/illiterate

Cold callers should respect people's wishes, then we wouldn't have disgruntled customers, I make it a policy of never giving any company my business is they do not respect my wishes.

I try my utmost to prevent unwanted callers or people trying to flog you things whether its by the door/phone/high street/supermarket

mezmrz

1. Sorry as a new user you are not allowed to post with links. This is done to stop spammers clogging up the site. Please edit your message below to continue.

bit dramatic...

wanted to post a different version of a window sticker, didnt like the BEWARE word, wanted to be more subtle, never mind... forget it!

ultrapablo

Hi guys, dont know if I will be exactly welcome in this forum but thought i'd post my views from the other side!

I have recently started doing door to door sales for a large reputable company in the U.K. here. Never thought it would be an avenue I would go down but needs must in our current ecconomic climate. I am realy enjoying the work I do as enjoy meeting new people and, in a nut shell, speaking to many different people and drinking their teas and coffees!

In all seriousness though, I understand the self constructed taboo that door to door sales has created itself over the years. I also understand that because of this, previous bad experiances and word of mouth, there isn't a lot of trust in people or companies who practice this method.

However, I would just like to say that there are many honest companies and sales agents out there aswell (believe it or not!) I wouldnt work for a company I didn't believe in or was untrustworthy.

To give you an idea, the company I work for carry out disclosure checks on alll staff and we arent allowed to work if anything comes up. We all wear official photographic ID badges and have official company headed contracts for anyone who would want to sign for our services. Also we send letters to the police in the areas that we cover just to advise we will be there which I think is great for the public. Just an added bit of security realy which I am all for. After all, I had a Gran, I have a family and I wouldn't stand for anything which put their security and safety under threat.

Its great that the No Cold Calling Zones are in operation and that there are many areas that are together in the comunity. Allthough I feel that its a shame for the honest salesperson and the potential customers who miss out for this. Hopefully there will be more legislation that forces out the con artists in the future though. Something similar to what has happened to the security industry.

Lots more to say but its nearly 3am and I need my beauty sleep before I drink all your tea and coffee tomorrow - so if I chap your door its just milk for me as I'm sweet enough!

anewman

@ultrapablo - we do not need door to door sales people coming wasting our time. If we want something, and your company provides what we want, we'll come get it. We hardly need people turning up and pestering us, when at the end of the day all they want is a signature so they can get their commission. Chances are the company with someone turning up on your doorstep on their behalf claiming to be cheaper won't be cheaper.

Antispam

I am sure there are some honest door to door sales people, however I expect people to respect my wishes and dont come knocking at my door

I dont want people phoning me too, I make it a policy to click on the box not to receive marketing calls.

Only recently Had British Gas ring for gas boiler insurance crap, twice in 2 days when I told them I dont want it, I dont want marketing calls and I have a plumber in family who can do this

Then I ring water company about a querier on my bill and get the sell on water insurance for pipes

Booked a holiday in UK, Monday and I get do you want insurance.


There are many rogue salesman who blatantly lie and for instance 3 weeks ago got one saying the council are doing surveys on heat loss with a camera, do you mind if they take a picture of your house? All sounds fine so far. I go on about how I am trying to save on energy, I then get from salesman, you may need your double glazing upgraded, can I give a company your details.