topic Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent in Community Chat

Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

BabyYoda — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:05:23 GMT

I need to vent here. We usually get solicitors year round in my neighborhood and it is usually the same company sales people or religious people. I have already spoken to these same people in the past to leave us alone and yet they continue to come to my door.

It has been getting excessive this time of year that they want to sell something to you or collect donations. The fire dept. came here on Saturday while we were fixing a fallen Christmas decoration outside and asked us for donations (I give them a donation every year and told him so). The fireman said to me that is great you donate to us but can you give me something today extra?

Today alone I had 10 people ring my doorbell and knocked very loudly numerous times. In fact the same man came here 3 days in a row (Sat, Sun, Mon) in regular clothes (same colored neon green jacket). A few months ago I decided not to answer the door anymore. Sometimes (rarely) I will open the window in front of the house and ask them what they want. We had another robbery this week in our neighborhood and I discussed it with hubby that I would like to install a camera security system. I am home alone while he is at work.

How do do you deal with solicitors?

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

CatLoverDogsToo — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:13:47 GMT

If I am not expecting someone I invited, I do not answer the door, ever. My very large dog does go to the door and greet the unwanted "guest" to an aria of loud barking. They usually leave rather quickly. In reality, she is very sweet, but her bark is scary. I was watching an expert on home safety a while ago, and interestingly, he said the number one thing to protect your house from a break in is putting a large dog bowl outside. Apparently the criminal element will avoid a house where they think a large dog resides.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

DoneTryin — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:17:10 GMT

Yikes! Sorry they're driving you nuts. Guess I'm very lucky in that I live in a very secure apt building. Although there's a "buzzer" the residents have to go down to the front entrance to let their guests in. Certain delivery people have a key to let themselves in, like the mail delivery person.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:22:48 GMT

Let them hear the sound of a gun being cocked, and see the barrel of it.

That should do the trick.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

GCR18 — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:22:57 GMT

I also don't open the door if I'm not expecting company.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

Suziepeach — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:23:08 GMT

We have these out plus a smaller one on our mailbox..

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

Doxielover — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:24:18 GMT

I live alone, so I don't answer my door, unless I am expecting someone. I really don't have a problem with solicitors in my neighborhood, but my mother does. In fact, one time when I was at her house someone from AT&T came to her door 6 or 7 times in a matter of 3 or 4 hours! I finally went to the door and told him to stop harassing us! My mother eventually posted a "No Soliciting" sign in one of her living room windows. It is actually pretty sad that she had to do that.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

lulu2 — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:27:31 GMT

We get tons of phone calls and letters in the mail, but luckily no one knocks on our door asking for contributions. If this were the case, I'd post a No Solicitation sign.

It drives me nuts when you receive an acknowledgement for your donation accompanied by letter requesting you give more.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

chickenbutt — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:29:52 GMT

I should probably not get started on this (the bane of my existence!), but one of the most frustrating aspects of this is that they ignore the signs.

I started out with a nice-looking, very well placed, 'No Soliciting' sign. That didn't work. Then I printed up a sheet that elaborated on that. Nope, didn't make a difference. Added another one that was even MORE explicit. No help at all. I added 'NO TRESPASSING' signs. Didn't make one whit of difference.

Needless to say, these people really PI$$ me off. It wouldn't even be as bad if they didn't feel compelled to lay on the doorbell or BANG on the door relentlessly. *sigh*

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

deepwaterdotter — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:29:53 GMT

@GCR18 wrote:
I also don't open the door if I'm not expecting company.

I do the same thing.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

Big Sister — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:31:51 GMT

Rarely do we get a solicitor coming to our door. I can't imagine why you get so many in your neighborhood, that's terrible.

If I am not expecting company or you haven't called first, I never answer the door, I use the peephole.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

KentuckyWoman — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:35:52 GMT

We never have solicitors knocking on our front door. Our little town requires solicitors to have a license with a fee attached. That pretty much killed the mood. They did allow the fire department to collect for charity while motorists were stopped at traffic lights until citizens complained so much they finally had to abandon that as well. It is aggravating as all get out. Our problem is the dang telephone and telemarketers. We are on a national no call list but at least once every three months I have to re-register to stop it.

ETA: I never answer the door if I am here alone. Our neighbors and family all come to the back door.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

nunya — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:34:10 GMT

@lulu2 wrote:
We get tons of phone calls and letters in the mail, but luckily no one knocks on our door asking for contributions. If this were the case, I'd post a No Solicitation sign.

It drives me nuts when you receive an acknowledgement for your donation accompanied by letter requesting you give more.

My daughter gets these from the college she JUST graduated from in May. She laughs.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

momtochloe — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:37:22 GMT

Our town offers official stickers for your door for fifty cents stating no solicitors. They can get in big trouble if they knock on your door if you have one so it has helped.

I did have one incredibly obnoxious contractor who wouldn't leave until I started counting to ten and grabbed the phone . . . then he left.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

Tantallum — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:38:56 GMT

WOW, 10 per day?? That would drive me crazy. Do you have an alderman or a councilman or someone you could talk to about this?

I know that would not fly in my city.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

Q4u — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:40:10 GMT

Unbelievable gall to ask for yet another donation when you had already given....

All of the telephone solicitors ended when we decided not to have a land line telephone. DH and myself have iPhones. But when they called incessently where we used to live I told them I already bought it, already cleaned it, have a signed contractor ready to build and can't possibly use another one nor do I want to switch BUT I will not accept a contract over the phone, or at the door. I tell them that if I want that service I will research it and go out and find the ones to do it.

My friend blows a whistle into her phone.... I don't do that but I can understand her angst as we had a contractor who sometimes called twice a day trying to get us to sign up. We also had door to doors, a lot of them. One had me standing while he went on and on yakking about The Lord.... five days after I had given birth. I interrupted and loudly blew him off...

Where we live now, it's a 5 acre walk from house to house.... *snarf*..... and we're at the further most part of the subdivision so they're half dead when they get to my door....

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

SharkE — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:42:18 GMT

I put up a sign on my front door area

'NO SOLICITATION'

have had no more trouble

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

denisemb — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:48:37 GMT

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

esmeraldagooch — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:53:22 GMT

Anyone who is going to break in won't like to see this in your front window.... Armed citizens are dangerous.

Re: Solicitors overkill!!!...a vent

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:58:26 GMT

I have a rather noticeable sign that reads NO SOLICITING on my front window. Also, the more stubborn ones, have yet another posting to read about the list of cold calls that are unwanted.

We had to sort of spell it out to them as most are not even aware of what NO SOLICITING means.