to think door-to-door sales and canvassing should be illegal?

(36 Posts)
MardyBra Sat 03-May-14 10:18:06

Or opt in only?

Some fucker has just disturbed my lie-in.

And remonstrated with me for not wanting to hear his sales pitch to boot.

angelos02 Sun 04-May-14 04:38:15

YANBU. Any sales phone calls, post and emails too. Should all be illegal too.

PastaandCheese Sun 04-May-14 06:22:31

YANBU. A few weeks ago I was breastfeeding my newborn in the living room when a fascia board seller knocked on the door.

I didn't answer and the cheeky fecker appeared at my living room window and proceeded to knock on that.

I had to get up with baby now crying and open the window and threaten to call the police before he would go.

PeachTrees Sun 04-May-14 06:35:11

I have a sign and it worked up until the other day when a charity salesman rang the bell. I happily referred him to my sign and he said he 'didn't see it' even though it's situated right above the doorbell hmm He didn't get answers from my neighbors and could see me through my window and thought he'd try his look.

deakymom Sun 04-May-14 07:38:48

i put a sign up it was ignored then ripped off people who do that dont deserve manners

AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore Sun 04-May-14 07:58:19

I have a sign. They still come to the door and knock. I've had the most ridiculous excuses when I point out the sign. Like "we're not SELLING, we're providing an OPPORTUNITY for you to purchase something" hmm or "we're selling for a charity, so it doesn't count" or my particular favourite "I can't read so I couldn't read your sign" - this from someone who was going door to door telling people he was a contractor working in the area, trying to drum up business. Yeah, right. hmm

For the most part, I ignore, but some of them persist in knocking and don't go away for ages. Maddening.

HemlockStarglimmer Sun 04-May-14 09:23:44

I find it depends on the demeanour of the person knocking. Recently I had two different individuals knock on the door the within a couple of hours of each other.

The first one banged on the door and rang the bell. When I opened the door he remarked that I was still wearing my dressing gown and was I having a lazy day (I was ill). I was already on the defensive because of the banging and ringing together. I told him it was non of his business what I was wearing and that I didn't care what he wanted and shut the door in his face while he was still talking.

The second one just rang the bell. When I answered he apologised for disturbing me. Because he didn't make me feel intimidated I happily listened to what he had to say.

Salesman number two could teach salesman number one a lot about not pissing off potential customers.

(I didn't buy anything from the second chap but he went away happy because I was already using the service he was selling).

AiryFairyHairyAndScary Sun 04-May-14 09:29:34

I have noticed on this type of thread that sign do work in some areas but not in others.

I have had a sign for a year or so and it has worked 100%. I have seen people come to the door and then turn away when they see it. I guess its luck where you live.

I have no issue with the telling them to fuck off no, it's the getting to the door that is a pita for me, just to find it's a waste of effort!

Nomama Sun 04-May-14 09:37:50

I've just moved, literally got the last of the furniture in yesterday, and have had a witless door knocker already.

He said he had notice the windows onto the road were not double glazed and that it must be noisy. The house is lovely, he said, if you let us use it in the brochures we could give you a good deal.

I laughed my socks off (well, would have if I had been wearing any). I asked him what made him think the house was lovely (please excuse the incidental stealth boast here). He replied that all the black and white houses in the area were gorgeous.

Yes, I said, and Listed.... door closed!

HoVis2001 Sun 04-May-14 10:47:13

I think there's a world of difference between sales and canvassing, so I would say YANBU on the former but YABU about the latter. Salesmen are trying to make money; canvassers are usually volunteers seeking to either gather information or engage people in discussion about key issues. I have done canvassing and the first question is 'would you be willing to answer a few questions'. If they say no, you leave immediately.

The thing I really hate are the phone scams, especially the 'Microsoft technical support' one. I know enough to say that I have never provided MS with my phone details, but what about less tech-savvy (or elderly) people? I feel happy to at least talk to salesmen and be courteous, but I feel really upset by people who are just lying.

Blamenargles Sun 04-May-14 21:13:10

I had exactly the same when DS was a baby, mid feed door went ignored it they knocked again. Then they came to window.
He then had to cheek to ask why I was so rude and why I was just sat there. I told him I was feeding my son and I wasn't able to get up.

He said he would come back I told him not to bother as I wouldn't be willing to have a conversation with someone that was so ride to people in their own home.

I hate them with a passion

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