Vent: Door To Door Sales People

[Kintsugi]

Kas, just a thought, and this is not at all saying you didn't handle things reasonably at all as it stands, but how might it have affected your confidence or sense of security to simply answer whatever they were asking by saying something like, "I would appreciate you leaving this property," instead of engaging with them?

There was this hitchhiker who approached my car once while I was with my SO. My SO was being his usual friendly, willing to help self, but the way this guy approached him/the car (SO was outside the car, I was sitting in the driver's seat) and asking/bartering for a ride, and the way he was speaking--there was something insidious about it all. As a general rule I only pick up aged women, women with small children, and aged veterans. This man was being oddly aggressive in his approach. My SO basically said, "Sure, we'll give you a lift," and looked at me for agreement. The man said to me, "You're a kind person. I can see it in your eyes. You have compassion." I said, "No. We will not do that. I do not feel comfortable with it. Please leave us alone." He couldn't believe it: "What? Are you really gonna do that to me? You're that malicious?" I just said, "I think I was clear in asking you to leave me alone. Go away or I will tell the shopkeeper you are harassing patrons." He kept calling me names while trying to get me to change my mind. "You're not hearing me," I said, "Leave me alone."

Admittedly afterward I was shaking and began to cry, but when we drove away, I also felt really strong, really empowered, like I did the right thing by not engaging this rude person or buying what he was selling, so to speak.

Not sure if that helps at all, or even applies. Just a thought I had.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I would normally try to, I have encountered other callers when living on my own when I wasn't really capable of answering the door. I gave him answers to his questions, that was reasonable, he could have then left, but he aggressive from the word go and insistently pushy when he ran out of questions, at his insult I went from being terrified to feeling. After he left I nearly left the house ato demand an apology, but I doubted he'd give me one and so I left it. Which meant I was left feeling trapped with no escape from the feeling of fear created in me, with no way out, I know I shouldn't be, but I'm pleased I stood my ground enough to tell him to eff off - I'm never able to stand my ground and let everyone walk all over me, so if it wasn't the politest way so be it, it's a learning curve.

 

[Kintsugi]

Sounds to me you gave him *exactly* as much respect as he was asking for.

Maybe I'm a cold-hearted--you know.

:P

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

Thank you :)

 

[Barberian]

Any time a sales person knocks on your door that causes you concern, close the door, lock it and all other doors/windows, and call the police. If they weren't up to no good, no harm, just a few questions by the police. If they were up to no good, they may be arrested on sight, or cause them enough concern that people in the neighborhood watch out for bad people that they will choose another neighborhood to do the bad stuff.

My house has a two car garage that sticks out in front on one side. I made a fence that encloses the front of the house up to the end of the garage. I also have an eight camera DVR system that allows me to watch and record 24/7 all around my house. I placed a few of the cameras where they can be clearly seen from the street. I can clearly see anybody in my front yard or on my property, and they have to open a 6' high gate that has a large "No Trespassing" sign on it. On my side gate and front door security screen I have a sign that says "Never Mind the Dog, Beware of Owner"



I've made it pretty obvious not to knock on my door unless invited.

I've only had one sales person knock on the door since I installed the fence/gate/signs. They were selling weatherproofing, which the Mrs. was talking about just a few days before, so I thought my wife called for their services. I was nice to them, got their phone # and said my wife would call them later. I wish I had known they weren't invited. I would have had them arrested.

 

[Kintsugi]

Just a note to anyone, and not at all to be disrespectful...

If you see people coming up your lawn or driveway to the door with a bright orange bag with a book in it, it's from AT&T, and those people aren't going to knock or engage you and probably would rather not. They're supposed to drop it off on the hinge-side of your door and then click a crazy GPS collar they wear to prove they did it, and they get paid like 16 cents a book or something.

I did that one winter in super scary backwoods SC, and it was totally terrifying, and it paid badly, and I was desperate for the money. You won't get paid if you can't prove it was dropped off properly at the door. I think you're allowed like ten misses a route due to dogs or people who threaten to shoot you (check, check). You'll get fired if it happens too often. And it doesn't cost anything.

Just saying, for those people in particular as it is national, try to be understanding. If I came to your door, I can almost guarantee you I was more scared than you were. :D

 

[StarChild]

"Never Mind the Dog, Beware of Owner" :wideeyed::wideeyed::wideeyed:

That's really a great one Barberian! Did you buy the warning plate, or is it hand made by yourself?

 

[Barberian]

I bought it. I had to look around for it for a while. I don't remember which store I got it at. You can find them online as well.

 

[Tanishq]

I have had two unpleasant experiences with door knockers

:eek: that is pretty terrifying. Also thank god the police got the job done very quick. If situation gets out of our handle, better to call the police. lol. He had to run off when he saw police coming in, that tells definitely he was not there for selling. Strange!

 

[blackemerald1]

Thanks Tanishq, yes I was lucky a patrol was in the area and got to me within minutes. I had to get the door fixed which I think he should have had to pay for but he was a loser and not worth him getting to know anymore about me. He pleaded guilty at court so I did not have to give evidence.

Since my home invasion I am very careful about locks and doors and windows.

I try to find a balance between fear and common sense. I know one cannot read another person's mind but I think you need to go with your gut when you get unknown callers.

Quite some time ago there was a vicious rapist targeting nurses as they left the staff car parks of the hospitals where they worked. The thing is, he was dressed like an old lady trying to wave down a lift. A number of nurses fell victim to him before he was caught in a sting operation. Several nurses had near misses but noticed he was really tall and had large hands. (He always tried to get in the front passenger door at the traffic lights). It was in the days when not many people could afford those bricks they used to call mobile phones. So, the nurses that were lucky phoned from home to the Police. Extra patrols and security was done. Good to have the scum like that off the street. Keeping your doors locked when driving alone is a simple precaution.

Many years ago, my father who was in his 60's and who worked a farm in a very isolated area.came across a boat load of people disembarking from a boat next to his house gate area. They were all young bucks and had been drinking as they moved down the river looking for something to do. They obviously saw Dad's house and decided to have a look around.

Dad asked them to leave, telling them they were on private property and they surrounded him and told him they were not going to leave. So Dad said, "OK, just a minute". . He went back inside the house, grabbed his rifle, loaded it and went back out. The scum bags were actually still standing there expecting to get shown around.....as if! Anyway Dad said, "right now I am telling you to leave now" and let a shot up in the air. They slid and tumbled down the river bank so fast and gunned that boat back up the river while Dad stood by and watched. They sobered up quickly lets put it that way.

Might sound scary to have to use a rifle but what a cheek, just walk onto what is obviously someone's property and home and refuse to leave. Well, they the sum bags would be in their forties by now and I bet they still talk about that crazy bloke with the gun....lol.

 

[roadEnd]

I experience this kind of interrogation when I was a teenager. Honestly, I was afraid at first because I don't even know these guys whose been knocking to our door. I remember my mom's reminder before she left me that day. She said that I should not talk to strangers and not to open door when it's not her who knock to it. Always be wary of individuals selling stuff door to door, as a number are rip-off artists. Apart from Girl Scouts attempting to get people hooked on diabolically addicting cookies, there are a number of door-to-door scams out there. Resource for this article: discover much more at personalmoneynetwork

 

[Tanishq]

@blackemerald1 Apologies for not replying quickly right back at you. Somehow I got sidetracked and forgot this whole thread discussion.

What your dad did gave those guys a tough lesson. :D