CAN YOU READ?

[Rudi]

I am a member of the Grumpy Old Man/Get Off My Lawn club. The other day I was just starting a nap when there is a knock on the door. I thought it was the neighbor that I had just talked to a few min. before, so didn't look out. Here is a kid(25?)with his little clip board and jacket with logo. I have a NO SOLICITING sign on the screen door. "Can you read?" I ask in my seriously PO'd voice. He starts yammering about my roof and windows. "Are you stupid?" I ask. "Can't you read this sign?", pointing to it. He keeps up his spiel. "Idiot!!" I say, and slammed the door. Wish I had read the logo on the jacket, would have called his boss. I was too PO'd, couldn't get a nap. What nerve.

 

[steelslaver]

He probably would have gotten a raise if you had called his boss.

 

[magmag]

Casing. Keep your guard up.

 

[CalifEd]

Yes, they can read.
Yes, they don't care.
Don't get the BP up; just close (or slam) the door.

Some truth about this:
They are usually exploited people that are trying to make a sale so they can get a commission and their bosses can make a buck.
Their bosses don't care about anything, or any body, other than the sale.
They are akin to the telemarketers selling auto service plans, solar installation and all manner of stuff.

 

[tlawler]

If I do get hoodwinked into actually opening the door, like Rudi said, thinking it’s a neighbor or something…I’ll usually just slam the door in their face with no acknowledgment.

 

[AugieTN]

I need to get a NO SOLICITING sign. We are constantly getting sales people who wants us to change our electric supplier

 

[pawngal]

I used to get a lot of those type but not anymore. No real reason why that I know of. I probably wouldn't hear them any way unless they really pounded on the door. Doorbell doesn't work and I usually have the radio or stereo on.

 

[alwslate]

At 79 I often take naps during the middle of the day when most folks are up and about and maybe working. I have also finally realized that the sound of my doorbell does not automatically confer on me a requirement to get up and answer it.

 

[dockmurgw]

I think I would have gone another way...admired his persistence and desire to make a living and said thanks, but no thanks.

 

[jem102]

I turned my doorbell off several years ago. I live alone, my grown children have access and my neighbors can call first to see if I am up and about.

 

[WardenRoss]

Having worked with troubled youth my whole life....

I have a soft spot for a young person at least trying to make a legitimate living and earning a paycheck.

Believe me, they are in the minority.

Many just give up 'cause making an honest living wage is more difficult than gang-banging their way through life.

,

 

[DCWilson]

"No soliciting" is a little highfalutin for some who show up at our doors. Put up a white card at eye level with the giant red letters

NMH
​

If somebody knocks and starts a spiel, just point to the card, then say, "No money here" as you close the door. No need to be angry or insulting. No need to worry about conversational politeness. Remember: brusqueness is always a courtesy to people who must use their time effectively. You are actually doing them a favor.

 

[steelslaver]

I do not have a "door bell" button. I do however have about an 8" dia brass bell with a braided cord hanging out of it, most people are not smart enough to figure out how to ring the bell to get my attention

 

[CalifEd]

I do not have a "door bell" button. I do however have about an 8" dia brass bell with a braided cord hanging out of it, most people are not smart enough to figure out how to ring the bell to get my attention

Your're lucky that some smart guy doesn't decide it's 8 bells of whatever watch is set and ring it, just for the fun and giggles.

 

[tomhenry]

At 79 I often take naps during the middle of the day when most folks are up and about and maybe working. I have also finally realized that the sound of my doorbell does not automatically confer on me a requirement to get up and answer it.

My doorbell is about the same pitch as my tinnitus. About the only good thing about that ringing.

 

[GypsmJim]

My response is that I know who you are. I googled your company and found a ton of bad reviews. Seems that you are all criminals and your products are ****.

Shuts them down in a hurry.

 

[fiasconva]

I find that a Beware of Dog sign works better than the No Soliciting one.

 

[Buford57]

I used to get the same response when I was doing security clearance backgrounds for DoD. Showing a badge didn't always help. Protocol was to interview a certain number of neighbors within line of sight and if the last house had a No Soliciting or We Shoot Every Third Salesman and the Second Just Left or similar sign, I knocked anyway. I had nothing to sell.

 

[LVSteve]

Start your phone camera in video mode, hold it up so they are clearly seen and say in a loud voice, "You have been trespassed from this property." Close door, download video to computer. Job done.

 

[Doug627]

He is just trying to make a living. If I say I'm not interested and they keep going, I just close the door. I don't slam it.