I think I'm going to put a huge sign on the door, I'm tired of unwanted visitors
By kris182_2000
@kris182_2000 (5444)
Canada
April 7, 2011 1:26pm CST
I was just about to walk into the kitchen when I saw them out the living room window. They cut across the ditch and were coming up the front walkway.
I am not in the mood for canvassers, so I ignored the door. They had the nerve to knock 4 times. Can they not get the point? If no one answers the first or second time, don't you think it's time to move on?
I was surprised that my dog didn't bark at them, he kept looking at the door. He usually barks. The other dog was barking non stop until they left.
I am going to tape a sign to the door saying NO SOLICITORS! I highly doubt that will keep them away, but I'm hoping it does.
I made the mistake one day of opening the door to a couple of JW's. I wasn't interested in speaking to them, and they took up about half an hour of my time, time I couldn't get back.
My problem? I'm too polite. And the next time they showed up, I did the same thing. I realized then that I shouldn't do that, and when they showed up the third time, I didn't answer the door.
I will never make the same mistake again.
4 people like this
14 responses
@GardenGerty (157918)
• United States
7 Apr 11
I do not answer the door to strangers. I do not talk to religious canvassers. I have learned how to be rude. I tell them I have no time, they want to leave their WatchTower, I say fine, I will throw it in the trash for you. I have a church. I will pray for you. But that is only if I cannot avoid seeing them, like if the door is open and I am working in the entry way.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157918)
• United States
7 Apr 11
That is the extent of my rudeness. No name calling, no yelling. I just tell them the truth, that I will throw their materials in the trash, and I have a church I attend. Some people believe that is rude, but they are also rude if they do not take no for an answer.
1 person likes this
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
7 Apr 11
I don't know how to be rude to a person's face, I've just never done it for fear of getting hurt.
I grew up in an abusive home and this fear has followed me for my entire life.
That's why I'm learning not to answer the door.
3 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
7 Apr 11
I have a hard time saying no as well, so I know where you're coming from. Fortunately with me, I know how to make a JW or Mormon squirm. :-p
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
11 Apr 11
I always just tell them that my son needs my care and I don't have time to talk. I do not let them in the house, and basically end up shutting the door on them.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
11 Apr 11
Personally sometimes, I think there is nothing really that you can do to prevent them from showing up at your door. Lucky for us we live in a Cul De Sac, so that does prevent a lot of people from finding us I am sure... But we do get the occassional person at our door looking for $$ for something, etc. I a lot of times will not answer the door if I am the only one home, but my husband is one to answer. There are times a Sign would be good though for sure.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
5 May 11
My hubby set me up with about a years worth of JW visits by telling them I made the religious decisions. So like you I hid and they kept coming back so I did put a sign on my door like you that said no Solicitors INCLUDING Religious Orders and that did the trick they stopped bothering me.
Now if I could get the people who come offering free estimates on improvements to our house as easily. My thoughts are if I could afford the improvements they would of been done.
1 person likes this
@martha0430 (211)
• Philippines
8 Apr 11
we have the same problem! i even make alibis so that they'll just go and think that they are disturbing me. but still, they insist that it only takes a few minutes. im not against them, but the thing is, they should consider those people who really doesn't want to listen to them. they keep knocking at the door without thinking that they might disturb the people who live in the house. one time, me and my kids are sleeping when they knock and thats really irritating. maybe i should post a sign too =)
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
7 Apr 11
Hanging a sign like that IS a good idea. I put a sign like that right by my doorbell, and it really does help. My sign says No Solicitations of any kind. Once in a while I still get J.W. and it's true, they don't seem to get the hint that I'm happy in my religion and choose not to switch religions. That works most of the time; a few times I've have to say: 'Do you want me to respect your religion and beliefs?', and of course the answer is yes. Then I say that I wish that they would respect my religion and beliefs, and then smile and close the door. I won't be rude, but I intend to get my point across. My barking and growling dogs don't seem to bother solicitors either.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
29 Aug 11
I live in an apartment, so not a lot of door to door solicitors, but we get all kinds of them on the phone. I tell them all where to go. Solicitors don't deserve politeness, because they'll only take advantage.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
7 Apr 11
I can definitely understand your frustration, you can purchase no-soliciting signs in the local hardware store, I've seen that when I visited some people's houses (Not as a solicitor, LOL as a legitimate visiter). They can be annoying, for sure.
What really makes me feel bad is when people ask for donations for a charity, and I have to turn them away because of every cent I got goes towards bills and groceries and my debt.
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
7 Apr 11
Most people, being afraid of big dogs, might think twice about coming to the door if I have a sign that says guard dog on duty. If I could find one of those, it might be better.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
7 Apr 11
I am really afraid of big dogs, it's because we adopted a dog when I was a kid, at age 3, he was abused by his previous owners, it was an airdale terrier, a medium-sized dog. He bit me a lot, including in my face a few times.
@lacieice (2060)
• United States
7 Apr 11
There are apparently a lot of religious groups in my area, because they come to the door quite often. I used to listen for a minute or two, but not anymore. I just tell them I am not interested, thank you very much, and close the door.
I'm not against anyone practicing their religion, but I am against them trying to push it on me.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
8 Apr 11
Don't answer your door anymore, if you have caught a glimpse of who they are. They will eventually get tired of knocking and being barked at , by your dogs.
Good thing, our house has a longer front yard and a gate . The dogs are there and would bark nonstop and crazily whenever someone touches the gate ! We could peep from the curtains whenever the dog barks , so we can hide if they are unwanted visitors. 
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
8 Apr 11
If they are that insistent, why not just pump up the volume of your TV or music player to let them know, yes, there is someone home BUT ain't going to open the door.
But what if these people were looking for help rather than soliciting? Would that make any difference? I mean if they are the same people, you would know they are solicitors or not, but what if they are new faces?
@dorthakay08 (68)
• United States
7 Apr 11
I can definitely understand your frustration especially when it comes to the JW's. I am too nice. I opened the door twice for them and they completely wasted my time, I was not interested but am too nice. BUT there are ways to be nice and let them know that you are not interested, nothing wrong with that. Put up signs such as beware of dog and no soliciting. No one wants to get eaten or bit by a dog! They make signs with a picture of a mean dog on the sign, I would get one of those!
