Do you get a lot of Door to Door Solicitors in your area? If so, how do you respond to them?
By Michelle
@infatuatedbby (94909)
United States
January 20, 2016 2:59pm CST
Do you get a lot of Door to Door Solicitors in your area? For example: People wanting to sell you products, tell you more about their organization (church, religion), want you to sign petitions, and etc.
And, the most annoying thing to me is - if the person rings the doorbell a few times and no one answers, why do you keep standing there? Clearly, if no one gets to the door that means they do not want to open the door for you!
But now a days, it is very dangerous to open the doors for strangers. I have seen on the news sometimes this is bait. They will have someone ring the door bell who looks very innocent and someone else will barge in.
Instead, if you do feel the need to respond you don't have to open your door - you can just say no thanks and the person will hear also.
But, I have to admit, there was a time when I was convinced on buying an educational book product that was sold by a teacher lady (though that was 10+ years ago when it was more safe.)
12 people like this
13 responses
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
20 Jan 16
we use to have those but sometimes criminals pretend to be solicitors just to robbed your home. Others use it as a form of syndicated scam even though they are poor, making the real solicitors for charity ignored and discriminated. but they can't blame us for being cautious or avoiding them literally all together
3 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
Yes, it is commonly here also! Criminals pretend to be solicitors and in the end they will rob your home, do harm, etc.
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
@pgiblett I wouldn't trust anyone in my home also.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
Yes, now a days we see the solicitors on our phones!
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
21 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby For anyone who calls at the door I simply and firmly tell them "We do not purchase from street hawkers".
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
@pgiblett You're very nice! I just say no thank you. But usually I just ignore the door though.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (190166)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Jan 16
We have gotten more the last few months than we ever have. We had the Kirby man and Century Link within the last two or three months.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (190166)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby ...With cell phones they can't really tell where people are without going door to door.
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I have been noticing more lately also. I have a lot of church ladies come by.
1 person likes this
@kevin1877uk (36987)
•
21 Jan 16
Not so much these days but some years ago there were more.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I guess now it's phone scams, telemarkets instead of door to door.
1 person likes this
@kevin1877uk (36987)
•
21 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby Yeah tell me about it, fed up with the phone calls.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
@kevin1877uk I don't pick up and block them all. 
1 person likes this
@T_gray (7772)
• Salina, Kansas
21 Jan 16
We get a lot selling magazine subscriptions. And of course the religion people trying to sell you on their religion. I really try not to answer the door to any of it, but it is really hard for me to know who is at the door. Plus I leave the main door open most of the time with the screen door closed, so they know someone is home then.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I haven't seen many magazine subscriptions in the area, but religion people are common here! Many are dressed up and ride bikes while some are in groups walking together.
Do you have a peep hole? I always look through the peep hole but I never open the door. Even if those people know you're home- do you still open the door?
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
@T_gray I guess peep holes aren't common for the area you live in. If it is obvious I am home, I just say no thank you through the door because I'm too afraid to open the door. If they're not selling anything, how do you approach them usually?
1 person likes this
@T_gray (7772)
• Salina, Kansas
21 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby I haven't had a peep hole in the last three houses I have lived at. I hate it. And yeah I do open the door if it is obvious that I am home. And I am too nice to get rid of them. I am getting better with the ones selling things, I just tell them that I have no money.
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I've only had one person come to my home. I didn't have the heart to ignore them so I invited them in, gave them some water, and let them talk. lol
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
Wow you are very nice and trustworthy of them. Did they end up selling the product to you?
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
21 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby Nope. lol I don't like to be rude or disrespectful so I will be kind to them and let them talk. If I'm not interested though, then I won't buy anything. :-)
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
23 Jan 16
Solicitors come to my gatedoor every now and then because they always think I am moneyed because I have a big house but most of them are scammers, this is why I disabled my doorbell because even while I am taking my much needed nap at noontime, they come over to disturb.
1 person likes this
@ricki_911 (21625)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Jan 16
No, not usually do we get anyone coming around ringing the door bell. I saw that on an article on Facebook about how they scope out the house, and items inside.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
24 Jan 16
That is good you have no one ringing the door bells. It could be a very dangerous situation.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
21 Jan 16
We live out in the country so it is rare for anyone to come out here.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
21 Jan 16
That is good! No annoyance or bother! 
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91217)
• United States
21 Jan 16
Luckily we don't have solicitors in our area so if my doorbell rings it's usually someone I know
1 person likes this
@Dalane (691)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I just tell them at the beginning if they have a brochure, I'll be happy to look at it when i have time but can't listen now. We used to get a lot of them but I think they tightened up the rules in our area so I don't see them much anymore.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
That is a good idea. Asking for a brochure and tell them you can't listen (which we all can't as we are all busy somehow)!
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
22 Jan 16
It's been years now since anyone came to our door soliciting. I think the last time was after a big snow when teenagers came offering to shovel. Come to think of it, with the blizzard that's coming, I hope those guys come back!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
22 Jan 16
That is awesome! Not one of those annoying solicitors! Hopefully the teenagers come back when it snows to shovel.
