How would you respond to an Adult going Door to Door Offering their services for minimum wage? (owner, references)

[limbo24]

If someone rang your doorbell and offered to clean, shovel snow, mow your lawn, walk your dog, or do anything you can think of under the sun for minimum wage an hour because they are ' desperate for work and need money', how would your respond.

for the sake of argument, let's say the person has ID or someway of proving with 100% certainty they have no criminal record, and in fact cannot/ will not cheat you in anyway. Would you attempt to find some kind of task for this person to do? Or would you simply slam your door in their face?

Also, what kind of reaction would a business owner, manager, or person in a hiring position have to someone who approaches them in this manner? Again, for the sake of argument let's say they have spotless references and a proven track record,although it is several years out of date.

[charlygal]

It would better to create a marketing piece (post card, flyers, etc) to put on doors, etc than to have a stranger show up at someone's door. Also put something on Craigslist.

[NJ Brazen_3133]

If someone approached me at my place of work and ask for minimum wage work, I would seriously consider it. My company is in need of someone to do lots of cleaning.

Lots of people do this, just not at private homes. They go into restaurants, stores, and what nots and just ask for work.

There are lots of house cleaners that do approach private homes, but just not in person. They put up flyers, or get referrals from people they already know.

[Hemlock140]

I would point out the "no soliciting sign" and ask to see their license. We have a law requiring all door-to-door people (even as in this case) to have a city permit, which is subject to a background check. If they knock at a home with a sign even with a permit they are fined.

[alanaj7]

In a residential setting people would be more cautious. In a professional environment they would be more open. It all depends on where you live too. Over the winter my sister kept hiring people from craigslist to shovel her driveway. I found my handyman on CL also and when any little thing needs fixing I call him.

Perhaps you could stick to one trade and build up your clientele. When people are happy with your service they'll refer you. I agree with Charlygal about the brochures or fliers. You could get good business this way. I use to place resume fliers up at local community boards and on CL. Very good business. I guy I know does well cleaning commercial windows in strip malls. Hope this helps.

[nicet4]

Originally Posted by limbo24

If someone rang your doorbell and offered to clean, shovel snow, mow your lawn, walk your dog, or do anything you can think of under the sun for minimum wage an hour because they are ' desperate for work and need money', how would your respond.

for the sake of argument, let's say the person has ID or someway of proving with 100% certainty they have no criminal record, and in fact cannot/ will not cheat you in anyway. Would you attempt to find some kind of task for this person to do? Or would you simply slam your door in their face?

Also, what kind of reaction would a business owner, manager, or person in a hiring position have to someone who approaches them in this manner? Again, for the sake of argument let's say they have spotless references and a proven track record,although it is several years out of date.

I wouldn't hire him but not for the reasons you might think of.

If you hire him and he gets hurt on the job who carries his workman's compensation insurance? It's like hiring the cheap guy to cut a tree down... if he gets hurt he could end up costing a fortune.

I need to hire a painter for the trim around my house. Maybe 4 hours work for which I would pay $25/hr but I can't find one that cheap that has everything I need to protect myself.

[BOS2IAD]

Originally Posted by nicet4

I wouldn't hire him but not for the reasons you might think of.

If you hire him and he gets hurt on the job who carries his workman's compensation insurance? It's like hiring the cheap guy to cut a tree down... if he gets hurt he could end up costing a fortune.

I need to hire a painter for the trim around my house. Maybe 4 hours work for which I would pay $25/hr but I can't find one that cheap that has everything I need to protect myself.

^This.

If the person isn't licensed, bonded and insured and s/he gets injured while working at your home, your homeowner's insurance won't cover the expenses. That comes out of your pocket.

I won't hire anyone who just rang my doorbell asking for work---and this includes the neighborhood kids who want to shovel your driveway and walk, mow your lawn or rake your leaves.

[Ih2puo]

Originally Posted by BOS2IAD

^This.

If the person isn't licensed, bonded and insured and s/he gets injured while working at your home, your homeowner's insurance won't cover the expenses. That comes out of your pocket.

I won't hire anyone who just rang my doorbell asking for work---and this includes the neighborhood kids who want to shovel your driveway and walk, mow your lawn or rake your leaves.

Who was the idiot that decided I have to pay for someone's injuries if they get hurt on my property?

[stan4]

Call the po po as instructed (by them) for anyone ringing a doorbell near a posted No Soliciting sign.

[missmc66]

I would advertise on craigslist. If a person is interested in your services they will call you.No need to waste your gas riding around knocking on doors and being rejected.