Door-to-door salespeople (Brooklyn Park: sales, how much, townhouse)

[janetvj]

I wasn't sure where to post this but decided on the Maryland forum since that's where I live. Has anyone else had a problem with a huge increase in the volume of door-to-door salespeople ringing their doorbells? It has gotten past the point of just a minor annoyance. Every week I have a minimum of 5 or 6 interruptions from salespeople trying to sell me something I neither want nor need. And this doesn't even include the people "selling" their respective religions. It's home improvements, alarm systems, electricity, cable, newspapers, household products, etc., etc.

I mean, a decision on a major expenditure like replacing my windows or my roof wouldn't just occur to me on whim because someone came to my door and suggested it. I wonder how productive these type of cold calls really are for the vendor. I do feel bad for the salespeople themselves as I know jobs are hard to come by, but this particular job just seems like a terrible way to try to make a living.

I finally put up a "No Soliciting" sign which has cut down on the number of calls although they haven't stopped altogether.

I live in a townhouse development and that may be part of the reason. A salesperson can hit a lot of houses in a short period of time. And I'm semi-retired, and when I do work I usually work from home, so that may be why it's so noticeable to me.

Anyone else noticed this?

[westsideboy]

It is probably a "Gypsy" scam. Make sure the back door and basement door are locked while the guy at the front door distracts you.

[bande1102]

Yes, and my community has a no soliciting sign, too. I simply don't answer the door. I don't even bother to keep quiet inside, either. Eventually they leave.

[GermanShepherdMom]

I have a "no soliciting, no religious inquires" sign posted clearly on my front door. If they still knock, they're introduced to my German Shepherd

[janetvj]

Originally Posted by GermanShepherdMom

I have a "no soliciting, no religious inquires" sign posted clearly on my front door. If they still knock, they're introduced to my German Shepherd

I hear you! I have a 97 pound Rottweiller/Lab mix who is really a sweetheart, but luckily strangers don't know that. I'm working on the training, but she is a rescue, and since I didn't adopt her until she was a couple of years old, she still has problems with the "stay" command. Whenever anyone rings the bell she goes barreling toward the front door growling and barking like Stephen King's Cujo, and that does make them back down the walk. But unfortunately, it doesn't keep them from ringing the bell in the first place.

[Gerania]

I've had it for a while, but finally put the "Come Back With A Warrant" mat at the front door. I don't answer the door if I'm not expecting anyone.

[End-User]

These types of cold calls are actually pretty effective. I know someone who was going door to door selling window replacements and would get 10 "sales" a week. I put sales in quotes because someone esle in the company negotiated how much work would be done (if any) and at what cost. Anyway, any initial positive response to the solicitation was enough to get a commision and the work is a pretty good day job for a "starving artist" type who needs steady-ish income between gigs.

[(-)]

Most door-to-door sales people tend to go to communities with high numbers of seniors. you don't really see too many of them in younger neighborhoods.

[GermanShepherdMom]

Originally Posted by (-)

Most door-to-door sales people tend to go to communities with high numbers of seniors. you don't really see too many of them in younger neighborhoods.

Which my area is indeed.... Olde Brooklyn Park.

[GermanShepherdMom]

Originally Posted by janetvj

I hear you! I have a 97 pound Rottweiller/Lab mix who is really a sweetheart, but luckily strangers don't know that. I'm working on the training, but she is a rescue, and since I didn't adopt her until she was a couple of years old, she still has problems with the "stay" command. Whenever anyone rings the bell she goes barreling toward the front door growling and barking like Stephen King's Cujo, and that does make them back down the walk. But unfortunately, it doesn't keep them from ringing the bell in the first place.

Yeah same thing here