Door-to-door solicitors (Chesapeake, Manassas, Fairfax: house, schools, college)

[TPL]

Have any of you recently come across those teens/young adults knocking on doors seeking money for "Books for inner-city kids' schools"? At my family's place in Fairfax Co. it's not uncommon to see those save the Chesapeake types, sometimes Jehovah's Witnesses, but every so often groups are driven in from Manassas and D.C. trying to cop money. I was told by the person answering the door that the guy today did have a license, but I'm just curious if anyone else has been dealing with them recently? The dude acted fairly prissy as well when the offer was turned down, but oh well, his loss.

[merlinflex]

In Texas, where I am from, we just answer the door with our rifle or gun in hand. The rarely ever come back and problem is solved.

[ChristineVA]

In the past, yes, but not recently. I wouldn't know anymore, though, because I no longer answer my door anymore. No one I know and like comes to my house without me knowing about it beforehand, so when the doorbell rings, I just don't answer it. Got burned by weirdo solicitors too many times.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

In the past, yes, but not recently. I wouldn't know anymore, though, because I no longer answer my door anymore. No one I know and like comes to my house without me knowing about it beforehand, so when the doorbell rings, I just don't answer it. Got burned by weirdo solicitors too many times.

We do the same. There's no social obligation to answer the door when a stranger knocks/rings.

[ICS67]

If you live in Fairfax County, there's actually a very easy way to get rid of solicitors at your door: ask to see their Fairfax County Solicitor's License. There's a very good explanation of it, complete with a sample license, at Door-to-Door Solicitors*- Fairfax County, Virginia. I've yet to meet a solicitor who's had one. Technically, you can even report them to the police non-emergency number (and I've heard that unlicensed solicitors get one warning and are told to leave the area), but I've never done that, since a lot of them look like college students just trying to earn a few bucks by drumming up business for home repair companies. But it's a great way to get rid of royal pains such as the woodchucks who look like they just stepped off of the film set for "Deliverance". I've had more than one such character tell me their license "was in the truck" and then just promptly drive away.

[kieplangdu]

I open the door wearing my birthday suit.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by kieplangdu

I open the door wearing my birthday suit.

Your suit has wrinkles.

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by ICS67

If you live in Fairfax County, there's actually a very easy way to get rid of solicitors at your door

They go away even faster if you don't answer. Why would I get to argument with someone over a solicitor's license? If you feel obligated to answer just cut off their spiel, tell them you aren't interested, and go back in and close the door.

hello sir are you the primary homeowner

[chocolatelover]

I put up a no soliciting sign by my front door. Has worked for the most part so far! Otherwise I don't answer the door.

[spencgr]

Move to the country.....no solicitors at all!! Occasionally I get a random neighbor bringing over veggies or cookies, bot no one selling anything.

(Admittedly, I did always have "fun" when the LDS kids would knock on my door - kept them going for quite some time, but not having any solicitors is quite preferable.)