Door to door magazine sales (Alamo: house, neighborhood, buy)

[burgrat]

What's the story with these door to door magazine sales? I just spent the last 10 minutes listening to a sales pitch from a nice young man about purchasing magazine subscriptions to help him earn points, develop opportunities, etc. etc. The company is Inner City Sales, I think, and they usually send 1 or 2 teens door to door to sell the product. I've had them knock on my door twice in the past two years (I'm near Alamo Ranch). They seem nice enough, but there's no way I'd buy from someone going door to door. Is this a scam or is it legit?

[Merovee]

Best bet is to just not answer the door bell when they come.

Total scam, no doubt, is my guess.

[Lee W.]

Even if you do get the magazines, you're paying more that way than it would cost you to just to order them directly. Those magazine salespeople are usually young people that are recruited and trained in one area, then they're transported to different cities to solicit door-to-door. In some cases they use teenagers and treat them very poorly, then they MIGHT eventually get the money promised...or NOT. It's your house and your door. Say NO immediately before they begin their long-winded spiel and close the door!

[TexasRedneck]

NEVER fail to answer your door, unless you're prepared to have it kicked in by someone trying to find a place w/no one at home.

I open the door, and the second they open their mouth on a sales pitch, I firmly say "not interested - leave my premises" and close the door. If they're stupid enough to knock again, I call the cops - they have been told to leave, and are now guilty of trespassing.

[Paka]

I must agree in this day and age there is a fear that they MIGHT be casing to see if someone is home vs sales...you can always leave the door close, just say "not interested" thru the door and not even face them.

We live in a neighborhood where everyone calls the cops when someone even tries to solicit since it is posted private, gated, no solicitation....nothing like a bunch of "rule keepers" to rain on the "rule breakers" parade! LOL

[TangoUniform]

[TowBar]

I have these 2 signs posted at my front door. I also have a camera at the front door, so I can see anyone who approaches. Since putting up these signs, 99% of the solicitors have left us alone. It's funny to watch them approach, see the signs, and walk away without even ringing the door bell. On the rare occasion that one actually rings the bell, I usually approach with gun in hand where they can see if through the window. I never have to even open the door

[SabresFanInSA]

Originally Posted by TexasRedneck

NEVER fail to answer your door, unless you're prepared to have it kicked in by someone trying to find a place w/no one at home.

Can't agree enough with this. Dirtbags are just looking for an open opportunity.

Originally Posted by TexasRedneck

I open the door, and the second they open their mouth on a sales pitch, I firmly say "not interested - leave my premises" and close the door. If they're stupid enough to knock again, I call the cops - they have been told to leave, and are now guilty of trespassing.

This might be a little extreme. Usually when you tell them to go away they do.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

I have a no soliciting sign, but it seems like some of them don't understand it.

I don't usually open the door to them. My dog barks and growls whenever she hears a noise by the door...sometimes they don't even knock when they hear her.

I'm planning to get a screen door...the kind with bars...and then I'll be more likely to open the door to people I don't know, just so they know someone's home.

[Sonny Chiba57]

I use basically the same approach that TexasRedneck uses as soon as I find out they are selling something. I also have the problem with those that come around trying to "Save" me and convert to their religion. I tell them, "Thank you very much but no thank you. I am happy with my religion and plan to stay that way." I am not usually rude to door to door ppl unless they are relentless and don't get the idea that I am NOT interested.