No Soliciting (price, dogs, outside, better)

[Sloaf]

Have you found that people ignore this sign on your house or posted at your subdivision? Arrgh!!

Today I had a kid who said "but I'm not soliciting"....and then proceeded to start telling me about his product. Last week I had a guy who rang the bell and when I answered he immediately said "I'm sorry, I saw your sign after I rang the bell, but I didn't want to doorbell ditch you". (I've got to admit -- this one was at least clever since I never heard it before. Still a bunch of hooey, but clever.) I've also had the religious solicitors try to argue with me that they are exempt....but they sure do back down and clear out of the community if you call the police.

So....members who are in the business: Do you teach your unsuspecting kids looking for a summer job what to say for each circumstance just so they can still make the approach? What other ones should we be on the lookout for?

Members in legal or law enforcement: What are our options, especially for posted "no soliciting" on individual houses? I know for the posted signs on community entrances you can call the police and by the time they arrive, the offending salespeople might still be in the neighborhood pestering someone else, so can be "counseled" on the spot. But for individual houses, what do we need in order to report them?

[jimboburnsy]

I try to politely disengage once. Then firmly attempt to disengage. Then you had better keep your fingers out of the door jamb. Requires no more than 30 seconds. If the doorbell rings again there will be a fire-extinguisher or a bucket of water answering it.

[Sloaf]

Yes...BUT...with the sign, they are not supposed to knock/ring bell in the first place. It's like being on the "do not call" list, but still having a telemarketer call you anyway.

(but I do like that idea of a bucket of water!)

[Ketabcha]

I look through the peep hole and if it is someone selling something then I just don't open the door.

If it is something really important then they can leave a written message.

[sayulita]

My "No Soliciting" sign is 8" wide and is right over the doorbell. Still everyone, almost, thinks they are the exception. I'm thinking of putting this up:

READ THIS BEFORE RINGING THE DOORBELL!

NO SOLICITING...

If you are here for our:

MONEY- for anything
SIGNATURE
OPINION
DONATION
VOTE
or SOUL

DO NOT RING THE DOORBELL!

IF WE DO NOT KNOW YOU OR ARE NOT EXPECTING YOU - DO NOT RING THE DOORBELL!!!!
(Unless you are under 12 years old and selling Girl Scout Cookies!)

Think that'll work??

[Mercury Cougar]

Originally Posted by Sloaf

I've also had the religious solicitors try to argue with me that they are exempt....but they sure do back down and clear out of the community if you call the police.

My sign says "Absolutely no soliciting, and no proselytizers!"

[Sloaf]

Originally Posted by sayulita

Think that'll work??

Haha....probably not! Because then you are going to get the "why Girl Scout cookies, and not Boy Scout popcorn" !

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by Sloaf

Have you found that people ignore this sign on your house or posted at your subdivision? Arrgh!!

Today I had a kid who said "but I'm not soliciting"....and then proceeded to start telling me about his product. Last week I had a guy who rang the bell and when I answered he immediately said "I'm sorry, I saw your sign after I rang the bell, but I didn't want to doorbell ditch you". (I've got to admit -- this one was at least clever since I never heard it before. Still a bunch of hooey, but clever.) I've also had the religious solicitors try to argue with me that they are exempt....but they sure do back down and clear out of the community if you call the police.

So....members who are in the business: Do you teach your unsuspecting kids looking for a summer job what to say for each circumstance just so they can still make the approach? What other ones should we be on the lookout for?

Members in legal or law enforcement: What are our options, especially for posted "no soliciting" on individual houses? I know for the posted signs on community entrances you can call the police and by the time they arrive, the offending salespeople might still be in the neighborhood pestering someone else, so can be "counseled" on the spot. But for individual houses, what do we need in order to report them?

Interesting subject. I like that clever reponse by that one idiot. You are kidding about calling the pigs because some one ignored your sign right? Ha...I thought so. The donut connoisseurs would never respond to a call like that.

Honestly I sic the dogs on them. The ones I hate are those who walk the streets and stuff things in your mailbox. Which is illegal. When I see them coming I stand outside and as they stop at my mailbox I give them a barrage of lanuage that you never heard before. It dont do any good though. It's a new kid every week doing it.

The religious people, I guess it is politically incorrect to say their name here, sometimes I start arguments with them. They will tell you that they have to recruit 666 new members within their lifetimes in order to go to heaven to meet the man on the moon. What hogwash.

[Avalanche 3.0]

OMG!!! I want to add that flyer are also soliciting, so PLEASE don't leave them tucking into my door frame!! Does the sign have to say "and this doesn't just mean hookers!!"

Hopefully y'all are laughing, this is a pet peave of mine, so I just HAD to add that!!

[CHTransplant]

I do have a few solicitors from time to time, but not many. I'd hate to put a sign out and miss all the kids selling stuff for boy scouts, girl scouts, band, etc. I always make it a point to try to buy something from them (except the ones selling magaizine subscriptions). And during campaign season I sort of like the visits from workers for various candidates. I guess the price for allowing that is I have to answer the door to the few other solicitors and politely brush them off. Not a big deal to me.