Door To Door Salesmen

[Kassee]

I am always answering the door to some young person, holding and showing me a written typed car with a small picture of themselves on (some sort of identity card) which could easily be home-made, and a bag on their back, and they want to sell something.

Sometimes they are out of work, or disabled, or young offenders (thats what they say) and the only time I thought I would buy something, they were selling dusters and the like, well over the price you would normally pay for a duster.

So who are these people, and where do they come from, is some firm sending them out to ply their trade door to door. Or are they potential burglars.

I have just shut the door to one of them, and it is 7.45 pm at night, dark, and we live in a quiet lane. Goodness know how scary that might be for some of the old people who live nearby. Any ideas on what I could do ?

[boxtops]

Put a notice on your door saying "I DO NOT BUY AT THE DOOR". Tell your local Community Police officer. They often are working for who they say they are, but for a pittance to give them some sense of social responsibility.

[gingejbee]

Well, just because someone knocks at your door does not mean you HAVE to answer it. If you're not expecting anyone to come round, simply ignore the knock - that's my advice to anyone, particularly the elderly.

[Mattk]

We get people from some childrens charity calling at our door. Had them twice now and I guess the idea is that because its a charity you won't shut the door in their face but its just hard selling - long sentences with no gaps

Told the last one if you leave me some details I'll take a look but they said they couldn't do that because what 'normally happens is that you fill out this form.....'

Good bye!

[wildwood]

I feel sorry for the few that are genuine, but door-to-door sales are a no-no here. If they have no pamphlet or cataloque, they are wasting their time here. Same as telephone begging or sales.

We have a couple of charities we support where we know that all the donations go to It's cause by unpaid volunteers. In the bigger charity business, by the time the 'operational costs' have been deducted there is hardly anything left for the promoted charity.

[pinkyboyid]

I would say you did the right thing.

Take a look at some articles that have appeared in the past:

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2011/11/03/young-offenders-salesman-scam-sparks-warning-in-warwickshire-92746-29712812/

http://www.london-probation.org.uk/about_us/door-to-door_scam.aspx

http://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/9505706.Ex_offenders_in_door_to_door_sales_scam/ (ignore the pop-up on this one, just click the browser reload / refresh icon )

[maggiebee]

The ones who really worry me are the children (sometimes quite young) who go from door to door asking for sponsors for a "silence" "walk" etc etc to raise money for their school. Anyone can type up a sponsor form and they often visit quite late. As a parent I'd be concerned.

[Kassee]

Thank you for your answers, especially your links Pinky, this is exactly what I have had in the past from callers. The worrying thing is that I do live in a lane, which is quite deserted and houses set fairly way back from each other. Also there are a lot of elderly people living in this lane, and it is very much off the main road. So it is odd for people to be walking up and down it in the dark, knocking on doors. Maybe I will contact the police - not sure how interested they will be tho !

[Kassee]

The problem with not answering the "knock on the door" ginge is they may just keep knocking. If they think no-one is at home - they might break in ! Anyway I was expecting my Tesco grocery delivery - just thought they had come a bit early - which was unusual !

[mallyh]

my oh put a camera intercom up for me as im alone a lot when his working so i don't even open the door ,i can see whose there and ask what they want.

[Kassee]

a camera intercom - that sounds good - what is it ?

[gingejbee]

Kassee: here is a video intercom, available at Maplin electronics. Others may be available cheaper - Amazon?

[gingejbee]

The link would be useful!

http://www.maplin.co.uk/doorphone-video-intercom-with-colour-lcd-monitor-636763

[mallyh]

it looks like a telephone with a small screen its also a door bell when someone rings bell i pick up handset, pushbutton and i can see and hear whose there when they talk its through the telephone earpiece and i can converse with them

[aelmpvw]

i can ignore unwanted knocks on my door but my dog can't ... and i have a sign saying no salesmen

[Kassee]

Thank you - I didnt know these things exsisted - sounds good - I will feel safer keeping the door shut !