Do you have many door to door sales people come to your home? If so, how do you treat them?

Question

I have noticed a huge increase in the number of door to door salespeople since the economy has crashed. I suspect that many of them were once working in regular jobs with an office and maybe even a secretary and a fancy title but now are forced to do something terrible like door to door sales.

Are you friendly and polite to door to door salespeople, or do you feel it is your right to be aburpt and rude to them because you did not ask them to come to your door?

Have you noticed an increase in door to door sales in your neighborhood?

Answer 1

I have not noticed an increase in my area, for which I am grateful.

However, when one shows up on my door, I am polite. After all, they are just doing a job. I am brief and to the point, and politely say that I am not interested. I usually say something like "Thanks for stopping by, though." I smile and close the door.

There is no need to be harsh and rude, especially to someone that is just trying to make a living.

Answer 2

I am polite and respectful of them as a person.  If I am not interested in their product, I simply say, "No thank you" and go back inside.   If they are repeat annoyers after I've already said no before, then I either do not go to the door at all or simply repeat that I am not interested and close the door.   I haven't seen an increase in door to door sales, except among teens looking to mow my yard, but I have seen a lot of JWs and LDS visitors lately.

Answer 3

Thankfully, I live in a locked building, so no one gets to my door.

However, I used to live in an open building.  I did my best to be polite, but do not let anyone in and do not listen to sales pitches.  However, I will not tolerate religious door-to-door types.  A salesman is trying to make a living, the religious folks are just irritating.

Answer 4

None

Answer 5

I did notice a recent increase in not only sales people but people bringing around religious information. I just stuck a little note right beside the doorbell that said no soliciting of any kind and that has stopped all of the visitors.

Answer 6

we get a lot of jehovah's witnesses, students w/questionnaires (i live near a college) and somtimes people selling stuff.  personally, i don't like to be disturbed by strangers ringing my doorbell when i am at home...i work full time and am selfish about my time off.  if the doorbell rings and i'm not expecting anyone or a delivery, i look out a small window to see who's there & if i don't like what i see, i don't answer the door.  period.  i refused to be harassed at home. it's my perogative.

Answer 7

I am friendly and polite to door to door sales people, a smile and polite treatment are just polite and cost nothing. I do tell them immediately that I don't want to waste their time, as I am not interested in buying anything at all. I then smile politely and shut my door.

Answer 8

i don't know if the number has gone up or down.  i'm still receiving the same amount of fliers rubber banded to my front door.  when i used to be home and door to door salesman knocked on the door, i just didn't answer it.

Answer 9

I try to be nice to everyone and that includes salesman. I have not noticed an increase though, thank God.

Answer 10

I try to be polite,but not OVERLY friendly.I usually tell them that I am busy at the moment,and/or don't have a need at the present time for their product/service.I think being polite to people,regardless of what the situation is comes naturally anyway to genuine polite people!:) and no,I have not noticed an increase where I live(in GA.) Who knows, the way the economy is falling these days, I may find myself in their position one day.

Answer 11

I have not noticed an increase. I know they are decent hardworking people and I feel for them. However, they are trained to take excessive kindness as a sign they can take advantage of you. The nicer you are the more of your time they will waste for a product you don't want or need, and they're rewarded for being pushy. I figure everyone deserves a smile and a polite "how are you?" so I say this when they ask how I am. Then when they launch into their schpiel I quietly say "I'm not interested, thanks," and close the door. They don't deserve me to be rude but they also don't deserve hours of my time.

Answer 12

you know, you're right.

I always treat them with curtesy when I am kicking their butts (joking)

just remember, its your choice if you open your front door or not!

just try and answer their questions with a completely obscure answer.

it takes a little practice, but it is worth the effort.

the good sales guys will rise to the bait, those who are only reciting from a memorised sales pitch will soon give up.

If they ask lots of open questions, just start EVERY sentence with the word "no"., even if your complete answer is in the affirmative!

Answer 13

No, I have not seen an increase lately.  I have a peep hole in my door- and I use it.  They were invented for this type of situation.  Someone knocks on my door or rings my bell, and I look thru the peep hole.  If the person on the other side of my door is not someone I know or care to know, I don't even acknowledge their presence.  It's not only a rudeness issue, it can be a safety issue (for me, or anyone).

Answer 14

I have never had salespeople come to my door in all of 20+ years, except for the occasional girl scout.

I sold fundraising stuff door-to-door as a kid.

I applied for a job as a Cutco door-to-door salesman, and they don't go to random doors-- the only clients are people who you know and friends they've referred you to.

I concluded that nobody just shows up unannounced due to people's fears that a salesman could be a criminal in disguise. All the home-salesmen I know require you to set up an appointment before they come. They'll advertise to come to your home, but you have to tell them ok first.

If someone came to my door, I'd politely tell them I'm not interested, and if they pushed, I'd say I had to leave for work soon and call over my shoulder, "really, don't bother coming back! I'm just not ready at this time!" Even if I was interested in the product, I'd be worried that this was actually a criminal in disguise.

One should always be polite to EVERYONE. It would make you a rude person to be rude to others, even if you feel they are infringing on you in some way.