Solicitors and uninvited house "visitors"
- Thread starter Sean Dempsey
- Start date
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wuchak
Member
You can get rid of the majority of those calls by signing up for the national do not call registry. We signed up for it and calls dropped from multiple each day to about one a month.
https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
FAQ's http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dncalrt.htm
Keith Wheeler
Member
Wearing a Star of David does wonders in driving off these folks. Kind of like crucifixes and vampires...
Excellent reason to leave Frisco for Arizona!
Never had too much of a problem. The no soliciting sign seems to stop the majority. Otherwise, I just look out the window and decide if I want to answer the door. Having had to sell stuff when I was in Boy Scouts, I will usually open the door for kids selling stuff. If my wife is home alone, she won't answer the door at all, unless it is someone that she knows.
I think a simple sign will stop most of them.
I think my dad used to like the LDS and Jehovah's Witnesses that came by from time to time. He would try to convert them. He was a preacher and did not think highly of such cults, and was well versed in the bible, and was generally able to stand toe to toe with them in any discussion they might chose to engage in.
I think my dad used to like the LDS and Jehovah's Witnesses that came by from time to time. He would try to convert them. He was a preacher and did not think highly of such cults, and was well versed in the bible, and was generally able to stand toe to toe with them in any discussion they might chose to engage in.
nucstl1
Member
This always works
I work from home and regulary open carry. I had a scruffy guy come to my door last year selling security systems. When he saw the .45 on my hip, he understood that I had home protection covered and moved on.
I work from home and regulary open carry. I had a scruffy guy come to my door last year selling security systems. When he saw the .45 on my hip, he understood that I had home protection covered and moved on.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I usually let uninvited visitors make the mistake of ringing the doorbell. It drives the dogs INSANE. When the UIG (UnInvitedGuest) hears multiple dogs snarling and barking, most of 'em stumble back down the front steps as fast as they can backpedal. They certainly don't get belligerent with me, since they can hear hundreds of pounds of canine fury right behind the door.
The local kids selling fundraiser stuff know better (our dogs are oversized lapdogs and only the sound of the doorbell drives them crazy). I make a point of rewarding the sprog's willingness to put down the Nintendo and actually go door-to-door with a small order.
The local kids selling fundraiser stuff know better (our dogs are oversized lapdogs and only the sound of the doorbell drives them crazy). I make a point of rewarding the sprog's willingness to put down the Nintendo and actually go door-to-door with a small order.
p35
Member
I had a couple JWs come by last week. When they started trying to tell me about their tract about the end of the world, I said "Lady, I'm a Buddhist. I don't believe in any of that nonsense." Got a big 
. Then she said something about how they respect other religions, and I said "fine" and shut the door.
I guess that's one way to shut them up.
. Then she said something about how they respect other religions, and I said "fine" and shut the door. I guess that's one way to shut them up.
Speaking as one who had his handguns stolen in a burglary years ago, I find the idea of letting the UIG know you have firearms a bad one.
When I was burgled, the thief took the handguns and only the handguns, bypassing cameras and even the large "loose change" jar.
The responding officer informed me that in 90% of such cases, the thief knew in advance that guns were on the premises.
So no, I don't have any guns long or short. Not me. Just be sure to wear your Kevlar when you break into my home...
When I was burgled, the thief took the handguns and only the handguns, bypassing cameras and even the large "loose change" jar.
The responding officer informed me that in 90% of such cases, the thief knew in advance that guns were on the premises.
So no, I don't have any guns long or short. Not me. Just be sure to wear your Kevlar when you break into my home...
ChopperKen
Member
I've found that women telemarketers hang up don't call back if you use your best uncle pervy voice and ask them what color panties their wearing ...
The guys hang up even faster!
I used to have a problem with the JW waking me up(2nd shift at the time)
even after putting up signs.
One Saturday morning I made a trip on my Harley to their Kingdom hall during service,
Walked up the isle and asked very loudly who was the a$$#@!& that kept
sending them over to my house.
Never had a problem after that.
...The guys hang up even faster!
I used to have a problem with the JW waking me up(2nd shift at the time)
even after putting up signs.
One Saturday morning I made a trip on my Harley to their Kingdom hall during service,
Walked up the isle and asked very loudly who was the a$$#@!& that kept
sending them over to my house.
Never had a problem after that.
btsyshsbnd
Member
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2006
- Messages
- 30
whenever I have uninvited "guests" come to my porch to try and sell me something, be it merchandise or religion I always tell them they strike me as a sharp person who could probably use some extra money, and have they ever heard of amway? I'm starting a meeting in a few minutes and invite them in. In 20 yrs I've never had anyone take me up on my invite.
TallPine
Member
We don't really have that much trouble here .... just too remote I guess.
We did have the JW's come by once, which really surprised me. I just stood on my deck with my sidearm plainly visible and told them I wasn't interested. They haven't been back
The "Hoots" came by a few times selling meat and produce. We actually bought some stuff from them, but it is not exactly cheap and they always seem to stop by the day after we come back from shopping in town.
Nevertheless, I treat any stranger as suspicious. I don't open the door directly, but either go out as soon as I hear a vehicle coming up our long drive, greeting them before they get to the house, or I go out a door on the far side and come around the corner of the house.
Only had to run off one bunch in 3.5 yrs ... a couple guys who described themselves as friends of our infamous ex-neighbor, whereupon I promptly told them to get the **** off my land. It took a few minutes of back and forth before they got the message and left. I almost drew on them to make the point; I just happened to be wearing a wool shirt untucked at that time.
But 99% of the time I recognize the vehicle and there is no problem.
We did have the JW's come by once, which really surprised me. I just stood on my deck with my sidearm plainly visible and told them I wasn't interested. They haven't been back
The "Hoots" came by a few times selling meat and produce. We actually bought some stuff from them, but it is not exactly cheap and they always seem to stop by the day after we come back from shopping in town.
Nevertheless, I treat any stranger as suspicious. I don't open the door directly, but either go out as soon as I hear a vehicle coming up our long drive, greeting them before they get to the house, or I go out a door on the far side and come around the corner of the house.
Only had to run off one bunch in 3.5 yrs ... a couple guys who described themselves as friends of our infamous ex-neighbor, whereupon I promptly told them to get the **** off my land. It took a few minutes of back and forth before they got the message and left. I almost drew on them to make the point; I just happened to be wearing a wool shirt untucked at that time.
But 99% of the time I recognize the vehicle and there is no problem.
entropy
Member
You're LDS and you're complaining about unwanted solicitors?
What goes around comes around. Karmic Law in action.
What goes around comes around. Karmic Law in action.
Sean Dempsey
Member
entropy - I am not LDS, I am not a member of any religion. I pointed out that the missionaries who came by were non-LDS, since living in Southern Utah, there's a high percentage of LDS people where I live. "missionary" = LDS, so around here you have to specify if it's another religion.
Mormon missionaries, around here at least, I haven't had a problem with. I think they figure since my house literally borders a mormon church, if I want to ask questions, I know where to go.
Mormon missionaries, around here at least, I haven't had a problem with. I think they figure since my house literally borders a mormon church, if I want to ask questions, I know where to go.
entropy
Member
Mea Culpa. Still I think it's kind of ironic, a largely LDS community having to deal with solicitors.
Still I think it's kind of ironic, a largely LDS community having to deal with solicitors.Sean Dempsey
Member
no problem.
To bring this around back towards my original topic: I am going to get some of those standard "no solicitors" signs and put them on my front wall and door.
Also, I will +1 the idea of not broadcasting your weaponry. I have a choice, either have people violate me/my home without knowing I am armed, or they KNOW I am armed (via my advertising it) and then attack appropriatley.
I'd rather surprise more badguys with a gun, then have less badguys plan their attack around my gun. (if that makes sense). Same with my dog. If they know a huge german shepherd is gonna greet them when I'm out of town, they arrive with hotdogs, pepper spray, or rat-poison put in raw hamburger. If they don't know theres a dog, hopefully they are startled enough to rethink their choice of career that night.
To bring this around back towards my original topic: I am going to get some of those standard "no solicitors" signs and put them on my front wall and door.
Also, I will +1 the idea of not broadcasting your weaponry. I have a choice, either have people violate me/my home without knowing I am armed, or they KNOW I am armed (via my advertising it) and then attack appropriatley.
I'd rather surprise more badguys with a gun, then have less badguys plan their attack around my gun. (if that makes sense). Same with my dog. If they know a huge german shepherd is gonna greet them when I'm out of town, they arrive with hotdogs, pepper spray, or rat-poison put in raw hamburger. If they don't know theres a dog, hopefully they are startled enough to rethink their choice of career that night.
Mormon missionaries should just leave if you tell them you're not interested. That is what they are supposed to do. They aren't supposed to harrass you or cause any trouble. Sadly we've got our dumbasses, like every other single organization in the history of the world.
And yes, we're a cult of 12 million people.
Look guys, I've been there, done that, on both sides of this fence. The "god squad" people are doing what they think they are supposed to do. And yes, some of them are rude morons. Somehow doofuses manage to sneak into every single group.
And for the answer the door naked, show them a gun, tube of KY, whatever, those things usually made me laugh and broke up the monotony. I had a great time. I loved people with senses of humor.
As soon as somebody said they weren't interested, I said thanks for your time, and boogied out of there.
I can't speak for the other religious types, but the Mormons are there because they're trying to do what they think they are supposed to do. For most of us who choose to do that kind of thing, we go someplace far from home for 2 years, usually from the age of 19-21. We aren't allowed to do pretty much anything fun. One day off a week to do laundry/run errands, etc. The rest of the time you work/teach/find people to teach. No dating. No TV. No non-church music. Nada.
Now the door to door stuff is called tracting. Tracting sucks. The main reason that LDS missionaries tract is because there currently isn't ANYTHING else more effective to do. But it beats twiddling your thumbs, and for most of us, we went on a mission because we wanted to work. And occasionally, seldomly, you actually find somebody who wants you to teach them.
It has been 10 years since I've gotten home from mine. It was tough. I got shot at, attacked by dogs, chased by drug dealers, and hit by a car. A lot of times it sucked. But I had fun.
If you are treated rudely by LDS missionaries, and they don't leave when you say you aren't interested, or they are just jerks, or whatever, and I'm dead serious here, send me a PM with your town, general location (neighborhood will do) and the date, and I'll take care of it. I will contact their mission president and let him know that his Elders are setting a bad example.
But please, make sure they are Mormons first. I found that about 95% of the time when somebody was really ticked off at us they were thinking about a different religion. (for example, the guy who posted above about the cute girl his age who spat on him when he said he was Catholic. News flash. If she was by herself, then she wasn't a Mormon. Mormons never work alone).
Wow, this is massively off topic. I'm not setting a very moderatorial example here. Sorry.
And yes, we're a cult of 12 million people.
Look guys, I've been there, done that, on both sides of this fence. The "god squad" people are doing what they think they are supposed to do. And yes, some of them are rude morons. Somehow doofuses manage to sneak into every single group.
And for the answer the door naked, show them a gun, tube of KY, whatever, those things usually made me laugh and broke up the monotony. I had a great time. I loved people with senses of humor.
As soon as somebody said they weren't interested, I said thanks for your time, and boogied out of there.
I can't speak for the other religious types, but the Mormons are there because they're trying to do what they think they are supposed to do. For most of us who choose to do that kind of thing, we go someplace far from home for 2 years, usually from the age of 19-21. We aren't allowed to do pretty much anything fun. One day off a week to do laundry/run errands, etc. The rest of the time you work/teach/find people to teach. No dating. No TV. No non-church music. Nada.
Now the door to door stuff is called tracting. Tracting sucks. The main reason that LDS missionaries tract is because there currently isn't ANYTHING else more effective to do. But it beats twiddling your thumbs, and for most of us, we went on a mission because we wanted to work. And occasionally, seldomly, you actually find somebody who wants you to teach them.
It has been 10 years since I've gotten home from mine. It was tough. I got shot at, attacked by dogs, chased by drug dealers, and hit by a car. A lot of times it sucked. But I had fun.
If you are treated rudely by LDS missionaries, and they don't leave when you say you aren't interested, or they are just jerks, or whatever, and I'm dead serious here, send me a PM with your town, general location (neighborhood will do) and the date, and I'll take care of it. I will contact their mission president and let him know that his Elders are setting a bad example.
But please, make sure they are Mormons first.
I found that about 95% of the time when somebody was really ticked off at us they were thinking about a different religion. (for example, the guy who posted above about the cute girl his age who spat on him when he said he was Catholic. News flash. If she was by herself, then she wasn't a Mormon. Mormons never work alone).Wow, this is massively off topic. I'm not setting a very moderatorial example here. Sorry.
Depending on where you live, answering the door with a gun visible can be cause for arrest. Here's one incident from Akron, Ohio.
I can't show you the whole article because they want $2.95, but I remember when this happened. Her husband was out of town and she was alone with her baby.
I can't show you the whole article because they want $2.95, but I remember when this happened. Her husband was out of town and she was alone with her baby.
The Guy
Member
My wife has her number in the book under a ficticious name. Her phone company set it up for her that way upon her request. The billing and such all comes in her name, but any "lists" and the phone book all have the "funny" name attached. So when ever the call for "Mr./Mrs. Campe" comes in, she knows its a B.S. type call.
When she is in a good mood, the instant reply is "Please take my name off your call list." When she is in a foul mood, it can get very nasty indeed, but the bright side is that it really gives her a good vent for her anger. The sales people are always suprised when she knows they are trying to sell before the speil gets out of their mouth.
When she is in a good mood, the instant reply is "Please take my name off your call list." When she is in a foul mood, it can get very nasty indeed, but the bright side is that it really gives her a good vent for her anger. The sales people are always suprised when she knows they are trying to sell before the speil gets out of their mouth.
Deanimator
Member
I never answer the front door without my Chief's Special in my pocket. I enjoy taunting Nazis on usenet and have gotten quite a few [impotent] threats.
One day last year I was fixing dinner or something early one evening when my doorbell rang. I almost NEVER get unannounced guests, so I put the Model 36 in my hip pocket and walked out my apartment door. Halfway to the lobby, I was confronted by the crazy woman who had previously berated me for taking her clothes out of the washer after she'd left them there for over an hour after they were finished. She started screeching, "Call the police, call the police, call the police!" I asked her, "Why?" She just kept babbling to call the police and I kept asking why. She finally stopped gibbering long enough to tell me that there was a guy ringing all of the doorbells, trying to "social engineer" his way in with a BS story about wanting to see somebody who didn't actually live in the building. I walked around the corner, and sure enough, there was a "Meth-Billy" looking guy standing in the lobby.
I went back into my apartment, called the cops, and waited for them to show up. While I wouldn't entrust my life to ANY cops or 911, the Rocky River cops are pretty good about response time. When I came back out to check, the guy was gone. A few minutes later, the cops showed up. I explained what had happened, and pointed them in the direction of the nutcase, since she'd talked to the guy and I hadn't. They walked around, looking for the guy. They didn't find him on the property, and I never saw him again. Nobody, cops or dingaling, were the wiser that I was packing heat.
As far as telemarketers go, I never answer the phone anyway, screening all my calls via answering machine. Back when I did answer the phone, I got a call from a girl selling magazine subscription. Without hearing her speil, I told her, "You don't have anything I want." Surprised, she said, "But you haven't even heard what magazines we have!" I told her, "I already know you don't have what I want." "What magazines do you want?" she said, with annoying perkiness.
"Do you have International Defense Review?"
"No."
"Do you have Jane's Defense Monthly?"
No."
Do you have Jane's Defense Weekly?"
"No."
"Do you have Armies and Nations?"
"No."
"Do you have Soldat und Teknik?"
"No."
"Do you have Red Star, the magazine of the Red Army?"
"No."
"See, I told you you don't have any magazines I want."
"We have Field and Stream..."
"<click>"
One day last year I was fixing dinner or something early one evening when my doorbell rang. I almost NEVER get unannounced guests, so I put the Model 36 in my hip pocket and walked out my apartment door. Halfway to the lobby, I was confronted by the crazy woman who had previously berated me for taking her clothes out of the washer after she'd left them there for over an hour after they were finished. She started screeching, "Call the police, call the police, call the police!" I asked her, "Why?" She just kept babbling to call the police and I kept asking why. She finally stopped gibbering long enough to tell me that there was a guy ringing all of the doorbells, trying to "social engineer" his way in with a BS story about wanting to see somebody who didn't actually live in the building. I walked around the corner, and sure enough, there was a "Meth-Billy" looking guy standing in the lobby.
I went back into my apartment, called the cops, and waited for them to show up. While I wouldn't entrust my life to ANY cops or 911, the Rocky River cops are pretty good about response time. When I came back out to check, the guy was gone. A few minutes later, the cops showed up. I explained what had happened, and pointed them in the direction of the nutcase, since she'd talked to the guy and I hadn't. They walked around, looking for the guy. They didn't find him on the property, and I never saw him again. Nobody, cops or dingaling, were the wiser that I was packing heat.
As far as telemarketers go, I never answer the phone anyway, screening all my calls via answering machine. Back when I did answer the phone, I got a call from a girl selling magazine subscription. Without hearing her speil, I told her, "You don't have anything I want." Surprised, she said, "But you haven't even heard what magazines we have!" I told her, "I already know you don't have what I want." "What magazines do you want?" she said, with annoying perkiness.
"Do you have International Defense Review?"
"No."
"Do you have Jane's Defense Monthly?"
No."
Do you have Jane's Defense Weekly?"
"No."
"Do you have Armies and Nations?"
"No."
"Do you have Soldat und Teknik?"
"No."
"Do you have Red Star, the magazine of the Red Army?"
"No."
"See, I told you you don't have any magazines I want."
"We have Field and Stream..."
"<click>"
Exmasonite
Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 561
Usually, if i'm inside, i never open the door. I explain that my dogs are rather aggressive (as they're barking their heads off).
I've debated making jokes like,
"Sir/ma'am, when were you last vaccinated for TB and airborne herpes? i'm under quarantine and the health department says i shouldn't open the door to anybody unless the person is current."
If i'm outside (caught doing lawn work, which i'll say almost NEVER happens b/c if i see a stranger, i head for the house), there are a couple of thoughts...
On a couple of occasions, i act all interested in what they're saying and then say, "Wait!! let me go get my fiance. she's really gonna want to hear this." At which point I go inside, close and lock the door and let the dogs do the talking.
I've also debated letting one of the dogs out "accidentally" (they're actually pretty friendly, just rather forceful) and yelling, "Oh no! he's loose... RUN!" My dogs will think it's a game and chase the person but i'll be able to call them back.
i definitely recommend the big dog.
I've debated making jokes like,
"Sir/ma'am, when were you last vaccinated for TB and airborne herpes? i'm under quarantine and the health department says i shouldn't open the door to anybody unless the person is current."
If i'm outside (caught doing lawn work, which i'll say almost NEVER happens b/c if i see a stranger, i head for the house), there are a couple of thoughts...
On a couple of occasions, i act all interested in what they're saying and then say, "Wait!! let me go get my fiance. she's really gonna want to hear this." At which point I go inside, close and lock the door and let the dogs do the talking.
I've also debated letting one of the dogs out "accidentally" (they're actually pretty friendly, just rather forceful) and yelling, "Oh no! he's loose... RUN!" My dogs will think it's a game and chase the person but i'll be able to call them back.
i definitely recommend the big dog.
NineseveN
member
Correia said:
Actually, I think it was a rather good post.
My wife and I moved out in the boonies in 2001, only neighbor for miles around is her Mom. We moved on a Wednesday and on Saturday morning I swear the door bell was ringing and the JW were at it. She answered the door and they started their pitch. She stopped them and asked if they saw the sign on the road coming up the mountain? Yes. What did it say? No Trespassing. Believe it or not that applies to YOU, leave, don't come back and don't bother my mother next door either! Doors slams in their faces and they walk off mumbling.
We don't get very many door to door people in my neighborhood at all. However when the rare one does show up its usually on a saturday afternoon when I'm out washing the car/doing yard work etc.
The best preventative for an unwanted salesman is a water hose with a good spray nozzle and a good amount of water pressure. Yes I have used it and yes it works.
I had some guy peddling some wonder cleaner walking around with a toothbrush and a bottle. He stopped and before he even began his sell, I told him thanks but not interested. I started to go back to washing the car and he just didn't take no for an answer. He pleaded with me to let him take some of the stains off my driveway and I told him thanks but no. Well he kept on and started to unscrew the cap and switched over to a sterner tone and told him not to poor any of his crap on my driveway. He told me that it was going to be fine, biodegradable and all that stuff, and started to pour it.
Well, I was mildly ticked, reached for my deep concealment water hose, cleared squeege and had a nice long stream center of mass.
Needless to say he wasn't too thrilled. A couple of other neighbors saw what happened and told the guy he wasn't going to make a sale anywhere on our street that day.
I'm not suggesting that every stranger at the door should be met with a stream of water. I was just a singular event on a day where everything sort of fell into place.
The best preventative for an unwanted salesman is a water hose with a good spray nozzle and a good amount of water pressure.
Yes I have used it and yes it works.I had some guy peddling some wonder cleaner walking around with a toothbrush and a bottle. He stopped and before he even began his sell, I told him thanks but not interested. I started to go back to washing the car and he just didn't take no for an answer. He pleaded with me to let him take some of the stains off my driveway and I told him thanks but no. Well he kept on and started to unscrew the cap and switched over to a sterner tone and told him not to poor any of his crap on my driveway. He told me that it was going to be fine, biodegradable and all that stuff, and started to pour it.
Well, I was mildly ticked, reached for my deep concealment water hose, cleared squeege and had a nice long stream center of mass.
Needless to say he wasn't too thrilled. A couple of other neighbors saw what happened and told the guy he wasn't going to make a sale anywhere on our street that day.
I'm not suggesting that every stranger at the door should be met with a stream of water. I was just a singular event on a day where everything sort of fell into place.
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