Have you had someone come to your door selling childrens reading material recently?

[Blondie]

We have frequent door-to-door sales people. It's gotten to the point that if I don't recognize the person, I simply don't answer the door anymore. I will, however, answer the door if it's a boy or girl scout, but that's it.

 

[dizagain]

It never fails...they always find me at home!! I have a hard time getting rid of them because I try to be polite too much. Even those crazy phone soliciters - if I actually answer, I always wait for a pause and say "no thank you" because they are doing their job. I KNOW I"M DUMB!

The last one we had was selling these big volumes of educational books that did look really nice. When I said there was no way I was buying any, she said she gets credit for talking to me, so I let her. UGH...WILL I NEVER LEARN??? She was quite irritated with me when I still didn't buy anything and asked for my neighbor kids names so she could use them when she went to their house. Now, even I wouldn't go so far! I told her I didn't know if there were even any kids around and good-bye. She asked if she could use my name with my neighbors (I never told her) too, but again I said no...

I can't stand these people coming to the door...I try not to answer, but unfortunately, you can see part of my lliving area and whole kitchen from the front door. There's no hiding!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Creepy. Haven't heard of anything like this up here but I will warn my neighbors with kids to be on the lookout.

Do these people actually think persisting when people are annoyed will WORK as a sales tactic???

 

[Jenn]

We have had these kids here in Central Mass too. This one was very persistant. Dropping neighbors names, "I talked with Lois and Jim and they mentioned you had school aged children". I had people arriving in 5 minutes for dinner and I told him that. He came back a few days later and I simply didn't answer the door. We were walking around in the house, so could probably hear we were home - seems to have gotten the hint. I have seen him walking around another neighboorhood in town that I was driving through. I am not at all comfortable with a 20 year old man selling stuff coming to my door. I am home alone with my 2 young daughters. Doesn't this company realize that in this day and age, that freaks people out?

 

[2angelsinheaven]

We had a girl with a thick english accent stop by about a month ago. She told me that so and so from down the street said we were nice people, etc... first I don't know any of the neighbors yet, but ummm okay! Then she asked my kids ages, I replied to her that I didn't have any, she then pointed to the outdoor toys, I told her they were my friend's children and they were trying to sleep. She then asked their ages and I told her No WAY! She kept pressing asking what kind of car my friend drove so she could know when to stop by later, etc... what kind of kids the neighbors had, what cars they drove, etc. CREEPY! I shut the door and told her to get lost....

 

[lightningcoach]

It's actually a legit company, Southwestern Company, that has been in business a very long time. They heavily recruit on college campuses here and abroad with the idea that the college student will earn enough money for next year's semester. We had a girl from Croatia come around this summer. They are taught how to drop neighbor's names and go to homes that have children there. They have to pay their own way to the country, pay their own rent and then they have to work 6-7 days a week sun up to sundown to try to sell the materials. The books actually aren't bad, but I felt they are overpriced. The students act as their own sub-contractors so the company doesn't pay them a salary.

I feel that they almost trick the kids into going to new places, seeing new things, but being a slave to selling books. I guess it does teach the kids to be resourceful and be their own boss.
I also think that for some it is a culture difference since most Europeans are much more comfortable being direct with strangers. I didn't feel it was very safe for this girl to be going into stranger's houses, but they teach the women not to enter a house unless another woman's present.

Don't be creeped out. They are just trying to go to school. It's too bad we live in an age when we are afraid of everyone who knocks on our door.

 

[MelessaG]

Well, I guess this means I should quit being annoyed at our neighbors down the street for sending the salesgirl to our house. She probably just dropped their names because she was trained to do it.

 

[my3kids]

A young man came a few weeks ago. WAY too friendly and familiar. Name dropped like crazy...... people I know and other families in the neighborhood. He was selling "Educational Resources" for parents....text book like things with answers to common school questions. I asked him what company he worked for and he had a lanyard on with the name. It was a familiar name, but not in the publishing business, so I guess something to build trust. He told me he was a college kid from Montana, and again, WAY too friendly. Tried to push his way into the house and I had to hold the door firm and tell him I didn't need the books because I was pretty smart and already knew all of that. I'm sure MY name was dropped at the next house with a swingset out back. Very creepy and I'm very glad my husband was home at the time.

And no, I don't know everything....I just play a smart person to telemarketers.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

sheilarose, I had the same exact thing happen to me--a salesman walked into my garage and to the interior door. It really, really freaked me out--I posted about it here at the time. Ever since that day, I keep my garage doors closed unless I'm driving in or driving out, even if I'm only going to be home a few minutes before heading out again.

 

[Sonya]

I had a kid come to me last week selling magazines. If I didn't want any then I could buy a subscription to a childrens hospital. He was trying to earn money to go to school in France. Way to weird, said he lived in the neighborhood but it's pretty small and I'd never seen him before.
Same thing happened in our old neighboorhood too. Creepy!

 

[BabyTigger99]

We had a kid come around selling magazine last year when DH were out in the driveway grilling on a Saturday afternoon. The kid said he was doing this to get better at public speaking. Whatever.

Then, a week or so ago as DH was in the driveway washing the car, this guy was coming around trying to sell a cleaner for the car. Told us he demonstrated it for the neighbors, and they were really impressed with it. Thanks, but no thanks.

 

[Dancind]

I had a French girl at my door last week selling language materials, I think. She did say that my neighbors told her I had a school age daughter, and she couldn't have known that from the outside of our house. I got rid of her quickly, I was on the phone, but I think we need to have a chat with the neighbors.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I got the magazine kid trying to better her public speaking too, when I informed her that I then at the time was out of work, etc she told me she would hold my check for 120 days, thanks but no thanks... I"m not spending the little money I have to send you to Europe...lol!

 

[MosMom]

This is off topic but I also had some guy selling security systems and to sign up he needed my SS# and would call it in by cell phone to see if we were approved. I said I'm not giving any stranger at my door my SS#. I wonder how many people actually give out vital information to some stranger at the door!?!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

We had them here last Tuesday morning. Also Southeastern MA... Two 20 somthing men. I was very uncomfortable, one of them was leaning on my car in the driveway, The other trying to push his way in the door. Same story selling educational books for children, Tried the so and so recommended you line. It was at least 10 minutes, he would not take no for an answer. Luckily my twins ended the deal real fast, when they opened the kitchen door and released my 165 lbm St Bernard into the living room, who then ran to the doorway. I thought the they would pee thier pants. Trust me. I said sorry I can't hold her anymore and shut the door.


This past Saturday morning. While getting my twins dressed, the bell rang, ( I never heard it) and they jointly opened the door NAKED as jaybirds. with this same dog between them. Welcome to our humble abode! I ran and slammed the door to contain the dog. Funny the Jehovvas witnesses that were doing the calling left with no dialouge what so ever.

My dog is a pain in my fanny, But sure comes in handy somtimes!

 

[hentob]

Whenever anyone comes to my door (obviously not a local child/teen) selling mags, books, siding, etc., I ask them if I could see their permit to sell. Shuts them up and usually gets the bunch of them scattered around the street to hop in a van and drive off.

One time a man tried to give me a 2 liter bottle of soda. I guess to start the sales pitch. I said "Ah, no thank you, where is your permit?", went to shut the door and he stopped me! I was terrified! I then became angry and whistled for my dog, who is huge, but harmless. Dog came running and I told the salesman that he bites and to get his hand off of my door. NOW! I slammed it so hard and then called the police.

I hate pushy people! How dare he try to stop me from closing my own door!!!!!

 

[julie_yet]

.

 

[arminnie]

I'm surprised that someone hasn't gotten killed - especially in Texas where you can shoot someone who forces his way into your house. I've never owned a gun nor even fired a gun, but I know there's a LOT of people out there licensed to carry. I'd be afraid to try to enter someone's home like that.

 

[disneychrista]

I have had the Magazine thing several times. Last time even though I kept telling the girl no, she wouldn't listen so I had her write up an order and then she wanted the $$$ over $100 for 3 magazine subscriptions (1 was suppose to be free). I told her sorry I didn't realize that I had to pay for them right now, I don't have any money right now. She even asked what about change jars etc. Like I am going to count out and give her over $100 in change for magazine I already told her I didnt want.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I had a guy come into my enclosed porch last year trying to sell me something. Come into my enclosed porch, BIG DOG goes ballistic. This kid was pissed that I told him I wasn't interested even before I knew what he was selling. He gave me attitiude and I advised him that he was being foolish in light of the snarling dog beside me. He persisted and I proceeded to OPEN the door to let the dog out and he hightailed it out of there in a hurry.

Sometimes it pays to have a dog....