Question about a "no solicitation" sign?

[JessicaR]

Recently I had one of those sales people come to the door, you know the ones that are recently off drugs and are trying to get things straight in their life. Now, I am all for people getting their lives in order, but I dont want to hear their 10 minute sales pitch. This might sound rude but I normally just ask them to just give it to me straight, no pitch, what are you selling?

Well, after I told the young man that I wasnt interested (magazines) he proceeds to say to me "So is there anything you can give a guy, I have been out here all day!" I said "Are you serious?" He said that he was so I laughed and told him that if he had the nerve to ask for stuff I can give him something to get him through the end of the day. I ended up giving him a can of soda and a snack. I was completely taken in. Im a total sucker! Next time Im not answering the door

Aww thats sweet though. A soda and a snack I would gladly give as well.

 

[powellrj]

When my kids were little, I just use to put a sign on my door saying kids are napping, do not disturb. It worked like a charm! It was strange, my kids seemed to nap all the time!!

 

[JamesMom]

Forgive me for i haven't read all the posts, but this reminds me of a funny story that happened just a couple of days ago.

A mom and her Girl Scout (a friend of my son) were selling cookies door to door and I bought a few boxes. I forget to mention something to her so I went to her house. I noticed by the door was a no-soliciting sign that stated "no cable, no magazines no cookies" Her husband answered the door and I told him the irony of selling cookies door to door but I can't sell any to you. He said they put up the sign because of a pesky cable salesman. I laughed all the way home.

 

[hereyago]

I have a No Solicitor's sign, of course some people don't know what that means and will knock. I open the wooden door, point at the sign that is visible on the storm door and then I close the door.

You know who are the worst? every local election, their little workers will either knock, or they will see the sign: leave the Vote for me flier on my door handle or better yet in my mail box, um you can't do that can you?

Religious people: i don't need saving, I'm good thank you. But the small child that you are dragging around in the heat near 8pm needs to be saved from your dumb butt. Take your kid home to bed.

 

[hereyago]

I don't actually have a sign, by the way (I was just answering what I would do *if* I had a sign). My method is to simply ignore all knocks/rings at the door.

If you know me, you know I won't answer, and will have called first. No call == no open door. I don't even care if solicitors can see me, I simply will not answer the door.

See this is my thing: I will answer the door, I want whoever it is (sometimes people pose as solicitors just to case who is home during what hours) that I am home, along with my 100+ lbs German Shepard and another surprise they might not think I have. I don't open both doors, I may open the wooden door, but the other door is locked, or I will just look through the window near the door and say we aren't interested with the dog right by me.

 

[2girlsmom]

I generally don't answer the door either, and now I REALLY won't! Recently in the Tampa area they had a guy who was selling alarm systems, he went to a house and the woman said he would need to talk to her fiance who was around the corner. Well, the guy left then came back and said he had talked to her fiance. He then proceeded to rape her and threaten her with a knife. When they arrested him he told the cops the only thing he regretted was that he hadn't KILLED her! Yeah, I am SO not opening my door for a stranger now!

 

[LBIJim]

If I hang up a no soliciting sign outside my house, does that make it illegal for people to knock on my door? Meaning I can call the police and have them arrested or fined?

I'm going to put up the sign for sure, I was just wondering if it gives me any official legal protections.

Most likely not. You CAN call the police non-emergency number (NOT 911), but it's not going to be a priority to them. Even if the police responded while the solicitor is still in the neighborhood, an arrest is extremely unlikely. At most they'd tell the solicitor to leave the area.

If it becomes a recurring problem with the same solicitor, maybe the police will take stronger action.

Realistically, the most you can hope for is that your sign is a deterrent.

Jim

 

[Tozzie]

I have two German Shepherds and if I am home and the bell rings they bark like crazy well these people, keep ringing the bell so I answer the door holding the collars of both the dogs, I tell leave and don't come back. I work all day and most days don't get home until after 8 pm so I am only bothered occasionally on Sat or Sun. Oh, the dogs weigh 100 and 120 pounds and so far no one has come back twice!!