How do you discourage door to door solicitors?

[gremlingarage]

Recently one came to my door after dark. He was wearing a black leather jacket and dark pants, this made it very difficult to see him as there are no street lights. I advised him on the potential hazards of his actions but he was still reluctant to leave. I told him he needed to leave and not come back and escorted him off my property. Tonight another solicitor came to my house just before dark. I told him that I wasn't interested and he immediately got mouthy with me and would not leave when I asked him to. I had escort this one off my property also. He acted as if he was trying to instigate a confrontation. I don't know if that is his nature or if he was looking for law suit. Sheriff's dept said soliciting is not illegal. But I'm sure kicking their ass is. The last time my neighborhood had a problem with solicitors, people's houses started getting broken into. I'm sure ya'll have done some creative things to discourage these types of people, I'd love to hear some. I now have a small point-n-shoot digital camera near the front door. I plan to take a picture of everybody that comes to my door, aside from the delivery guy, which is not very many.

[Hush]

In my county there are laws against solicitors but you must have a "No Soliciting" sign up in order to enforce it.
In all my years I've never had one come around after dark. I would suspect someone might be planing a home invasion and plan accordingly.
Buying a guard dog might not be a bad idea especially if you're out in the boonies.
Automatic outdoor flood lights are also good to have.
Its also a good idea to check with neighbors to see if they have been visited by them.

[Russian]

xx

[mcinfantry]

I find that nudity is quite an effective deterrent. I'm not advocating that as a strategy, but it does work. Having said that, sometimes people don't react the way you want and things get really awkward.

I've had a buddy open the door naked with a double barrel shotgun. Been effective.

He has also said the only thing he would be interested in is getting a blow job or some pussy, but even if they (the solicitor or caller) wanted to, that his wife will not let them.

[Libertarian_Geek]

Once you tell them to leave and they refuse, is it not trespassing at that point?
I like the camera idea. Just remember to use your weak hand for the camera (it may safe you a second or two if you have to draw).

I don't open the door all the way, and I keep my foot placed in the path of the swinging door. My shoe serves as a door stop.

As far as getting them to leave. Make it socially uncomfortable for the solicitor. Techniques:

(remember, it's more important to make it believable than to overact)

1> Stare intently through them.
2> Feign being hard of hearing. Ask them to repeat often. Talk loudly, but not necessarily rude.
3> Have a tick. Eye blink, neck jerk, etc.
4> Drool (don't over do it though).
5> Cough and act sick.
6> Ask very personal questions.
7> Interrupt the solicitor often with widely varying subjects.
8> Take time to scan the property. Make it obvious (this is actually two-fold. a> you should be aware of your surroundings, their car, etc b> it helps sell the scene)
9> Pass gas if possible.
10> Random and unwarranted facial expression changes. This one can really reach into and punch some deep set mental buttons. Try the following in order: (fear, relaxed pleasure, fear, physical strain, timid pleasure, sadness, intent stare, intense relaxed orgasmic pleasure, fear, increased physical straining) Do each for at least 5-15 seconds during normal conversation or while listening to them talk. I doubt that you'd get through all of them before they leave abruptly.
11> Rub your body parts. Take a shoe off and rub your foot intensely. Clean out toe-jam and/or belly button lint.
12> mix and match



Remember, we're hard-wired to avoid those that we perceive as diseased, or potentially diseased. Act accordingly. It can be entertaining.
Also, the goal is to make them leave and not want to come back. Making them mad may just make them want to profit from you more. You want them to know that asking you for anything is futile and uncomfortable.

General Avoidance of other annoyances:
For Telemarketers, I have a log book and a script to gather additional information. I'm on the do not call list. Many local businesses don't understand that they have to subscribe to the list and scrub their list before they can cold call. For each one, I record information on the list. One of these days, one's going to be unlucky and I'll file a small claims court TCPA claim. I file online complaints at donotcall.gov and fcc.gov

For Surveys, I tell them that I do not support surveys that cold-call or solicit door to door. I also tell them that I am guaranteed to give erroneous survey information that will skew their results.

For charities, I tell them that in order to avoid encouraging the behavior of cold-call soliciting, I keep track (and I do) of charities that use this method. I do not donate to charities that use this method and that if I am currently donating to them, another cold-call or unannounced visit within a 12 month period will cause me to drop my support.

Somewhat related.
I once had a Brighthouse contractor come to my door on more than one occasion. Each time, he attempted to open the main door before knocking. The first time was right before AT&T u-verse became available in the area and he claimed that they would be upgrading my service for no charge. He lied, there was a charge that wasn't indicated on the form. The 1st time he showed up, I was on a conference call. The 2nd time, I read him the riot act and asked him to leave. I cancelled and went to AT&T u-verse. I also called and gave them (Brighthouse) a piece of my mind. I mentioned that I would tell people about the lie and the dangerous (for his sake) way that their contractor alerted homeowners. She got belligerent and told me that I should not be vindictive and spread lies. (note the assertion of an untrue premise. She was recording the call.)

TPCA info:
http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/policy/TCPA-Rules.pdf

[Blaubart]

What I've personally found that works wonders, is living in Montana where there's nine months of the year where nobody in their right mind, not even burglars pretending to be door-to-door salesmen, would want to be going door to door.

[PTK]

It's so true, too!

[Speed-Racer]

In our area a sign posted "No Solicitors No Handbills" results in a $500 fine per residence..........Then there's me to deal with much worse if you cant read !!

[igpoobah]

I live in the sticks; they don't come around. Too much walkin' and not enough talkin' to keep them interested I guess.

[700PSS]

A long time ago, when I was young and still lived at home, I saw the result of by brother racking his Rem. 870 as a solicitor had opened our gate and approached the front door. It's very persuasive, you know. I'm pretty sure he had to call it a day when he nearly jumped out of his shoes and probably soiled his pants.

[bakerjw]

I usually open carry when I work around the house and yard. Several months ago a guy selling steaks pulled into the drive and tried to be all personable and friendly and got out saying "Don't shoot". I firmly replied "Move along". He got in his truck and left without a word. Since I have chickens and predators are a regular threat I'll usually have a rifle or shotgun nearby or in my hand to back up the "move along" whenever a strange person or vehicle come onto our property. You can never be too careful.

A month or so ago it was hot as heck and I was mowing the ditch along the road with a push mower. Some good ole boy was riding a bicycle along the road picking up cans. He asked me if I could get him a drink. Later I felt bad for brushing him off but these days all it takes is to look like a weak target and give someone a chance to get a look around and you'll end up robbed a few days later.

The same goes with Craigslist sales.

[WasDustyJacket]

We jusst pour boiling lead from the roof.
The old ways are the best ways.


Oil will work instead of lead, but not as well.

[Bendersquint]

We have a sign on the front porch in clear view that says "No Soliciting or Religious Inquiries" and it fends off most, for others then I get a little rough in asking if they graduated elementary school and when they says yes I point to the sign and say have a nice day.

I had a camera at the door for awhile but never had anyone solicit so I moved it away.

My buddy used to take a picture of anyone(including delivery persons) who came to his door and even told them to smile. If he was approached by a steak salesman then he took a picture of the guy and their license plate.

His neighbor was robbed and he gave the whole collection of pictures to the police and caught the robber in less than 24 hours! WITH all the stolen goods in his possession!

-B

[ick]

My buddy used to take a picture of anyone(including delivery persons) who came to his door and even told them to smile. If he was approached by a steak salesman then he took a picture of the guy and their license plate.

His neighbor was robbed and he gave the whole collection of pictures to the police and caught the robber in less than 24 hours! WITH all the stolen goods in his possession!

-B

A credit to his community. Buy him a steak dinner for me sometime....

[eric10mm]

I find that nudity is quite an effective deterrent. I'm not advocating that as a strategy, but it does work. Having said that, sometimes people don't react the way you want and things get really awkward.

Given your avatar, I find that hard to believe.

[gremlingarage]

The camera for visitors seems to be the most popular. I have reported both of these incidents to the police and the HOA. The police didn't do much. The HOA immediately sent an email to all the residents with a description of the person. When I spoke to the HOA president, I told him about my camera idea, he really like it and said he was going to do the same as well as passing the word to the other residents. I want to make the these people uncomfortable not only at my house but through out the whole neighborhood. One thing that these types of people have in common is that they are lazy. They are looking for easy. If one neighborhood is a hassle they will move on to another that they think will be more successful.

[mudshark]

The only way to win is NOT to play.



As soon as you open the door, you've lost.

I have to knock on doors of strangers sometimes, usually for things they don't want to speak with someone in my occupation about. It's part of my job sometimes, I accept it, and the knowledge that they have done something to bring me to their door mitigates my invading their privacy (in my mind). The only 100% sure way to avoid having contact with me is to not answer the door. Just ignore it. Don't talk through the door, don't open it just a crack and say "go away", don't look out the window next to the door - just ignore the knocking. Oh - and the "no socilitors" placcard? I'm not selling anything, so that's meaningless to me. I may be persistent, and knock 2 or 3 times, but eventually, I WILL go away. You need to have the discipline NOT to answer. Most people don't.



Now, I'm an honest guy, doing an honest job. I'm also a trained observer of my surroundings and of human behavior, too. In the 15 seconds it takes for you to answer the door, hear me say "hello, I'm _________ ", tell me to F--k off, and slam the door, do you know what I've learned about you?



Your sex, physical size, health, strength or weakness, age, and various personality traits like potentials for aggression or submission.

Your level of education, social class and socialization. People with more education are far more likely to be hesitant to engage in physical confrontation, whereas people with less education or from lower social classes are more apt to. There are exceptions to this, of course, but those can be spotted too.

Your taste in decor of your home. Tastefully decorated places usually mean people own expensive things. Good taste is expensive.

If you have kids, I'll be able to spot evidence of them from the doorway. Depending on what I see, I'll know the age and sex of your child based on a toy I see laying in the lving room or coat hanging in the foyer. Any kids over 10 virtually guarantees expensive video games or laptops/ipods somewhere in the house.

Your circadian rythyms. If I knock on your door at 7pm and you look exhausted, it's a good bet that you go to work very early in the morning. Or if it's noon when you answer the door and you still have bed-head, I know you either work at night, or are unemployed.




Look at all the stuff I know about you now. And all I am to you is some guy you told to F--k-off right before slamming the door.




The only way to win is NOT to play.

[Pat M]

Leave the dead ones on the front yard - tends to discourage the others "HA"

[PTK]

...outstanding advice...

Anyone that didn't read mudshark's post, please do so. It's sad how many people in my neighborhood had break-ins over the springtime, all because they answered the door to a "salesman" selling nothing at all. It really does only take a few moments to case a place.

[Ramius]

Finally, waiting for my form 1 so I can have this:

[gremlingarage]

If I close my eyes, they can't see me...

I prefer to be a little more proactive. If I don't answer the door, I just made their list of houses to rob because they think I'm not home, I'm a passive easy target, afraid of them, or whatever. I work hard for my stuff and intend to keep all of it.

[700PSS]

If I close my eyes, they can't see me...

I prefer to be a little more proactive. If I don't answer the door, I just made their list of houses to rob because they think I'm not home, I'm a passive easy target, afraid of them, or whatever. I work hard for my stuff and intend to keep all of it.

Agreed. Having them think I'm not home is a bigger worry to me than making a less than favorable impression.

[mudshark]

No. Doesn't work like that.

The not knowing who/what/when/what-they-are-like/how many are home is the deterent.

Far too many variables and "what ifs" to be faced with, especially when it's so easy to just case the house down the street. They openned the door, and gave him a chance to see the laptop on the coffee table and game controller peeking out from under the entertainment center. Boom, there's $300-500 right there. I have to work 8 hours to make $500. They just gave a crook the opportunity to make it in 30 seconds.


Besides, openning the door and acting like Billy Badass won't scare anyone away. They'll just wait until you leave for work. And since you gave them a glance around inside, they already know what they can expect to find when they get in.

And the guys who enter places without casing and surveiling first? They are either amatuers or highly dangerous - and frequently, both. These are the idiots who will commit a double hommicde in order to have "no wittnesses" to a $600 burglary. Because they don't consider that police might look a little bit harder for a double-murderer than some pissant burglar. That stupidity makes them incredibly dangerous. They should be killed if they enter your home. It would be irresponsible of you to allow them their lives, because they will undoubtedly wind up murdering someone in the future.

[DoctorSolo]

^^^
That's not something I would have considered, but knowing what I know about people after living on this planet for 30+ years, I see no reasonable argument against this.

I think I'm going to stop answering the door altogether...unless I'm expecting someone.

[MJF1911]

A potential burglar doesn't even have to look in your home to know what the take might be. Little things like keeping your garage door shut and crushing that box for your 50" plasma TV that you were just gonna leave by the garbage can will reduce the risk.