How does one avoid salesperson doing door to door?

[lizzy_09]

My mom has been complaining about being frequently interrupted by door to door religious people and not only that, sales person have been turning up in our doorstep too. She had all sorts of people selling her grocery raffles, magazine subscriptions and cleaning product.
When my mom moved she didn't put up a big no soliciting sign because she didn't want to give the impression that she was shutting out her neighbors since local kids are frequently selling cookies or other things for group fundraisers only with these adult sales people they've become some sort of a bug.

Does anyone have any ideas that worked to avoid these sales people without coming out like were anti-social?

[Seeker]

My mom has been complaining about being frequently interrupted by door to door religious people and not only that, sales person have been turning up in our doorstep too. She had all sorts of people selling her grocery raffles, magazine subscriptions and cleaning product.
When my mom moved she didn't put up a big no soliciting sign because she didn't want to give the impression that she was shutting out her neighbors since local kids are frequently selling cookies or other things for group fundraisers only with these adult sales people they've become some sort of a bug.

Does anyone have any ideas that worked to avoid these sales people without coming out like were anti-social?

Seriously, your Mom can still put up a sign saying "No soliciting"... and gracefully explain to her neighbors that she's not bothered by the children with valid fundraising, but the adult salespeople with their persistance is becoming bothersome.

Done gracefully it shouldn't be a problem either way. We tend to let phone calls ring to the answering machine when we're busy. Same with doorbells; ignored unless it's someone we're expecting (or the package deliverer of course )

[cschin4]

It's very simple. Look out the peephole or window. If it isn't someone you were expecting over and had invited over, just don't answer the door. I don't answer the door at all unless I know someone is coming or unless it is one of my friends. They can stand and knock for 10 min, I don't care because I don't want whatever they are hawking. And, another reason not to answer the door is because it is an easy way for someone to push past you and bust into your home to rob you. So, tell your mom just not to answer it. And, this is kind of a tough thing to get used to for older folks who ALWAYS want to answer the phone rather let the machine pick up and who always want to answer the door. So, it will feel uncomfortable for her at first to do this.

[shultice24]

Go to an animal shelter, get a large, menacing-looking (but of course friendly) dog who is very vocal when strangers approach. Unless they HAVE to come up to your door, it might deter some people away.

Might be a good idea to take him out and introduce him to some of the neighborhood kiddies, that way they won't be afraid of him.

[aurielle]

You can simply post a no soliciting sign on the front door. That would be a good deterrent.

Those don't work. They get ignored. Ask me how I know

Don't answer the door. If I do answer the door, they get a "I'm not interested" before they can even finish their intake of breath before launching into their pitch. Unless it's neighborhood kids. Then I'm more polite.

I've been told that the religious groups are supposed to keep a list and not bother you if you ask them nicely to be added. In theory anyway.

[skydivingchic]

I am another who simply doesn't answer the door. There is no law that says you have to answer the door. And as has been pointed out, especially for women at home by themselves, it is not safe to answer the door. Unless I am expecting someone or expecting a package, I just don't answer the door. I do check the peephole as our neighbors will sometimes stop by for something, but if I don't recognize the person on the other side I'm not answering.

[Ima saver]

I am home alone all day also. I never answer the door either unlesss someone calls me to tell me they are coming, My doors and windows are all full glass, no peepholes, but I am usually upstairs where no one can see me. If it is UPS or the post office they just leave it on the front porch.

[wnlbutterfly]

I don't know if this is true, but my mom said that for the religious salesmen, that if you have a gargoyle lawn ornament, they won't knock, they see this as a devil worshiping sign. She had a friend that tried it and it worked for her.

[Justice44]

Cute Idea

Go to an animal shelter, get a large, menacing-looking (but of course friendly) dog who is very vocal when strangers approach. Unless they HAVE to come up to your door, it might deter some people away.

Might be a good idea to take him out and introduce him to some of the neighborhood kiddies, that way they won't be afraid of him.

Hi Shultice,

That was cute idea.

[Justice44]

You Need To Be Straight

My mom has been complaining about being frequently interrupted by door to door religious people

I would tell the religous people that you are not interested. If they persist tell them that you will call the police and charge them with harrassment. Most religous people who go door to door will get the hint, but there are a few fanatics.

[FrugalFish]

I had a terrible time with religious folks a few years back. I made and hung this sign on the door:

No soliciting.
No witnessing.
No exceptions.

DH said it would not work, but it has worked fabulously.. We've only had 2 people ignore the sign in 5 years. I suspect the effectiveness of the signs depends on where you live. Some places have pretty strict laws about knocking on a door where a 'no soliciting' sign is posted.

The neighbors' kids know they can come to the door for fundraisers, but it does tend to keep kids we don't know away. When the neighbors ask about it, I tell them about being harassed by door-to-door religion sales people. They understand.