Solicitors

[stoutfellow]

I really don't like door-to-door salesmen. Even when they represent a reputable corporation, I resent the high-pressure tactics characteristic of the breed, and the way they exploit the conventions of courtesy to stampede you in their chosen direction.

I find that I am even less tolerant of them when I'm recuperating.

Further deponent saith not.

Comments

[mmegaera]

I don't like anyone who shows up in my life (online, on phone, in person, on TV) without permission, for the reason of selling something. If I want to buy something, I'll come find you.

Some of them I can avoid, some of them I can express this opinion at to make them go away, and some I hit the delete/mute button for.

[stoutfellow]

That's basically my attitude, coupled with a knowledge that I'm a bit too easy to bamboozle if I'm not given time to think. (I'm devoutly grateful that Illinois mandates a 72-hour reconsideration period for certain kinds of contracts. Saved me upwards of $20K, it did.)

[mmegaera]

Yikes. That's why I have slips of paper printed with the following in the sofa table drawer next to my front door:

"This is nothing personal, and nothing against your cause or religion or whatever you’re trying to spread the news about, but you walked/drove right past several no soliciting and no trespassing signs to enter this condo complex and get to my front door. This behavior is not conducive to a positive reception of your message, and is, in fact, cause for vehement rejection of it and of you no matter what that message is. Just something to consider in the future. Thank you."

Granted, it's mostly to deter the proselytizers who regularly show up at my door, but I generally hand one of those slips to any stranger who rings my doorbell, no matter who they are, then close the door again.

That way they don't have the chance to bamboozle me. Pure self-defense on my part.