How do you handle those unwanted solicitation at your doorstep?

I try to be as polite as i can to unwanted solicitors. I don't like to be rude to people without reason. I try not to open the door to far. Sometimes solicitors take that as an invitation.

We got bombarded by this kind of phone calls like 3 to 5 times a day. Luckily our phone shows the calling numbers. So if it is 0845 or withheld or unavailable numbers, we simply just don't pick it up. If we by accident pick up the phone without looking, all we say is: "sorry, not interested", and hang it up before the person at the other end finishes his/her sentences. Occasionally there are salespeople or people doing questionnaires coming to our door. If I have time, I fool them around a bit; if not, I just repeat the same script: "sorry, not interested", and shut the door. Fortunately, these people always got the idea and stopped coming again. I heard in some countries salespeople will not stop harassing you unless you sign the contract or buy things from them. If you refuse, they insult you. It's good we haven't encountered this kind of salespeople so far. I think it's important that they get a clear idea you don't want their products so they don't need to waste time on you but they can go away to make efforts on next customers. It is the best way for everybody.

I always look before opening the door for safety's sake first, solitors second! They knock and then go away. You don't know that they are really there selling something or casing your house for a robbery. For instance..you said your father was not home right now...that very well could have told them you are alone. And never tell them to come back....because they will!

ohhh....another annoying situation here. there are so many who do that in our place and worse is that they dont go away unless given with something. usually we hide when we heard from a distance that they are coming.

Well it's also rather rude on their part to keep on bugging houses each and every time. And sometimes it takes a firm and rude answer but presented in a pleasing manner to let them understand you will never get interested at all if they keep on knocking on the door.

I often meet salespersons in the street when I was in high school. They talk to you and tell you that they are employees of some a company which is taking an activity currently, and their products are free to you. After some blah blah, they say you just need to spend a little money, you can have their products which are worth to a lot of money. At first, I feel that it is not polite to refuse them directly, after all, this is their jobs which is not easy for them. But a time and a time again, it makes crazy. Now, when I meet these people in street, I never speak a word with them and never take a glance at them, just walk away.

Hi Kingparker, In a nice way I tell them that I am really not interested. If they continue then I repeat it. If they still continue then I just shut the door. Or you could put up a sign saying "No Solicitors".

I just tell them that i am not interested right now. They are just doing their jobs.

I would place a very colorful sign in big bolded letters that reads SOLICITORS NOT WELCOMED HERE - YOU NEED NOT BOTHER RINGING OUR BELL. That will get them to go away.

I don't like these, because I hate saying no to people and disappointing people. And I know they are trying to make a living just like I am. I am always polite for the first "no" and if they keep insisting, I tell them in a firm voice something like "I do not have any extra money AT ALL to buy what you are selling. I'm sorry, because I know you're just doing your job, but I am not interested, and you are wasting your time." If they still keep going I tell them to have a nice day and simply shut the door. I will not be rude to a person unless they are rude to me first!

I totally understand, I hate solicitors coming to my door. Drives me nuts. I made up a sign for our front doors that plainly says "We gave at the office, are perfectly happy with our Gods, love our vacuum, don't need new windows or our roof done and always vote Green party. Peddler, Politics, religion and Salesmen are not welcome.... we do love chocolate, school age children fundraising welcome" And I put a picture of my pug with his toothy scowl on the sign. We never have anybody knocking on our door who is not welcome! Have a great night!