Pushy Door-to-Door Sales People
 

Today, starting early, I have had two pushy sales reps come calling at my door. The first was 'Deluxe' wanting to wash my windows, and the second was "Freedom Forever" wanting to install solar panels on my roof. So much for the non-soliciting policy of the Villages. They were really pushy and did not take the first three 'No's if not more.

The joy of having a video doorbell. You can see who it is and decide whether or not you want to answer the door. If you’re curious or feel unsafe you can talk to them without getting off the couch.

Or.......You can just slam the door in their face

The pushy approach has never worked on me. What's the big deal? If it really bothers you, get a "No Soliiciting" sign for your front door.

While solicitors can be on the roads - which are public - the Villages has a no soliciting policy. So yeah they can stop in front of your house. But they're not allowed on your property.

What works for me, is being rude to them. If I have to get up off my royal arse to answer the door, and they're not presenting me with the Publisher's Clearing House check, then I tell them to get off my property or I'll defend my property with my recurve bow. I don't say "no" to them, because I don't give them a chance to ask me any question.

I’ve been very lucky. Although I get a lot of solicitors, they have all been very polite and not wasted much of my time.

I am in shady brook and all the houses are new so it’s a prime area for people selling services. I say an unambiguous no thank you to every one and so far all have just said thank you for your time and left. I take their cards if they have them but have never called one.

Florida law requires door-to-door salespeople to have a solicitation permit. You can ask to see it, and if they don't have one, you can call law enforcement.

That’s why I keep a disgusting looking old toilet seat in the closet. Whenever some unwelcomed stranger knocks on the door, I answer with toilet seat in hand, and tell them I am thrilled they stopped by to help me install a new one. They run away before even thinking about their solicitation scam.

Depends on what you say.

Some years back (not in TV) we had a guy stop by on a Saturday, selling whole home security systems. Half price. The only thing was it was a one-day deal and we would have to get the work done and pay for the system that day.

Very seriously, I told him "I HAVE security. .38 caliber security. My wife, too".

Guy left in a big hurry.

It was awful up north (not the north villages either, lol). The mailbox post area was a springtime magnet for the bag with the rock and lawn care business cards inside. Nice not having the mailbox here at the house eliminating one source. I finally put a no soliciting stencil on my door window that helped greatly with detering the door knockers. Still would get the occasional kid throwing stuff on the door step while we were away for a month or more.

Have zero issues with door to door. I speak enough VN, Cantonese, French, German, they take less than 30second to leave. Spanish doesn’t work, so well.

You can also just order them off your property. You don't have to ask them to present a solicitation permit. Soliciting is not permitted in The Villages. They can have permission from the governor himself, and it won't change that fact.

You don't need to ask for their solicitation permit. You can just tell them to get lost. If they're not invited to your house, AND if they're not law enforcement, THEN they are not entitled to be there. And you can order them to leave. Full stop.

The only people we had up north (in Connecticut) at the door uninvited were Jehovah's Witnesses and the guy who was running for Mayor against the current Mayor. Jehovah's witnesses were easy "No, I don't want to hear your testament, I don't want to read your pamphlet. Have a nice day" and shut (not slammed) the door. The guy running against the current mayor was just as easy: "I don't vote for people who come to my door uninvited. Have a nice day."

My Jehovah's Witness line in NY went something like this: Praise the Lord! My lord Beelzebub promised he would deliver 2 virgins for sacrifice at tonight's midnight celebration of the third rectification of the Drules and Azoths. Please come in for a "drink". Their exits would set speed records.

Most of us don't like to be rude to people, but sometimes it is the only choice. "No thank you", close door. Simples.