To be suspicious of these 'carpet cleaners?'

[PoisonousSmurf]

I live in a rural area and for the last month or so a black van has been coming onto our estate and two men go door to door with a bottle of liquid and a carpet washing machine.
They've been turning up at odd times, middle of the day and even at 8pm at night.
They ask if they can come in (RIGHT THERE AND THEN) to clean your carpets. They never leave any info leaflets.
They've turned up yet again and this time I'm refusing to open my door. AIBU?

[floraeasy]

Sounds very dodgy to me. I wouldn't entertain this at all.

I have a rule that I don't get involved in any unsolicited approaches via phone, email or at the door.

Maybe I'm missing out on some amazing bargain somewhere, but I very much doubt it.

[RTKM007]

Deffo keep door locked and ignore them

[CatsRidingRollercoasters]

Bit weird. YANBU to not answer the door. I have a sign up saying 'no cold callers of any kind' which does the trick.

You could ask for their company name and then Google them. Phone them to check it's legit.

Very odd - I doubt most people would want their carpets cleaning with no notice, which suggests they're preying on more vulnerable people - which is very concerning.

[RTKM007]

Perhaps also ring 111 with the van reg number

[DeployedAbroad]

101. 111 is nhs direct.
     
     As above definitely report this its only a matter of time before a vulnerable person gets caught out by these con artists.

[PoisonousSmurf]

Missed the van reg number. But as you all said, who in their right minds lets strangers in the house with no idea who they are. And yes, there are lots of elderly people around here.
I was keeping an eye on them from the upstairs window, as I can see down the road. They tried two more houses (the posher ones) and then drove off.
Weird!

[wowfudge]

Sounds as though they are either casing the joints or looking for someone and trying different houses at different times. As they are in the same vehicle I'd report it to the police on the non emergency number.

[BrandMombie]

I'd say call 101, and let them know. They might have had reports previously, and be looking for them. Keep an eye out, and try and get the reg next time you see them. I'm sure you do anyhow but ensure you are locking windows and doors, as they may be trying to plan break ins. I do worry about the more vulnerable falling for these kind of traps. Could be harmless, but it does sound very suspicious.

[hibbledobble]

Some people do sadly fall for these door to door salesmen. Even if they aren't looking around for where is worth robbing, they have also been known to have rather unscrupulous sales practices.

A son recently published a video of him confronting a salesman who had charged his mother, who had dementia, an obscene amount for a new double glazed door, when the door handle only needed a simple fix, which another company quoted under £20 to do. It's very sad.

[floraeasy]

Yes, it's often the elderly who get preyed on in these situations. Ditto with the hardsell salesmen - the ones who stay for hours on end grinding the poor old folks into exhaustion. Shameful!

[RTKM007]

Yes sorry don't think NHS direct will be much help

See if you take photo from upstairs window next time then you can zoom photo to see them and reg number