To not answer the door to this man?

However I'm very keen on tradesman looking for work so wouldn't be turning them away I've got a load of things need doing but can never find people

Because tradesmen don't need to go door stepping they have more work than hours.

It will be overpriced and poor quality. Ring the number/text the number and cancel

Better to be upfront.

When I was in my early 20s, my mum had a friend whose son was trying to start a painting business. He saw me on my way to the bus stop one morning, and asked if my mum was interested in having our house repainted. She didn't, but I stupidly said "oh maybe, yeah!" (I was a total people pleaser back then and had no idea how to say no thanks) .

Long story short, he totally harassed me from then on. He would lay in wait for me as I left for work every morning. He'd perch on a wall, and when I walked past, he'd jump off and say "you promised..." It was really intimidating.

We all lived really near each other, and it became very uncomfortable.

You've absolutely just got to be upfront. They're cheeky enough to ask, so you too have to have the confidence to say no.

Next time anyone cold calls just say that you rent as a PP suggested. Usually they can’t get off your drive and onto the next house quick enough.

I feel like I've been scammed. I read the whole thread and OP hasn't been back to update 😡

Has anyone locally been scammed? Check on nearby fb notice boards. Generally the police advise not to deal with door to door people. Genuine tradesmen do not usually knock.

That's what comes of forgetting the Mumsnet Golden Rule: Never answer your door when someone knocks! Just sit very quietly until they go away.

In the past, I got stuck at the door many times because I was trying to be polite. I now tell people I don't buy anything at the door.

There are just too many scammers out there now. I'm very wary of anyone pressure selling goods or services.

Never ever do business if any kind with cold callers!
If he comes back, which he might well not do, tell him your husband won't let you have the work done 🥴

I agree that saying 'husband says no' is probably more likely to get them to back off than 'I've changed my mind'.
Also, if you call, you won't get the potential door stepping 'I'm here now so I may as well come in/do the measurements'. I wonder if having a grizzling toddler on your hip if he does return would help shorten the call...

Stick a note on the door - "Sorry, I have changed my mind about getting a quote, don't want to waste your time".

Next time you are put on the spot like this, just say you rent the property - it always works.

Same. Always men and they always argue or shout at me when I point it out.

My vote: close curtains, hide, don't answer the door 😂

seriously? What an awful term and strange assumption. Of course contractors do this! I’ve had this and checked their work at my neighbours before agreeing. I’ve also had it in reverse where a neighbour also had visible damp and my builder knocked.

Op, you made a mistake by agreeing if you didn’t want a quote. Be polite. Call and cancel or cancel when they knock.

Good trades people don’t tend to cold call, I’ve had the ‘we’re going work down the road’ or ‘we’ve got some leftover shingle etc a work round the corner’….and it’s rarely true! I always politely thank them and say no thank you…in your case, I’d call their number and say your husband (doesn’t matter if you have one or not, it’s just for security purposes really!) said the work will have to wait and that he’d sort it out himself and just leave it at that..I’m a recent widow but I always make out to trades people that I still have a husband for security purposes, it’s none of their business anyway but I don’t like them knowing I’m on my own..

If you do phone him, make sure that you withhold your number

You don't know who cold callers are. If you get work done by them and have a problem, will you be able to trace them? Review them on a website? Give their details to police or Trading Standards?
If you want work done, good ways to get quotes are to look on Google for established firms with a decent number of reviews, and to ask on local Facebook groups - and check for a business page or website where you can check reviews - again, look for a decent number so it's not just their family and friends doing reviews for them.
Doesn't need to take long, and reduces the risk.

This is where a ring doorbell comes in very handy. I had someone obviously a charity worker come and ring the bell. I wasn't expecting a delivery, so I looked at my phone and decided there and then to leave it. He went away, and then had the cheeky buggery to come back at 7pm to check again. I didn't answer the door.

THIS. And I can guarantee they were NOT 'doing a job down the road'.

If you don’t answer the door, he’ll knock again tomorrow, so you will waste more of his time and your time, don’t dangle him along any further. Be direct.

Did you call to cancel?

@godmum56 I just point to the sign when they start their speil, and I point to my door camera then shut the door

I have got that sign too. does no good at all.

I have this sign up meaning no one knocks. It is bliss.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173093593735

For now, put a note on your door saying you have changed your mind about the quote, then you have told them you don't want the work and you don't have to answer your door.

Is anyone else amazed at people who are adult enough to have kids and can't deal with cold callers?