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Original poster

Pushy doorstop salesman!

52 replies

WTF0ver · 01/10/2021 21:53

Was busy working today, trying to concentrate and there was a knock at the door. I assumed it was a delivery person as DH is always ordering stuff. Instead there was a young guy who immediately launched into a sales pitch. He was representing a (very randomly named) company that gets deals with one of the big energy suppliers and told me he'd spoken to neighbours and signed them up blah blah. I was immediately annoyed because I have a sign on the door saying no cold callers and I didn't have time to speak to anyone right then. I said I was busy working but he was very pushy and kept on at me, asking who I'm with just now and how much I pay. He was also asking personal questions like where do I work, do I have a good salary etc.

I'm not good at getting rid of people so despite my disapproving looks and protesting that I really had to get back to work he basically talked me into giving my phone number. He was also a bit pseudo-flirtatious/over-familiar - kept calling me doll and pal Hmm - (he looked about 12 so that no effect on me but it was just the pushiness, he was practically in my hallway, I imagine he's like this in other areas of his life too. My DH was upstairs on a work call, this guy's loud voice was too much, eventually I heard DH close the door to block out the sound. The guy then texted me the energy supplier's phone number to chat to them about a quote while he disappeared next door to harass my neighbour. So then I had to talk to this other guy while he waffled on about how much the quote would be. I was seething and agitated because I had a deadline, so not really listening but I think he mentioned £180 pm! Which is way more than I'm currently paying.

I managed to get rid of the other guy by telling him I'd need to discuss it with my husband so he said he'd phone back tomorrow but I'm so annoyed. At myself for being such a walkover and this guy for being so damn pushy. I think I'll just ignore the call tomorrow or block the number. I just worry about repercussions though.

I did some searching and saw some posts about similar and people commented that these companies had switched them over despite no contract being in place - all they needed was your address and current supplier. So now I'm paranoid that they'll somehow sign me up even if I don't agree to it. Should I contact my current supplier to make them aware?

Also how do I go about getting rid of unwanted people at my door? It's so annoying and the sign obviously doesn't deter them. Am considering telling them that I have a client waiting upstairs or similar!!

OP posts:
Original poster
WTF0ver · 02/10/2021 12:37

Ok thanks I'll work on my assertiveness.

OP posts:
Funnylittlefloozie · 02/10/2021 12:47

You definitely need to work on your assertiveness, but its a life skill, and being a bit more assertive will help you in all sorts of situations.

However, he absolutely can switch you to another energy company with the amount of info you provided, so I would ring yours NOW and check with them. It happened to me years and years ago with Scottish Power, and was a right pain to sort out.

Usuallyhappycamper · 02/10/2021 12:56

I used to be too polite, and got conned I to giving money to chugger etc, but one particular incident with the religious door knockers cured me. I was really ill and dragged myself out of bed looking horrendous to answer the door. When I said I wasn't well they started shoving leaflets at me and said they would be really quick with their 12 points about Jesus. I shut the door without a word and have had the spine to do so ever since. It's normal once you get used to it, find your rage.

Mariell · 02/10/2021 13:16

Don’t forget he will have many people telling him to fuck off so your saying no thank you and shutting the door is not going to bother him in the slightest.

AnneElliott · 02/10/2021 13:43

Definitely get more assertive. I say no thanks and shut the door - I don't wait for them to stop speaking.

WallaceinAnderland · 02/10/2021 13:56

"I'm not interested thank you" works for absolutely everything.

Good morning... launches into sale pitch - I'm not interested thank you
Oh, why is that then? - I'm not interested thank you
Don't you want to save money - I'm not interested thank you

Every. Single. TIme.

Rogue1001 · 02/10/2021 14:01

@Ironfloor269

Yes, just say 'sorry, I'm not interested' and just close the door. Ignore their protestations.

Let me get this straight, you actually CALLED the second guy on the number pushy-twatface texted you? Why on earth didn't you just ignore it or say you'll call them later???

I wondered that too.

Insane!

There's being a people pleaser, and that's one thing, but to actually call them yourself when you don't want to talk to them is a whole new level of batshittery

ShuddaBeenMe · 02/10/2021 14:16

Will it help in future to think they're being rude knocking at a door with a clear sign saying you don't want them to, so it's okay to be rude back?

No, no thanks. Not for me. Bye

Libertaire · 02/10/2021 14:28

I am a nice, polite person 99% of the time, but I make an exception for pushy salespeople & charity ‘chuggers’. I understand that they have a job to do so always say ‘no thank you, I’m not interested’ once. If they choose to ignore my polite refusal, they are the ones who started the rudeness so I simply slam the door shut in their faces or tell them to piss off and leave me alone very bluntly.

Etonmessisyum · 02/10/2021 14:31

I just pop head round the door, yes?
No thanks/not interested
Close door
As if they start I find it hard to disengage if they get right into their spiel
Some people are just not assertive.

billy1966 · 02/10/2021 14:41

I can't believe you gave your number to him.

I strongly advise you to do some work on your assertiveness training.

Contact your supplier and tell them to make a note on your account dated today that you are not moving.

I'd be complaining him though to his company.

Bullsh · 02/10/2021 14:46

Boundary setting sentences

Pushy doorstop salesman!
MurielSpriggs · 02/10/2021 14:49

If you want to be able to rationalise shutting the door in their face, I feel quite angry about these people taking advantage of the social convention that you should be polite to others. The more people like him abuse it, or even worse when people approach you in the street and you think they're going to ask for directions or something but they want money, the less likely people are to be polite and helpful when others deserve it.

All these thoughts make me very pissed off with the person concerned contributing to the breakdown of our social fabric, so I take great pleasure in slamming the door with gusto!

ChaToilLeam · 02/10/2021 14:51

Just a straightforward „No thank you“ then shut the door. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that. Whole lot of fuss and drama could have been easily avoided! You don’t owe anyone your time or attention.

Longdistance · 02/10/2021 14:55

When you said to him you were busy working, your should’ve raised your voice and said ‘what did I just say to you?’ If he was practically in my hallway he would’ve got shoved out and door slammed.

donquixotedelamancha · 02/10/2021 15:31

This seems an awful lot of hassle to buy a doorstop.

MildCreamyCheddar · 02/10/2021 15:46

@GoodWeatherforDucks

You have obviously not been able to get rid of your manners. Because unfortunately you actually will have to be rude to people like this to get them away from your doorstep. But they are the rude ones, coming to your door and ignoring the “No cold callers” sign and then also ignoring all of your non-verbal “go away” cues too. Simply say “I’m not interested” and close the door. My mother was too polite and on one occasion as children we ended up all having to pray in a circle in our own living room with some Mormon missionaries who came to our door one day. Mum was mortified, and us kids teased her about it for years afterwards!
Can't read thread beyond this comment, I've cracked up Grin oh my life. I'd love to have that experience to produce my mum with now and again.
Emilizz34 · 02/10/2021 15:56

I say that I’m not interested and close the door . I genuinely don’t understand why people get themselves tied into these situations .
Can see how it happens with vulnerable people though

Machchchengo · 02/10/2021 16:03

I opened the door to one of these yesterday, energy Co. cold caller. I have a no cold caller sign on my door. I was about to point to it when he opened with 'are you not gonna smile' to which I just shut the door.
I can't believe you gave them personal details OP. If you must be polite then a quick no thank you whilst closing the door will do. Or if you really must make up an excuse just say your house sitting.

Queenandslim · 02/10/2021 16:12

OP be wary of callers at the door. The same thing happened to me and I realised in retrospect it was a scammer.

People try to get your personal information and sell it on. They then send you phishing emails and texts.

Alarm bells went when they immediately asked for my bank details despite me receiving no official quote in writing!

Happened a few times after under different guises.

They tend to have ‘props’ to try to look official ie fluorescent jacket, lanyard, pda’s, fleeces that look like company fleeces etc.

I now don’t answer the door unless I know it’s a delivery person.

WishMyNameWasWittyNotShitty · 02/10/2021 16:18

I use one that my Dad taught me 'I don't do business on the doorstep'.....and close the door.

Or my DHs fave....stand and point at the 'No Cold Caller sticker on the door.....when the penny drops they soon feck off.

Comedycook · 02/10/2021 16:21

Just say no and shut the door Confused

HappydaysArehere · 02/10/2021 16:51

You are obviously a soft touch and it shows. My dh used to be like this. He used to feel sympathy for them so was really polite. Result telephone calls to give quotes for rendering, etc etc. Drove mr mad so after my “tutoring” he doesn’t do it any more. It got that I couldn’t trust him to answer the door or the telephone without involving us in something or other.

Dbank · 02/10/2021 17:10

I tell them "this isn't what my front door is for". They usually look so confused and walk away.

Original poster
WTF0ver · 02/10/2021 22:24

Praying with the Mormon missionaries in the living room cracked me up too!

With the phone thing he gave me the line that as it was a special offer through their company he couldn't have me calling them myself later because I couldn't get that offer then and had to phone and tell them that it was him calling from the company to verify his identity. I did actually think that the company was a charity because the name sounded like one (he had a lanyard and fleece thing with the company name on it. Maybe another sneaky way of getting people to sign up,

I'm ok at evading chuggers etc in the street and saying I'm not interested I think it's because I see them in the distance so am able to psyche myself up for it. Ditto back when I used to have a monthly charity payment set up I was able to politely tell them I couldn't give anymore when they phoned up begging. Yesterday I was in work mode so not focused on other stuff so he took me by surprise.

I'll definitely contact my supplier and tell them that I haven't asked to change over, just in case. The company phoned back today but I ignored the call.

OP posts: