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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to make her knock for her Avon catalogue?

125 replies

SloanyPony · 01/08/2010 18:32

I have a polite sign on my front door that says "No commercial leaflets please". Its clear and obvious. It means that in the past year since putting it there, I could count on one hand the pieces of "junk" mail I've had through my door.

Yesterday when I got home there was an Avon catalogue on my mat. It had a post it note stuck to it that bossily stated that I should leave the catalogue on my porch for collection on Monday, no please or thank you or anything like that.

I have put the catalogue on my windowsil for safe keeping. AIBU to make her knock for it?

"Avon catalogue? Are you sure? That sounds very much like a commercial leaflet to me. I very much doubt anyone would have put a commercial leaflet through my door with such a clear sign on my letterbox...would they?"

OP posts:
Vaderella · 01/08/2010 18:33

Do it!

breatheslowly · 01/08/2010 18:38

These always go in our recycling bin. Sorry if our local rep has to pay for them, but there is no way that I would remember to put them out at the right time. You would have thought they would learn after the first few.

BrightLightBrightLight · 01/08/2010 18:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Megatron · 01/08/2010 18:41

YABU, I think it's petty too. Why not put it out with a polite note asking not to put any more catalogues through your door, as you have stated you do not wish any commercial leaflets. No need to be difficult IMO.

AuntieMaggie · 01/08/2010 18:42

I probably wouldn't have put the catalogue through your door but would just politely explain if she comes to call for it...

No need to be so nasty - some of us are just trying to earn some extra money

DelGirl · 01/08/2010 18:43

I have a sign on my door saying the same thing and also no cold calling. Doesn't make any bloomin difference gah. I can fill a skip a month with the amount of crap through my door. But with Avon and the like I put it straight back on the doorstep tbh but it does p&&s me right off.

Original poster
SloanyPony · 01/08/2010 18:43

It wouldn't take her any energy to do what I asked - not post things through my letterbox that I do not want.

Is that not purposefully obtuse?

OP posts:
AMumInScotland · 01/08/2010 18:43

I think you should make her knock for it, then explain politely that you don't want to receive one again - you don't have to be nasty about it or heap on the sarcasm, it's probably just someone trying to make ends meet who has pushed it through without thinking it would cause you a major issue.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 01/08/2010 18:43

nsh, no need to be mean just to make a point.

Just put it outside with a note written on the order form - Please do not leave any more catalogues at as they are unsolicited mail and will be disposed of. Thank you.

Original poster
SloanyPony · 01/08/2010 18:45

Its not nasty to have her knock on my door for the catalogue. If she knocked on the door and I gave her a mouthful of abuse, that would be nasty.

Feigning surprise that a commercial leaflet found its way through my door can't really be considered "nasty", surely?

OP posts:
ValiumSingleton · 01/08/2010 18:46

Wait and see, she might be perfectly nice about it. I know I mgiht be selective about junk mail. An Avon catalogue would be slightly less UNwelcome than plumbers leaflets etc...

I had one woman give out to me once that I hadn't left out a catalogue (for cleaning products) that I hadn't asked for. But I didn't have a sign up.

Wait til you answer the door and see if you like the cut of her gate, lol.

Megatron · 01/08/2010 18:49

Why did you ask for opinions then Sloany? If you want to make her knock for it, then go ahead but you did ask if people thought it would be unreasonable.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 01/08/2010 18:50

you asked for the opinions of other people, you got them. Sorry.

BAFE · 01/08/2010 18:53

YABU

ChippingIn · 01/08/2010 18:54

SP - go on, be nice, you know you can! Just scribble a note on it not to leave anymore for you (put your address on it), they might have had a child helping out in the holidays.

Original poster
SloanyPony · 01/08/2010 18:55

The polite note is all very well but I already have a polite note up.

Yet the note she has put on the catalogue is really bordering on rude...

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 01/08/2010 18:56

I don't think you are being unreasonable. If someone chooses to shove something through my letterbox despite the sign saying 'no cold callers please, no junk mail or catalogues' they do go in the recycling bin.

I don't want my front doorstep littered with bits of paper which blow around, particularly as they aren't always picked up when expected - we had a Bettaware one sat there for three sodding weeks and we chucked it because it'd been rained on, then the seller turned up and berated me . Apparently she'd been busy

And for our other house, there is no letterbox. Tis v funny to watch the pizza delivery leaflet people scratching their heads - we have special arrangements with the post office btw we are not just weird.

Incidentally, those of you that sell Avon, surely you must expect to lose a percentage of your brochures when you drop them through random letterboxes. Do for example single men really dutifully put them out on the requested day?

Megatron · 01/08/2010 18:56

So tit for tat then? Ok .....

DinahRod · 01/08/2010 18:58

We're getting a lot more than usual - a reflection of the economy perhaps and people needing to try and make money to keep a roof over their heads? I couldn't be harsh to them (and don't think OP is suggesting she would be) it's a matter of moments to put it on the doorstep. If I was irked enough for it to bother me I might attach a note or speak to them in person if I was in.

Original poster
SloanyPony · 01/08/2010 18:58

Also, if she ignored my first polite note, she'll probably ignore my second one.

I think I will just politey tell her in person when she knocks. I wont be rude.

Thanks for your input - I did consider all the options, I promise.

OP posts:
SlartyBartFast · 01/08/2010 18:59

if it is in a plastic coating, just chuck it back on your doorstep.
otherwise you will be bothered when she knocks to get it, and you will be annoyed as much as her, imo

whomovedmychocolate · 01/08/2010 19:01

And yes I do shake the papers and leave the 'better crap for the old and the stupid' leaflets out of the Sunday papers and leave them in WH Smiths

Original poster
SloanyPony · 01/08/2010 19:04

And I dont mind that people think its unreasonable - when I was responding to individual posts, it was only to clarify what is actually considered nasty, etc, I'm not saying I think I'm being reasonable or not, I am saying I dont think I'm actually being nasty, which is very different, etc.

I'm always interested to hear whether I'm being reasonable or not, and why, hence why I post.

I'm also interested if people think I'm not the only one being unreasonble - and its an eye opener that so many people think its okay to ignore a polite note on someone's front door of their home. People get irked as hell about someone parking in a space that says "parent and child only" yet a "please dont post crap through my door" type note (but polite as worded above) can be ignored. Interesting, is all. I accept that you think that is reasonable and that I am not, but I do find it fascinating.

OP posts:
SlartyBartFast · 01/08/2010 19:07

she probably didnt think it was a commercial leaflet tbh.. it isnt actually a leaflet, it is a book.

whomovedmychocolate · 01/08/2010 19:07

Sloany - nasty is smearing the leaflet with honey and popping it out with a sign saying 'here wasps, come get this'. You are being tolerant, but assertive.