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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think if you choose to ring my doorbell uninvited, you shouldn't be surprised if I don't want to talk to you?

42 replies

gluepie · 14/04/2011 14:55

Currently on maternity leave so only just starting to appreciate the number of charity door knockers and npower salesmen I miss when out at work.Always rebutted with a polite " I'm not interested thank-you / Happy with who I'm with" - however they seem to be getting ruder, I was even tutted at the other day - if you're going to be offended at my refusal to stand at the door for 5 minutes listening to your spiel , I suggest you don't bloody call at all!

Don't even get me started on kids knocking on the door asking for sponsorship for some vague event for which they have no official sponsor form and want the money now.... can I have just have 5 minutes peace now DS has gone down for a nap?

Rant over.

OP posts:

DooinMeCleanin · 14/04/2011 14:57

YANBU. We seem to get sales calls at least a few times a week here it is very annoying.

fedupofnamechanging · 14/04/2011 14:57

Put a note on the door saying 'no cold callers'. If they knock anyway, just point them to the sign and refuse to get engaged in conversation. they are a PITA, I agree.

peeriebear · 14/04/2011 14:58

Just put a sign up saying "Please do not knock, Baby sleeping". Then if anybody knocks you are perfectly entitled to be horrid to them, unless it's the postman with a parcel of goodies.

Bananamash · 14/04/2011 14:59

YANBU- Just wait to til teh jehovas witnesses start calling.

I ahve learnt my lesson. Six months ago I entered into conversation as a means of being polite, i made it clear i was not into converting etc. They still knock on my door EVERY weekend. We have taken to not answering the door.

etyksm · 14/04/2011 15:02

YANBU
I always shout through the door before opening it ( I tend to recognise friends through the small frosted/stained glass)
"Who is it?" saved me from the JVs last month :-)

QueenofDreams · 14/04/2011 15:02

Oh YANBU. DS is poorly and grumpy today. Knock comes on the door. Shift DS off lap. Detach DD from boob and put her down (all takes less than a minute) and when I get to the door I see person move off. No problem except it send DS into absolute hysterical shrieking ('Daddeeeee etc) because it made him think daddy was getting home. Thanks for making my day that little bit nicer....

etyksm · 14/04/2011 15:02

JW's even!

Hammy02 · 14/04/2011 15:04

Unless I'm expecting someone I just ignore the door. Even though my TV is in view of the door. Pesky Labour campaigners knocked yesterday. Luckily for them I didn't answer the door.

eggspectantmum · 14/04/2011 15:05

It would also help if they used their brains. Had one today who wanted to sell me double glazing. If he had looked all the windows are double glazed & only 5 years ago. They may be a bit dirty but...

nulliusxinxverbax · 14/04/2011 15:06

YANBU. On top of that, I get annoyed by other people thinking they can send their kids out to call at mine 17 times a day, every day, during every holiday.
Ive had 6 yr olds call for my child a 8 at night.
Ive had dogs trust man ask to come in and use my loo. You could be an axe murderer - no.
Ive taken the batteries out of my doorbell.

MollieO · 14/04/2011 15:08

If I'm not expecting someone then I don't always answer the door. Since we live at the back of the house there are no obvious signs of life near the front door.

Ephiny · 14/04/2011 15:09

I never answer the door to anyone I don't recognise/am not expecting. I do have a particular reason for feeling safer this way though.

You're not obliged to open the door just because someone knocks.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 14/04/2011 15:10

I never answer the door. Even my brother knows to knock on the front window instead!

dreamingbohemian · 14/04/2011 15:14

The key to getting rid of Jehovahs Witnesses for good is to tell them that you're Mormon.

It's like Crips v Bloods in the missionary world.

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 14/04/2011 15:15

I once chased two mormons down my path with a sweeping brush when they knocked on my door at 8 fucking pm JUST as I was putting ds to bed

I think they picked up a few swearwords that day

ivykaty44 · 14/04/2011 15:18

my door bell doesn't work and I don't have a landline Life at home is bliss - most of the time and as I work from home on some days it means I don't get to be hear with the door bell not working and the phone not ringing random numbers...

my friends know the door bell doesn't work and they know my mobile number, its called screening

I told JW that knocked on my door that I don't do that sort of stuff and it would be best if they didn't call again in case they offend me

SocialButterfly · 14/04/2011 15:22

When I had just had DD1 a sales man knocked on the door. I told him polietly that I wasnt interested and shut the door. He then rang the door bell again and told me off for being rude and shutting the door and that he was only doing his job. Fair enough but I was polite and then shut the door - I saw red and chased him off my driveway demanding his name so I could comlain to his head office!

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 14/04/2011 15:23

I have a friend who tells any missionary type who calls at his door that he is a satanist and is in the middle of sacrificing a goat - that usually gets rid of them (well, that plus the fact that he is 6" of hells angel-type biker - but a lovely bloke, provided you aren't trying to convert him).

Stropperella · 14/04/2011 15:26

Your local police station should be able to give you official-looking "no cold callers" signs that you can put on your door. We have one that says something like "No uninvited doorstep traders" or somesuch. Works really well.

mrsravelstein · 14/04/2011 15:30

totally agree, the meter readers do my head in too, they won't take no for an answer and can't seem to understand why i don't especially want to let strangers into the house at 7am in the morning when i'm in my dressing gown

chocadoodle · 14/04/2011 15:31

YANBU Total PITA.

Do these companies really think that you're going to say "oh yes please I would like some new windows now you mention it, come in"

Yes the poor person knocking on the door is just doing their job, but it infuriates me all the same.

rookiemater · 14/04/2011 15:32

I hate this when I get cold calls, they always ask stupid questions like " Hello Rookiemater ( not even Mrs Mater when I don't know them from Adam) are you having a nice day today?" I get them off as quickly as possible.

Prunnhilda · 14/04/2011 15:32

"It's like Crips v Bloods in the missionary world."

SNORT

Original poster

gluepie · 14/04/2011 15:33

Glad to see it's not just me then! Would love a no cold-callers type sticker but DP is against " in case we miss anything interesting" - have a good mind to tell them all to call back when he's in.

Generally free of JWs round here, on the odd occasion they do call at least they take the inevitable knock back with good grace.

Nearly didn't bother with the door, but have found that some idiots take no answer to mean "please ring my doorbell again lots of times" so to avoid DS waking up I tend to answer.

OP posts:

GwendolineMaryLacey · 14/04/2011 15:40

I was really ill with pneumonia over Christmas and didn't know that a relative had ordered something for dd to be delivered to us. I heard the door go but was upstairs in bed. It kept on ringing and finally I dragged, and I really do mean dragged, my carcass down the stairs. As I did so, I heard footsteps going back down the path and then I saw the bloke whack the living room window with his fist, I'm amazed it didn't break. When he saw me on my knees he apologised profusely but I was livid.

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