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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put a NO COLD CALLERS sign at my front door?

31 replies

Groovee · 11/07/2011 16:38

Every day we're getting 3-4 people cold calling at the door wanting money for their charity, wanting to sell us something or trying to find out info to change our suppliers for phonelines/tv/utilities etc. I used to have a great sign from my MP saying that we didn't answer the door to cold callers but it fell off and dh lost it. WIBU to put up another sign as I always feel these pushy people don't like being told "No thank you!"

OP posts:
GoldenGreen · 11/07/2011 16:39

yanbu but didn't you find everyone just ignored your old sign? No-one paid attention to ours!

Original poster
Groovee · 11/07/2011 16:42

Actually we were quite fortunate to only have about 3 cold callers in the space of 9 months when we had it. I'd happily go back to that!

OP posts:
sssj72 · 11/07/2011 16:43

Yanbu. I put a sign up & it has greatly reduced the cold callers we get but there are always a few that will still try it on & do not take no for a answer Angry

TheMagnificentBathykolpian · 11/07/2011 16:48

Do what I do and don't answer the door.

Mind you, people have to walk past my window to get to my door, so I can generally tell if it's a chugger or something.

I know they can see me, but I don't care.

2shoes · 11/07/2011 16:53

we have one, but most of the people ignore it or can't read it.

ChunkyMonkeyMother · 12/07/2011 22:13

I want to make a sign that says something to the effect of "we don't want your religion, charity bags, backstory or take-away leaflet - Thanks"

But I just don't have the backbone ha ha

reelingintheyears · 12/07/2011 22:18

I don't answer the door either if i cba.

CurlyBoy · 12/07/2011 22:18

The sign on our door reads:

"No Thank You! We are not interested in buying anything, changing our utilities or trying a new religion!"

It's worked pretty well but I need to add "or give to your charity". We've had a few people still knock and say "I read your sign but didn't think it applied to me because..." I reply that it DOES apply to them and close the door!

ElfOnTheTopShelf · 12/07/2011 22:20

My dad got one of those electronic things where you can program your own messages in it and it flashes along as a message in red lights and one of those signs from the sea-side with the messgae of "we are happy just as we are so go away" or words to that effect Grin

Deanna1977 · 12/07/2011 22:21

Elf. Love it! Where can I get one?

ElfOnTheTopShelf · 12/07/2011 22:55

you can get mini ones in Maplins. We see them all the time are carboots which is where my dad would have got his Grin

Lazydaisy55 · 12/07/2011 22:56

I was plagued by take-away menus, and other bits of rubbish before I put a sign on my front door. Its great, they have all stopped.

sunnydelight · 13/07/2011 06:37

YANBU, ours reads 'No sales/cold callers please" and we haven't had anyone knock since we put it up.

L8rAllig8r · 13/07/2011 10:11

I have one that says 'We do NOT buy goods or services at the door, nor are we interested in the political or religious views of others' , and they never knock on my door any more Grin

Atwaroverscrabble · 13/07/2011 12:54

I have the signs downloaded from the moneysavingexpert.com website, just printed and then I laminated them and have 1 on the front window at the edge of the house and one on the door, they have been great, not 1 cold caller at all! I used to get loads too!

robingood19 · 13/07/2011 14:48

Its ok to put up the sign if callers bother you.

robingood19 · 13/07/2011 14:49

I used to enjoy a chat with J.Ws at the door then I got one who was determined to run my life. So I put a stop to it.

LineRunner · 13/07/2011 14:53

YANBU.

I have 'No menus' and the 'No cold callers' signs. People still ignore them, but only occasionally, and I feel it's probably OK to be a tad rude to them if they've wilfully ignored a clear sign!

HoneyNorwegianRidgebackdragon · 13/07/2011 14:57

I work as a Avon rep last week and got told off Grin the lady wanted to know why both her neighbours were getting a book and she wasn't. I pointed ouut that I ascribe to dsa policy and her sign clearly stated that she not only didn't want cold callers, but that she didn't want unsolicited mail or catalogues either.

She went "well I don't, but I do want my Avon book". She said that everyone else ignored the sign though Hmm

I think it can reduce callers but most think if they acknowledge the sign it gives then carte blanche to continue their spiel.

UANBU when I did nights I used to put a note on the door stating to only ring the bell if it was a delivery, not cold calling. Didn't stop the feckers though. One chap represnting Anglian windows told me it wasn't an official sign so he was "entitled" to knock. He actually used the word "entitled" Angry I did not respond politely.

Original poster
Groovee · 13/07/2011 15:21

Bloody sky didn't pay attention today and kept repeating, we can give you it or £30 a month instead of virgin at £43. I replied I didn't have a landline, wifi was off the neighbours open wifi connection and we have freeview. He didn't know what to say. It was funny though. I then did point out my sign.

OP posts:
Islasgran22 · 10/10/2017 15:58

I have a no cold callers sign in my window at my front door , where it is plainly seen, however today a very pushy young man ignored it , and I found my husband talking to him at the front door, he was actually in the process of making an appointment for the following day, for someone to call and inspect the outside of the building and the roof.....this was ,,,he said ,,because we have cavity wall insulation and through time it causes cracks in the wall....when I pointed to the NO COLD CALLERS sign...he just said yes he saw it ..but he wasn't a cold caller because they advertise in the newspapers???? As we didn't invite him to call then he was a cold caller. I told him we weren't interested...he turned to my husband and said....you're obviously not the boss in the house....

TroysMammy · 10/10/2017 16:03

HoneyNorwegian please tell me you said "and I'm entitled to tell you to fuck off" Grin

Raisinsaretoddlercrack · 10/10/2017 16:04

We have a no cold caller sign and whilst we still do get some it puts most off - I've seen them come down the drive then spot the sign and do a U turn. My husband likes to tap the sign if they ignore it and ring the bell and give them a steely look with arms folded. Personally I think that's a bit harsh/rude - but it always stops them when mid spiel! Grin

Sparklingbrook · 10/10/2017 16:06

I have a sign and it works well. Once in a blue moon some CF still knocks-if I can be bothered I answer, point to the sign and say 'Oh is my sign not working today?'

TriHard27 · 10/10/2017 16:07

I've got one and find most pay attention to it.