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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think Jehovah Witnesses are cold callers!

49 replies

justtoomessy · 04/12/2013 11:18

At home today as DS is rather poorly and two women knocked on the door. I pointed to the 'no cold callers' sign and they said that they weren't cold callers asks the police etc as they definitely weren't cold callers. My reply was 'I'll have to get another sign put up then'

AIBU to think yes they were bloody cold callers?? If not what the hell are the they classed at so I can put a sign saying 'no whatever they are classed as' on the door.

OP posts:
LimburgseVlaai · 04/12/2013 12:01

I had someone trying to sell me something on the phone - he addressed me by name.

I said "Where did you get my details, we are TPS registered and I don't want marketing calls."
Him: "But this isn't a marketing call, I just want to tell you about a new shop opening in the area."
Me: "Sorry that is marketing, do not call me again, I do not wish to be contacted by you, please take my details off your list."
Him: "Rude rude rude. Why are you being so rude?"
Me: [click]

Weird.

Justforlaughs · 04/12/2013 12:01

Love the long list of people not welcome on Lamb's sign, just wondering what cat owning lunatics, trying to clean up s* come under Wink (disclaimer - have spent 3 days following that thread!)

LoonvanBoon · 04/12/2013 12:30

Limburg, I get this kind of thing on the 'phone all the time too.

I generally say straight away: "We don't welcome any unsolicited 'phone calls". Caller starts explaining that they're not trying to sell anything, or market anything, blah blah blah. I point out that as I didn't ask them to 'phone, it's an unsolicited call & I'd like them to remove our number from their list.

Some people just will not take no for an answer. A woman last week countered everything I said with: "But it's about solar energy!". Yes, it's a bloody UNSOLICITED call about solar energy.

I feel the same about people who come to the door, even though I don't have a sign. If you didn't ask Jehovah's witnesses to visit, they're cold callers - fact that they're trying to convert you rather than sell things to you is neither here nor there. I just ignore people at the door now, even if they can clearly see me through the window. It's very liberating.

LoonvanBoon · 04/12/2013 12:31

Spiderlight, the Give Blood sticker idea is superb.

Original poster
justtoomessy · 04/12/2013 12:56

SoupDragon I never knew you could do that? I'll stop whinging then and find out what the number is and call. Thanks.

OP posts:
FryOneFatManic · 04/12/2013 12:59

The cold caller who sticks in my memory is the chap who was bright and breezy when I answered the door (having just sat down to eat dinner).

He said "I'm calling about windows, would you like me to go away?"

I obviously replied "Yes, please" also with a bright and breezy attitude and promptly shut the door in his face. Grin

He'll never use that opening line again.

ZombieMonkeyButler · 04/12/2013 13:07

They weren't invited. They do not know you. They were not delivering post, flowers or chocolate.

Yes, they are cold callers!

TBH I really resent anyone coming to my door to try and convert me to their way of thinking - whether it be a religion or where the neighbours should store their bins (odd man who didn't think he should be able to see anyone else's bin from his house, despite living in a courtyard type place).

I am always polite to callers (unless they just won't take no for an answer and start arguing with me like the British Gas salesman).

SeaDevilscanPlay · 04/12/2013 13:10

We have a donor card sticker in the window of our porch.

Katnisscupcake · 04/12/2013 13:16

I have a notice on my door that says:

Working from home. Do NOT ring the doorbell unless you are making a delivery.

I NEVER get anyone knocking on the door/ringing the doorbell unless they are delivering something so it's definitely worked. Plus it's a deterrent for burglars because they know I'm here in the day - although the two loudly barking Labradors we have also help as a deterrent!! Xmas Grin

Sonotkylie · 04/12/2013 13:22

Point out sign and ask whether they are capable of understanding it (word 'capable' is very very important). They point out you are being offensive (or similar). You say, 'good, that was the intention, don't call again'. Shut door. Also works for telephone once you have started with a polite 'i don't deal with cold callers'.

It IS offensive. So are they. You have asked them not to call and they think they know better. Arrogant idiots. We have similar problem with local C of E who can't believe you don't want their newspaper in your house ... Upbringing means I struggle to be really rude to them...
My other gambit is to make sure they see me and then get up to lock the door and walk away. I have lots of windows near the door so can do this easily. Oh and i live in a small village so can be pretty confident who it is!

Ev1lEdna · 04/12/2013 13:26

They are cold callers, no two ways about it.

Worse they are peddling a belief system and pushing it on to people. I absolutely abhor this foisting of religious beliefs on others. I respect your right to those religious beliefs but you don't seem to respect MY beliefs when you come-a-cold-callin'.

And, I really don't think people should have to ring the Kingdom Hall themselves to ask not to be pestered in their own homes.

DorisShutt · 04/12/2013 13:31

Does anyone else feel a Mumsnet book coming on along the lines of "that's not my..."?

Sort of "you're an , you're not coming in" and finishing with "You're Jesus in the Ocado van with my gin, YOU'RE coming in" Grin

PedantMarina · 04/12/2013 13:33

We have a sign on our mail slot to cover everything - headline "No Free Papers", but down one side, in red is things we won't have (leaflets, religion, sales callers), and the other side in green is things we will have (Royal Mail and deliveries, Council notices, 1x menu).

Happy to send you the digital document - PM me if you're interested.

summertimeandthelivingiseasy · 04/12/2013 13:34

I do not like plastering my home with grafitti telling them to go. I just say No Thank you and shut the door, whatever the greeting.

I have found that there is no point offering any sort of explanation to these people, be they pairs of smartly dressed religious types, or dayglo chuggers, as I am usually at a disadvantage, having hoped for someone more interesting to be there when I answered the door.

TeddyBare · 04/12/2013 13:38

I was living somewhere with a no cold callers sign a couple of years ago and when someone knocked holding a clipboard I started the whole "cold callers are not welcome" spiel. They turned out to be working for a government project which gives out free cycle path maps and train timetables and stuff Blush I've though about putting up a new sign in the new house but I'm embarrassed now after telling the lovely person who delivered local hiking and cycle maps that they weren't welcome.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 04/12/2013 13:41

I am not keen on JWs. I'm a home carer and a couple of people that I go to are very vulnerable.
I got to one woman's house a couple of days ago to find JWs badgering her about her place in heaven. She does have a sign on the door stating she doesn't buy anything nor does she want religious visits etc. but they ignored that.
Unfortunately, she is a bit vague and had chatted happily to them a couple of weeks before hence the return visit.

NicknameIncomplete · 04/12/2013 13:59

They are selling religion so they are cold callers because cold callers are there to sell something.

Kasterborous · 04/12/2013 14:51

Ours says 'no religious groups' feckers ignore it any way. I will never forget at our old house that our dog wouldn't let them get through the gate let alone to the door! She never took umbridge to anyone else coming through the gate and up the path.

fedupandtired · 04/12/2013 15:02

As someone else said, a Give Blood sign works wonders.

frumpet · 04/12/2013 16:28

I dont mind opening the door and taking the magazine from the nice man who comes to our house , i think JW's have to do this dont they ? so at least he can keep coming and he can at least say he has tried even if we both know he hasnt got a cat in hells chance of converting me .

Scrummummy · 04/12/2013 16:29

I dont mind JW's when they call as they are always v polite. I say we are Jewish, thank Sorry, then slooooowly start to close the door. My DH also with JW will say we are Jewish thanks but no thanks but we get Mormons and 7th day adventists they are soo much more fun and so much less respectful.
My DH managed to get 2 youngish 7th day guys who kept turning up every week to discuss science, darwin and dawkins with him. he thought it was great.
The Mormons around me are okish they still try to give you stuff and try to convince you. I wear a Star of David around my neck and so when I say I'm Jewish, believe me please!!
The 7th day Women I've encountered are v pushy one told me i was going to burn in hell!! I pointed out that Hell is a christian concept so I didnt need to worry she was v pissed off.
The vv worst are The Kingdom of Heaven people push and anti anyone who doesnt believe in Jesus and keep coming back.

sandfrog · 04/12/2013 16:51

A "no cold calls" sign should be understood to mean you don't want calls from people you don't know, trying to sell or persuade.

The signs which list every possibility "no double glazing charities, no biscuit merchants, no religious people selling doilies, etc. just look a bit OTT. You'll always get someone call who isn't on the list Grin

hipocondriaco · 04/12/2013 18:36

Of course they are cold callers, tell them to fuck off next time, save some other unsuspecting resident having the same debate in future.

ByQuickfish · 10/05/2025 12:39

JWs are not cold callers. You need to look up the word and see what it means

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