to think the window salesman was in the wrong here, and not me?

[parakeet]

Yet another thread about door-to-door salespeople I'm afraid.

I got a ring on the doorbell while I was in the middle of making the children's tea and went to answer it. The guy said (very politely, to be fair) "Hello, sorry to bother you on this dark and rainy night but I'm from Anglia Home Improvements and..." At this point I interrupted so we didn't waste each others' time further and said (also politely) "I'm sorry but I don't buy at the door."

It was like a switch had been flicked. He spun on his heel and left, shouting (grumpily) over his shoulder "Well put a sign on your door then!"

He made it sound like I was at fault for wasting his time by failing to put a sign up saying No cold callers, etc. I am seriously thinking of trying to buy a sign now, though, so he certainly made his point...

[HerdyTheRedNosedHerdwick]

YANBU.
And I have to say, the signs don't seem to work. Had one in my previous house and it was just ignored. Didn't bother with one in this house, I just grit my teeth and deal with them. I do get annoyed by the rude ones though.
The snarling dog under the arm sounds like a good idea.

[snowed]

You could always say that you are a window fitter, or if you're on the phone say you have no windows

[Sidge]

Last time I got a cold caller at the door I'd been watching a really sad film, so answered the door all teary-eyed and snotty.

They started their spiel but I just sniffed and said "I'm sorry but this really isn't a good time".

Didn't see them for dust!

[D0oinMeCleanin]

"My Dad's/Husband's/I'm a window fitter, he/I owns/works for

When getting quotes don't tell them that your dad is a window fitter and amuse yourself with the shite they spout to you because your a woman.

YANBU. I answer the door with a snarling dog under my arm (he's quite friendly really, he just hates people knocking on the door), they usually apologise for calling at a bad time and threaten to come back later. They never do.

[Ifcatshadthumbs]

I think I might just send DH to the door in future. We had chuggers last night at about 8.30pm DH opened the door all wild eyed and hair everywhere and said "I'm eating my dinner!" They scarpered off pretty quickly saying sorry sorry.

[wonkylegs]

I got a very angry spiel from a doorstepper because I wasn't interested and poor him having to traipse all the way down the lane and then down our very long dark drive.... It didn't help when I pointed out I didn't ask him to come

[HopAlongOnItsOnlyChristmas]

I just try the polite 'no thank you' while closing the door. Phone sales people are another breed. If they are polite when I say I'm not interested then I just hang up. If they are belligerent then I just hand the phone to my two year old and tell him that the nice man/woman wants to say hello.

Now the evenings are dark I really resent door-to-door people, because it feels like night time and makes it feel even ruder iyswim?

[cerealqueen]

YANBU. Even with the signs they come. One had the cheek to tell me he wasn't a salesman, he was giving consumer advice!!!

We once had one give us a quote for some new guttering. We took it and said we'd get back to him when we had other quotes to consider, so he got nasty and said we were fools not to buy there and then and we had to practically throw him out.

I like the idea of just saying 'no english'.

[AlbertGiordinHoHoho]

Have any of you heard of Jesus...

[uncomfortablydumb]

I have a sign. No bugger takes any notice. I know they're only trying to do their job, but they always call at the least convenient time. It gives me rage. But being British I stifle it and have to make do with frosty politeness. Which is just not as satisfying.

[liquidstate]

I have a beware of the dog sign in a window, works a treat and was only put there to deter burglars.

I do have a dog but he is 12 and slightly deaf and has never really barked. More likely to lick visitors than attack them

[SettingPlaster]

The only time I was really rude to a someone trying to sell me double-glazing was when he ignored a prominent sign on the door that said DONT RING - SLEEPING BABY. My insomniac baby was finally taking a rare nap, I was frantically trying to catch up on work in my study, which looks directly onto the front door. I watched this spotty fucker walk up the path, stop,read the sign and ring anyway. I nearly ripped him a new one. He claimed he hadn't understood the sign...

[snowed]

YANBU. He was rude and should have taken no for an answer. Having no sign is neutral, it doesn't mean you'll buy at the door.

[nancerama]

I've told this one before, but my cousin was briefly married to a Jehovah's Witness. When they knocked on my uncle's door, he answered with a cheery "no thank you, we've already got one".

[IThoughtThat]

Trial Not trail.

[IThoughtThat]

Mardy. I thought the same. The signs are all ugly but I found the best one I could and it really works. What about putting a sign in your window for a while and trailing it?

[MardyBra]

The thing is, I don't want a fucking sign. I have a nice period front door and a sign would make it look ugly.

I just want people to stop bothering me while I'm busy on MN.

[LisaMed]

We had JWs call when we were staying at a holiday cottage. DH thought holiday entertainment had been laid on. He got the holiday cottage blacklisted by JWs and they walked off shaking their feet (which is apparently a result).

Never argue with someone who has had excellent telesales and theology training.

[hackmum]

I work from home so I get a lot of door-to-door calls (and cold phone calls too). I hate them, but I also feel sorry for people who have to do them - what a crap job, eh? So I do try to be polite but it's irritating as hell.

[EnianShelZman]

I usually say "me no English". Works every time.

[lifeissweet]

What is it with window salespeople?! I had one come round to give me a quote. He kept asking if my husband would be home. I kept saying it's my house, not his - and we're not even married. He carried on saying he'd prefer to talk to both of us. I carried on saying it's none of DP's business and he's not bothered about the windows anyway. DP finally came home, at which point the smarmy man started pitching directly to DP, who kept saying 'it's not my house. This is nothing to do with me.'

In the end, we said no to making a decision there and then and salesman got really, really shirty with us.

When the customer services people called for feedback, I'm afraid to say I gave it both barrels. I had felt like I was living in 1973.

[3bunnies]

Dh was in a large old house with all original windows etc. Double glazing salesman gave him the hard sell about how much warmer it would be to take them all out and rrplace them, cut in bills etc. After a bit more discussion and debate as the windows were the original Dh agreed and said it all sounded great so the sales man went for the kill at which point dh said that he should send the quote to the Uni as it was his halls of residence and as a lowly undergrad he had no authority to change the windows. Not a happy salesman, but dh thought was v funny! One of his milder student pranks.

[daisychain01]

My DH said " thanks for calling by, but I withdraw your implied right of access to our property". They probably thought he was a barrister or something but they seem to avoid our house nowadays!

[SecondStarToTheRight]

Best way to get rid of JWs is to tell them that your (insert relative here) is a vicar so you are fine thanks. Always said with a smile.

Works everytime

[BlackeyedShepherdswatchsheep]

I live in a flat. the downstairs neighbour shouts fuck off out of the window at charity collectors. nearly as good as a big dog.