To be fed up of cold callers & leaflets through my door?

[snakeplanter]

Happy to be told IABU but I know it's also a Mumsnet thing to not open the door to anyone you're not expecting

AIBU to be fed up with the amount of cold callers and leaflets I'm receiving. I'm 37 weeks pregnant and probably hormonal but it's really started to piss me off. I know it's their job & it's a form of advertising but it's so bloody inconvenient.

I live in a maisonette style house where I have to walk downstairs to answer the door. I've got severe pelvic girdle pain and it always seems to be when I'm having a nap/in bath/insert other inconvenient time.

I've had three charity callers, two of which were from the same charity, try to coerce me into setting up a direct debit despite telling them I'm not in a position at the moment to donate to any further charities, then made to feel bad when I declined the offer of postponement. This was at 7pm at night once I'd got DC to bed who was then woken by the bell and refused to settle because I was downstairs. I've got an escape artist cat so then have to stand outside heavily pregnant so she doesn't make a dash for it. All in the same evening.

I also have an alarm company that ring the bell & then knock very loudly when I don't answer at least twice a week.

A few window cleaners that knock each week also to give me a quote.

The postman & local Amazon driver also ring the bell multiple times then pound on the door when I don't answer with parcels for neighbours constantly, this is everyday also.

I probably have 4-5 leaflets posted through my door each day, which I then pick up and have to take straight round to the recycling.

I'm firm with them but short of slamming the door on them I don't see what else I can do? Sometimes it's clear I am home and I will look out the window and just ignore it when it's the 3rd time today.

AIBU?

I wouldn't mind if they rung once and left if no response but they all seem to pound the door down with all their might until someone answers

There are stickers available which is a cheap option and should deter the majority of these. I also suggest investing in a video doorbell, so that you can answer the door from upstairs.

@CatsorDogsrule Would you say that the stickers worked? When they're as persistent as these I'd assumed they'd totally disregard a sticker

Ring doorbell would be a good option though, thank you

Girl you need to get yourself a ring doorbell, would solve all of your issues, so I voted yabu, sorry 😄

Sorry about your pelvic pain, I had the same with dd, it was awful x

We have a sticker and it doesn’t seem to deter them… I just answer the door, say “sorry I’m not interested” and shut it immediately. It feels awkward the first time but is now second nature.

And yes, a video doorbell could be useful so you can see who it is before you go down. Or tell them to go away.

I feel your pain. We regularly get men banging on the door even though we have a door bell (with camera) and start walking around our front garden getting a quote ready!! I always tell them to sod off or just ignore them, cheeky bastards. Anyone decent does not need to go knocking door to door.

I'm chuckling at this I might just start shouting for them go away from the windows🤣

My very comprehensive sign works for most of them, well at least the callers. Most leaflet deliverers can't read it seems.

If they do choose to ignore it and ring anyway, I generally close the door without actually saying anything. Rude? Maybe but they are being incredibly rude by ringing in the first place.

No cold callers sticker and a ring door bell. Even if they knock answer it through your phone with a not interested bye.

It's bloody rude isn't it to knock and continue knocking when you don't get a response.

The postman is regularly dropping off parcels for people roads away also. I've got a narrow & short hallway that's hard enough to squeeze through at the moment without boxes all over it. Most have to be carted upstairs so I can trip over them there instead. If I don't answer it he'll leave them on the doorstep

I have this on my door which I made and laminated. Maybe I'm lucky but I don't get people knocking, so perhaps it's doing the job? I do get some leaflets, but they go straight in the recycling bin.

Edited to add: you can add whatever you like, including "I do NOT accept parcels for other addresses".

Update

The alarm company have just knocked for the third time today. Id just got back from shopping so trying to sort that and feed cat. Rung the bell twice then started with the banging on the door.

I decided I wasn't traipsing down the stairs again today and explained, from an upstairs window, that I wasn't in the market for an alarm system and not able to get to the door as I'm heavily pregnant. They asked when a more convenient time to call could be felt embarrassed but I hope it deters them

You are way too polite. Anyone that disturbs you a third time and still wants to come back when you are not interested needs a very clear Fuck Off.

Get a sign - no junk mail, no soliciting donations, no selling, no parcels unless for this address.

That's a great sign @BilboBlaggin I think I'll make one up too so I can personalise it

I got a small brass plaque which I added to the front door when the house was repainted. I also have a spyhole inserted, so that I can see who is knocking, without opening the door.
There is an enormous choice available via the internet; I confess I was a bit taken aback by the forthright language on some of them! @BilboBlaggin 's solution also looks like an excellent solution.
If anybody still persists, I don't speak, simply point to the notice and close the door.
If the alarm company are being that persistent, I would suggest complaining to the company; they don't enjoy bad publicity!

YY to the spy hole. I love them. Since moving though, our front door has a pane of glass that runs vertically so when it's dark out and the light is on you can see straight through. I learnt this whilst trying to avoid a neighbour the other day and he shouted back he could see me

Off to google these direct plaques, perhaps they are more effective? Hopefully I can find one with some colourful language.

If they knock again I will be complaining. I've been here a year now and they were relentless at the beginning, knocking most days now it's not so often but it's been ramping up again

What do we think of this one? Love how succinct it is and not too much of an eyesore.

Are you in an affluent area? I had a similar experience when I was in very poshland.
What i found really helps is moving to a cruddy council estate. Cold callers assume you are poor so don't bother 😁

On a serious note, get a ring doorbell that you can talk to them (and tell them to sod off)

This is mine

We’ve got a small slimline bin just inside the front door - all the leaflets and crap go straight into it. We tip the whole lot into recycling weekly. It’s just satisfying to not have to carry it through the house.

For Royal Mail delivered leaflets you can request not to get these officially, otherwise the postie has to deliver them to your address

Yep, chuggers were at my door 2.45pm, then 4pm, then 6pm! The same ones! I ignored the door at 2.45pm and 4pm because I didn't have time to chat.

Then 6pm DH was heading out the front door and there they were again! He said sorry not interested.

Haha, yeah right😅🤣

They obviously didn't get that memo as I am nowhere near in poshland here!

We got so many knocks on the door during the last election. I printed a note and laminated it at work and stuck in to the door. It worked. You can find them cheap on Amazon and eBay too if you don't have a printer

The sticker I put on my letterbox has cut them down by about 80% I reckon