To ask if you would ever do a job knocking doors?

[girlfriend44]

Just saw a job advertised as an interviewer (market research)
It said you would be knocking on people's doors to interview them.

Cringe. I could never do that.
Reminded me of when double glazing sales people used to knock.
Do they still do that?

I definitely could not cold call at the door?
I wonder how easy it is to fill these jobs?
Could you do it?

As it happens, 13 year old DD and I were discussing cold calling yesterday. She wanted to know if I thought the dwarves cold called Bilbo because although there was a message on his door put there by Gandalf, Bilbo hadn’t agreed to it. And he definitely didn’t agree to everyone plundering his larder. We decided yes, he was cold called.

I used to be an Avon rep. Does that count? Just poke the book through the letterbox and call back for it the following week.
I’ve done charity collections that way too.
I couldn’t do cold calling. My DH did it for a while, selling insurance. Comission based, he gave up after a few weeks of earning around £35 and luckily gained a job back in previous area of work.

25 years ago I was desperate and applied for a job in the back of the MEN as “marketing” and then basically at the interview they took me out on the road chugging.
I did it for a few weeks before finding a real job. It was hideous, all targets and PB’s, ridiculous hours going all over the north west knocking on doors, plus it was self employed. Basically got something like £12 for each person you signed up for a direct debit to whatever charity we were flogging that day.
Awful times, but I was young and had rent to pay.

Edited to add that it was also like a MLM, I was supposed to recruit others and then get a cut of what they made I think, but I never really got that far.

That's not safe nowadays.

I have had various trades people knock on my door, and also charity people.
It is not something that I could do myself. I imagine some people are pretty annoyed when you knock and they can take a toll on you being told to fuck off several times a day.

No, but I often feel sorry for the people who come knocking. Must be an awful job

Sceptical its interviewing people for market research, crap like this is often disguised sales.

Do they ever sell anything?

They seem to have reappeared recently after disappearing during Covid.

It doesn't matter what they're selling, I'm not buying anyhting from someone knocking on my door, even if they genuinely are the best/cheapest supplier of something I really want.

Genuinely, if I want something, i'll go out looking for it, not wait for someone to come and sell me something I didn't want.

I would hate it!
I’ve done canvassing for a political party and found that hard enough. I don’t do it any more because really I don’t think they should be doing it.

I hare people knocking on my door without prior agreement so I wouldn’t like doing it to others.

I would be sceptical of this, for decent Market Research you need a defined demographic, randomly knocking on doors won't provide that.

It may be something like...
Do you think fresh vegetables are good for you?
Do you want to support our farmers?
Would you like fresh vegetables delivered to your door each week?
Would you like a free trial?
Just sign here...

I also did it in another far more dangerous country. I bloody loved it, despite getting bitten by dogs, followed by random men, and shot at a few times. I was young and I did fairly well (ie. It allowed me to pay my rent and eat).

I would absolutely hate to do this but I would over seeing my children starve and lose their home and pets.

I’d be very surprised if many people do it as anything other than a last resort.

I hate it when people knock on my door trying to sell me things. I start by being very polite, but struggle when they start to push. I don't want to shut the door in people's faces, I'm sure people wouldn't do these kinds of jobs unless they really needed to... but I'm at HOME, I shouldn't have to stand chatting to uninvited people.

I was once visited by a cancer research fundraiser. I told him that I never agreed to anything on the doorstep, but if he gave me a leaflet I would take a look and think about it. Which I would, by the way. I donate regularly to several charities, but after careful consideration and research. He said that's not how it worked, and I owed it to women to make a decision quicker. I mean, what on earth!

Wow, you win hands down! I was selling books door to door in Italy and definitely wasn't ever shot at. You should write about your experiences.

I think that translates as I get paid commission for everyone I sign up. So if you don’t agree there and then he doesn’t get a bonus for signing you up.

I did not know they still doing surveys at the door anymore. I remember a lady used to call to my Mom regularly doing surveys when we were young. Mom used to invite her in for a coffee and also send her to some of her friends nearby.

Now when someone comes to the door I normally say no thanks before they tell me what they are selling etc. This is after a man called to my door with a leaflet and started telling me about the business and that I would only have to pay a small deposit and to do so I could ring the office and pay by card. The thing as the leaflet was from a friends business and there was different number stuck on leaflet. I knew he did not work for friend and when I rang then they called the Gardai. He was part of some gang that travel around collecting leaflets from legit business and stick on numbers.

I could do a research job but not sales.

I remember when they were stationed in town and would ask you to go to a church hall and answer some questions.
I think there should be an incentive. Voucher or something.

I hate people selling stuff at my door. We get charities and also random men selling cleaning supplies etc. I always stop them before they start their spiel. I really hate the whole "hi, how are you doing today?" opener.

I wouldn't choose to do this for a living but I suppose if it was that or starve then 🤷‍♀️.