to think that if someone puts an unsolicited catalogue through my door

[Sassybeast]

that they don't really have the right to then bang on my door and give me an earful because the catalogue got slightly damp as there was a shower of rain after I left it back outside at the designated time ?

I can understand her being a bit annoyed but if it's such a big deal, shouldn't she have left it with a plastic cover? Getting kids, dogs, husbands and myself out the door in the morning is hectic enough so admittedly I did just chuck it on the doorstep with out checking the weather forecast.

I suppose she wouldn't have been as irate if I'd ordered some useless household item which I will put in a cupbaord and never use.

So - was she right to bang on my door and tell me off ?

[sparkle12mar08]

I loathe this - if you stick it through my door, unsolicited, then it's mine to do with as I wish. And that's straight into the recycling. Thankfully we've never had anyone knock to get one back yet, and if we did it would be a polite 'sorry it's been chucked'. Any back chat would result in the door being closed quietly but firmly

[Maz297]

I have a different problem with these. As soon as they come through the door, I put them back outside on the doorstep because you can guarantee that when they come to collect them, it will be a really inconvenient time (nappy change, nap time and them hammering on the door, etc). But they never come and pick them up! They just sit on my flaming doorstep for weeks until I get sick of the sight of them (and I do have a certain knack of not being able to see things that I don't wish to see so that can take some time) and then have to stick them in the recycling.

I fully agree that if it is such a big deal to get them back, they shouldn't be stuck unsolicited through people's letterboxes.

[Cicatrice]

It would never occur to me to do anything other than bin it. YANBU

[knpeppa]

And what about the security aspects? If you leave a catalogue visible on your doorstep, it looks as if you're not in and might be an invitation to burglars. They shouldn't be encouraging people to do this.

On the other hand if you don't leave the catalogue on your doorstep you run the risk of an irate stranger knocking on your door demanding it back. So it's a no-win situation for customers and a bit rubbish for sellers too if they have to pay for the catalogues.

[WebDude]

There was a gap of 8 years (yes, years) when no-one was living in this property, and I always found piles of newspapers etc in the porch (glass down to the carpet), so most of the distributors have learned they never get anything back (and may have seen their catalogue through the glass, perhaps).

It is unfortunate, but I can only suggest anyone who distributes goes onto the Vistaprint site and prints themselves a load of small business cards, asking potential customers to get in touch and a catalogue will be provided ASAP.

That way only interested parties would get the actual catalogues, the distributor would not have (m)any go missing, and the outlay might be lower than losses on paid-for catalogues. It could prevent the "nuisance" that has been evident in this thread.

It cost me about 5 quid for 500 cards. Admittedly it would possibly cost any distributor a lot if they are serving a large area (anyone care to estimate the number of homes they deliver to?)

[FranklyIDontGiveAMam]

People often come to ask for their catalogues. I never have a clue what they are on about. I don't think I even look at them, just chuck everything that doesn't have my name and address on it.

I usually answer the door to people I am not expecting by balancing my baby on my knee attached the breast and they leave quick enough.

[Tortington]

no she wasn't right - poor customer service.

[SolidGhoulBrass]

AM: usually if they want something but forget to put the book out, they phone you (you do put your number on the slip, don't you?) The only times I do knock is when it's a regular customer who hasn't put the book out and they never mind.

[Ivykaty44]

Anything that comes through the door that is not addrssed to Mrs Ivykate - goes straight in paper bin and then gets recycled, they can bang on the door but will not get stuff back unless it is a football over the fence