to object to catalogues containing porn-related merchandise being pushed through my letterbox

[parakeet]

OK, I have exaggerated somewhat to get your attention, but bear with me..

I was already sick of getting Betterware catalogues with their requests that you write down your order and leave them outside your house for collection. I don't want my drive to look scruffy, thanks.

Now the latest catalogue, from Avon, contains Playboy-branded merchandise. And a request to leave it outside on a certain day of the week, so to oblige I have to leave it cluttering up my kitchen work-top until the collection day.

I would really like to scrawl over the front cover my incomprehension of why a grown woman would wear porn-branded T-shirts. I won't, however, as I appreciate the saleswoman has probably had to fork out for her catalogues personally. But I will write a snotty post-it note.

On the bright side, I have been meaning for ages to stick a note by my letterbox telling people not to post their leaflets, adverts, cataloges, etc. This may be the incentive I need.

I know what you mean. But please can I urge you not to write a snotty note? My friend is an Avon representative and when she tries to canvas new areas, some people are so rude to her she's sometimes in tears at the end of the day. All you have to do is say "please don't leave any more catalogues here."

I'm aware the snotty post-it note could just be a throwaway comment on your part and you probably don't really mean to do it, but I just thought I'd let you see the other side of the picture just in case you meant it

Hmmm, you HAVE made me see the other side, so thanks for that.

The thought of upsetting the saleswoman is why I'm not going to write it on the cover (and therefore spoil her catalogue). I do feel a post-it note is justified. However I will make sure I state my objections to Playboy T-shirts politely.

the sensible people who do Avon/Betterware leave a note/form which gives the householder the opportunity to say they never want one, they only want one at christmas etc.

i give them one chance to collect the catalogue on the day they say then it goes in the recycling.

i am turning into my dad

There was a period of 7+ years when no-one was living in the property where I am now. I was forever throwing the catalogues when I made quarterly visits.

I have {politely} asked people not to leave anything at number X if I happen to be going out and see them dropping catalogues at my neighbours' homes. One chap was very short with me (perhaps I had binned a dozen of his catalogues over the years), but the most recent person gave me a smile as she walked past, so presumably she had seen one of my post-it notes within the last 30 months and knew the bin might be the destination if something came here.

I don't throw things now I am here, but when you get about 4 charity bags a week and then some sales catalogue, unsolicited, it can be tempting to simply bin them.

It's unfortunate for someone to have paid out for these catalogues. I think they might do better to spend a smaller amount on catalogues and have a few thousand small business cards printed. Something like "Hi. I work as a distributor for and would be happy to leave a catalogue with you if you are interested. Please give me a call / send a text to "

The can be a Virgin PAYG and be eligible for free voicemail and switched off most of the day, so it not a constant interruption. Once a distributor has established a client base, s/he will have a number of names and numbers and can return to those addresses at intervals, with the latest catalogue.

While doing so, if s/he took a note of any properties for sale, s/he would know where to drop off the introductory business cards to see if there are any interested parties...

if you are a new rep you get only so many catalogues, after a few months you have to buy them in, so your catalogue may have been looked at by others, or going to someone else after you've read it.

yanbu to be annoyed by the crap in some of them,

ageing has the right idea, if you have any comments you want to make, or dont want anymore, slip a bit of paper or use the order form to say what you like

I think it's best if you put your note up

I like getting the catalogues myself and have to restrain myself laughing at them sometimes (WTF buys a hoover cover in the 'design' of a Maid???). I never order from the kitchen ones (overpriced), but sometimes I do from Avon or some of the others. I think the person/people who keep putting the kitchen ones outside the door are a bit daft or very optimistic as I have never ordered anything yet they still put the catalogue out each time