Every year, right about this time as a matter of fact, there are folks who canvass my neighborhood. The look at all the houses and try to target folks who might want their services.
Siding. Windows. Gutters. Lawn Care. Petitions. Vacuum Cleaners. “Magic” Wishy Washy Detergent That Cleans Everything . . . you get the idea.
My house seems to be singled out often. Not once have I purchased anything sold at my doorstep. NOT ONCE! Every time, I have politely declined, wanting nothing more to than to return to my dinner, my movie, my blog or whatever I was doing before some random solicitor entered my life by knocking on my door.
Despite my polite decline of their services, invariably I get the same outcome:
“Well, what about . . . ” or “Well, what if . . . ”
I DON’T CARE!!!!!
Today, I put up a simple little red sign that says “NO SOLICITORS” because you people continue to interrupt my life. I know it’s just a sign, but if it deters even just one such interruption, it was 89 cents well spent. I know you have a job to do and have to earn a living just like everyone else. But don’t do it at my doorstep . . . or my telephone. I’m on Indiana’s No Call List (THANK YOU STEVE CARTER) and I WILL REPORT YOU!
That is all.
3 Responses
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Good luck with the sign, Chad. I live out in the country but it doesn’t stop folks from stopping by anyway. A guy about a month ago was selling an aerial photo of our house. He said he was “just clearing them out” and though he had $150 invested he would sell me this 11×16 photo with a construction paper frame for $90.
“Nope.”
“Well, if I took another $20 would you be interested?”
“No, I wouldn’t be.”
“At $50 I’m taking a huge loss, but I’d really like to get rid of it.”
“I bet you would.”
Now I’m shutting the door. One last plea:
“$10 and its yours.”
So this guy who is supposedly doing me a favor now just 30 seconds ago was planning on taking me for at least a 900% profit. ‘Cuz it didn’t cost him $150 for that and he wasn’t losing money at $10.
I wish I would have said “$0–and its yours”, but I didn’t. I just politely declined.
In this country a solicitor is a lawyer. Works for me.
see http://hermetic.blog.com
I hate to be stereotypical; however, they probably can’t or won’t read the sign. “They can’t possibly mean that sign for ME!”