Fliers from Commerical Companies

[Chsalas]

I have noticed that Fliers from commercial companies have been getting out of hand. I must get 10 a week. Lately, they are jamming them in the door or under my front door. What, if anything, can we do to stop this? I don't need to know that the cleaning, patio, handy man, lawn or any other service is having a special. If they are interested in getting my business they can place an add in the monthly newsletter or send me regular mail ads.

[mdr227]

Honestly I don't think getting fliers from local businesses that are trying all they can do to get new customers is an inconvenience for me. It's one thing to get constant credit card solicitations that you need to tear up and destroy in the mail vs getting a flyer that someone has taken the time and effort to go around and personally place on one's door knob or in their mail box a problem. I say give these companies a break and respect them for doing what they can to succeed.

[Lisa]

I am ok with the flyers however what is the need for putting them at my door? I believe they are trespassing on my property when they do that. My mailbox at the curb has a place specifically made for people to put flyers in. Anyone who puts something at my door can be assured I will never contact them.

[flynnibus]

as far as I know.. solicitation isn't allowed in the community. but I could be wrong

-Steve

[Chsalas]

I appreciate all the advertisment I get in the mail, I can sort those myself and put what I want directly in the trash. These people who advertise via mail don't pay someone to walk up to my house and place thier add on or around my door. They pay the US Post office to deleiver their advertisment via my mailbox.

The problem is that the fliers are intrusive, I would rather them not be jammed in or under my door, tied to the handle or placed anywhere near my house. Plus, if they are not secured they end up all over people's yards. I hope Flynnibus is righ and solicitataion is prohibited.

[Zansu]

My pet peeve is when they hang it on your door on the friday of a three day weekend... advertising that you're not home for three days....

I agree about the box on the mailbox. The ones the put on the doors end up all over the neiborhood cause they blow away. And I don't want a path worn across my lawn to the neighbor's, caus I guarantee they don't go back to the sidewalk.

MOst of these folks hire kids to do the distribution, so they have no real concept of, well, anything. they just get paid to go put the stuff on doors.

[sonnguyen]

I can't stand when they jam those ads past the weatherstripping. It pokes inside the house at least an inch sometimes. Eventually it's going to damage something. I've tried doing the nice thing and calling them to explain that there's a place under the mailbox for those ads. But then they keep doing it (the same companies I've called). Maybe I was too optimistic/naive by calling them. I can see why a total ban on solicitation is going too far, but can we at least stop the ads from being forcefully jammed past the weatherstripping on our front doors?

[christinaandrob]

I have to admit that it makes us NUTS! Not that I don't appreciate that local businesses are trying to get their name out, but the sheer number of flyers is ridiculous. More importantly, the majority of these flyers are NOT local businesses - they are maid services from other counties, or painters that live and work no where close to Broadlands. And the fact that the people leaving them there don't care that they are walking all over our plants, flowers, and lawn while trying to get to our door - that's not cool either. If they really want to get information to us why not just advertise in our newsletter? Done venting....thanks

[tyger31]

In addition - I have noticed on more than one occasion - they drive on the WRONG side of the road placing the flyers in the boxes!!!!

[hornerjo]

I hate these flyers, I wish there was an easy way to stop them. I put a small 'no soliciting - thank you!' sign on our door. Doesn't work of course, I don't think the people that deliver the flyers know a lot of English. Maybe I need a bigger sign in several languages.

---------------
Got Broadband?

[Dutchml]

Electrified door should do it.

[Pats_fan]

quote:Originally posted by Dutchml

Electrified door should do it.
Yah, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Has anyone ever heard of the spring gun case? (Katko v. Briney, for anyone who is interested. http://www.newsaic.com/mled.html )

Edit: And yes, Dutch, I know you were joking. At least I hope so. If not, be sure to tell me where you live so I don't make the mistake of ever going door-to-door to your house! :D

[Dutchml]

How 'bout just a sticker which says "door electrified at owner's discretion"? [^]

[Chase]

I remember reading somewhere, maybe the newsletter, that if solicitation is not allowed in the Broadlands then boy scouts, girl scouts, and school kids will not be allowed to sell door-to-door. Gotta have those Thin Mints!

[Zansu]

you can differentiate non-profits and commercial solicitation. although on private property (which we are) you can differentiate any way you please.

I've been looking into the motion detector water spray... no law suits there.

[OP_dude]

quote:Originally posted by Zansu

I've been looking into the motion detector water spray... no law suits there.


I know a guy that has one. They are great at keeping deer away. They should work for solicitors as well.
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/deerbusterscom/dee-4015.html

[brim]

quote:Originally posted by Dutchml

How 'bout just a sticker which says "door electrified at owner's discretion"? [^]


How about a sign that says 'I know someone that works at the INS'? :)

[T8erman]

No law suits?

Spray hits them in the face temporarily "blinding" the person. They fall, get hurt, sue, you pay.

I simply just throw the flyers away. I have soooo many other things I can worry about! :)
quote:Originally posted by Zansu

you can differentiate non-profits and commercial solicitation. although on private property (which we are) you can differentiate any way you please.

I've been looking into the motion detector water spray... no law suits there.

[Pats_fan]

Not to mention the fact that a motion detector water spray would deter FedEx, UPS, USPS, etc. from delivering packages to your house...quote:Originally posted by T8erman

No law suits?

Spray hits them in the face temporarily "blinding" the person. They fall, get hurt, sue, you pay.

I simply just throw the flyers away. I have soooo many other things I can worry about! :)
quote:Originally posted by Zansu

you can differentiate non-profits and commercial solicitation. although on private property (which we are) you can differentiate any way you please.

I've been looking into the motion detector water spray... no law suits there.

[Zansu]

no, i'd position it on the area beyond the front door, where the solicitors cut across the grass, not where legitimate people come to the front door.

[afgm]

What really irritates me is the "road spam", the pollution of our roads, with plastic signs for karate, mortgages, carpet stretching, we buy homes, etc. etc.

Those I can't throw away as T8 suggests. But what I can do, is spend those hours in traffic calling each one on my cell phone, and giving them a piece of my mind. A great vetting opportunity! I encourage everyone to join me.

quote:Originally posted by T8erman

No law suits?

Spray hits them in the face temporarily "blinding" the person. They fall, get hurt, sue, you pay.

I simply just throw the flyers away. I have soooo many other things I can worry about! :)
quote:Originally posted by Zansu

you can differentiate non-profits and commercial solicitation. although on private property (which we are) you can differentiate any way you please.

I've been looking into the motion detector water spray... no law suits there.

[boomertsfx]

There should be fines for putting signs on public property, etc.

But yeah, it looks so trashy to see them all over :(

[neilz]

quote:Originally posted by boomertsfx

There should be fines for putting signs on public property, etc.

But yeah, it looks so trashy to see them all over :(


Actually, Loudoun County law prohibits all such signs. The problem is that we don't have enough people in the sheriff's dept to crack down on the offenders.

Its getting as bad as Fairfax County in some areas.

Of course, last year around this time, we had a Supervisor who openly violated the law by putting signs around advocating a tax rate of 99 cents. Of course, he didn't do it personally, it was his overzealous supporters.;)

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

[mdcrim]

Speaking of the road signs, I was driving south on Belmont Ridge from Route 7 two days ago, and there is a huge sign (probably 3 feet by 5 feet) on the right side of the road that says something like "Almost There"- it was an advertisement for the Original Steak House. If memory serves me, I believe the sign was prior to Luck Stone (I was only imagining how many signs they were going to have to put up to walk you in from there). Also, it looked more than temporary, it was on metal stakes in the ground. It was nasty.