Religious and Bug Control Soliciting

This may be an unpopular topic, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway. Beside myself, is anyone "fed-up" with the amount of door-to door soliciting? Between the bug exterminator people and the Mormons, I feel like most days are spent answering the doorbell and stating, “Thank you, not interested”.

If I need an exterminator, I’ll find one in the yellow pages. And if I want to learn more about religion, then I'll go to church. I know the Mormon church does a lot of good, but I’m getting to the point where I’d like to be taken off the “save this lost soul” list.

Further, I am not comfortable with my wife home alone having to answer the door during the day for some service that we do not need. Does the community have a position on soliciting? If so where can I find it? And if there is one, does it include all kinds of soliciting, including religious?

 

I agree, I was walking on a residential street in the neighborhood the other day and two guys kept trying to give me pamphlets, it was very annoying.

 

What I don't like are the companies that shove their fliers in the door, damaging the weatherstripping. The worst so far in that regard was Chin Chin Cafe where the menu was folded in half so it was eight pages thick where it was shoved in.

Also the people with the ads for painting numbers on the curb where they Scotch taped the solicitation to the front door - when I removed the ad, a nice square of the stain applied to my door came off along with it.

Thanks but no thanks. I refuse to do business with any company that damages my property with their ads and I've been calling them whenever I get an ad to tell them so - the maid companies are particularly abusive on the phone, btw.

 

AFAIK ... anyone doing commercial soliciting door-to-door, must be registered with the county sheriff.

http://inetdocs.loudoun.gov/pio/doc...businessregulat_/chapter828peddl/smrtsite.htm

Religious soliciting is a different issue, not sure what the requirements. It may not be a bad idea to install a peephole in the door, if the person is not recognized, don't open the door !!



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

You could do what my wife did before we were married, called the business at the number listed, and raised Cain about a flyer left on the door, while she was on vacation. Said that it was an open invitiation to anyone casing the community that no one had been through that door in a few days, and it was ripe for burglerizing.
If she was robbed, she would come after the business for negligence.

Some businesses may blow off one person calling, but when 2, 3 or more do, they may take notice.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I agree with all of you...It ranks up there with the telephone solicitating! Maybe you could say...ya know, could I get your home address? They think it's odd and say no and you could reply that "well now you know how I feel!" Then pretend your calling 911. Hahaha Anyway..it is very irritating!

Surely there has to be something we can do about this!!!

 

Thanks to those who chimed in. All great ideas. Any specifics though regarding the neighborhood policy on soliciting. Is it allowed? Also, is anyone familiar with the inner-workings of the Mormon Church? Can I call a phone number to have their people stop harassing me?

 

Yankee1, I am not well-versed in the tenets of the Mormon church, but do know that missionary outreach is a definite part. Given the strong Mormon community in the area, it follows that there will be a lot of young people involved in it here. Contacting the Church sounds like a good idea, because they can give you chapter and verse on what their missionary philosophy does and does not entail.

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

I have two brothers that are Mormon [}] Anyway long story short they told the rest of us MOM and Dad and me and our brother and sisters at easter dinner when they came home from College they were Mormom. Quietest Easter dinner ever and we now forgive them for their diiferent ways from our very Catholic ways my uncle was a priest until he died and catholic schools for all of us.

My point being, good luck in getting rid of them
These people in what they think is a nice way to spread the word don't give up easily. Many fun arguments with my bros. Nothing is ever going to change them and the way they spread the word almost like a well meaning cult.[}]

I always tell my brothers why don't you all hit the poorer areas more and they say they do. My opinion is they have a lot of extras to help in the poorer or less fortunate areas if they would leave us alone in the suburbs which has all religions and most are happy and doing well go figure whats up with these Mormons?????
Oh well good luck folks because they really believe they are the chosen ones and nothing is going to change that or their missions as what this door to door stuff is some of what this about spread the word. believe me nothing is going to stop that. I also love the way they slant the history of their relgion to their own beliefs and again they are never going to differ from their slant and having two mormoms in the family you can take all I say to the bank. I just can't wait until a few chime in here. [}] You may see another war brew here. Anyway my wife dalyn has banned me from talking about this and most other things but she is spending the day at her moms today [}]


You got to love some of the other scams especially from teenagers where they have to study or the school is sending them to London or where ever in Europe or where ever to do what ever and all they have to do is raise money for the plane fare. One girl very rough talking and looking. Broke down that her boyfriend was going to be pissed tonight because she was not making any money today. I did give her money because I felt sorry for her and I probably should of called the police just in case her boyfriend possiby could harm her. But the way she was talking this could of been the part of the scam too. You never know.

Lee J. Buividas

If there are any Mormoms here I am not trying to offend anyone just telling it from my experience only and you really should lay off the nicer neighboorshood and put ALL your man power where it will do the most good. Just my opinion period.

 

I just smile, tell them where I differ theologically from them, and wish them a nice day. They're not accustomed to folks who articulate what they believe without being nasty. That goes for the SDA, the Mormons, and the Jehovah's witnesses. Now, as for the chinese restaurants and the maid services, I want to take all their flyers and ... Oh, yeah, it's a family forum. never mind.

 

As I understand, all Mormon's are required at some point to take part in missionary/outreach work and they have various choices as to where and how they can do this, depending on their situation. Many take a summer or a year between school and go abroad where they help reconstructing of villages in third world countries; some go to various spots in the US....and I'm sure with the Mormom church down the street from us, we see a lot of the teens and young adults who are part of our local community. I've always been fortunate to have good dialogues with them and have always found them courteous and never pushy or offensive.

The many maid service and restaurant fliers are another issue. No soliciting signs do not work as I have noticed that many of the individuals who distribute these fliers do not either read or speak English. I laugh as many times I get fliers from the maid service that I have been using for two years!

I, too, like the innovative suggestions provided here!

 

I have a difficult time with the kids that try to sell magazine subscriptions. They don't like being told no. I thought I was going to be in a fistfight when I told one no thanks last week. Scary.

It's also funny that they always only need 'one more' subscription sold to reach their target when they come to my door. What strange luck that I'm always the house that makes or breaks their goals. Too bad.

 

Just don't go to the door...worst you'll have to deal with is the doorbell ringing maybe three times.

 

Ya know what...I'm always the last subscription as well! Hhhhmmm guess I won't fall for that one again!!! Do those kids make any money off these subscriptions? I'm curious as to this whole scam. Anyone have any inside info on this one?

 

Just do what we did; we put a small, homemade, sign by our doorbell that says "No Soliciting". It definitely cut down on the people going door-to-door ringing the doorbell. No more doorbells during the baby's nap time.

Of course it did not stop the landscapers, restaurants, driveway sealers, etc... from stuffing fliers in the door frame.

As far as religious solicitations, I always answer the door and take their literature. I have collected numerous mormon and others literature and it all goes in the circular file. One less copy they can hand out in the future.

 

I treat door to door solicitors the same I used to treat phone solicitors (before the new rules). A polite "I'm sorry, I'm not interested" and close the door, with a click of the lock for good measure. The Mormons haven't come back... Unfortunately, I also get the urge not to answer the door, and have almost missed some friendly visitors as a result.

I treat the flyers the same way as junk mail. Throw it away right away. We get most of our flyers in the newspaper box under the mailbox. Haven't had much trouble with the door.

Pam D.

 

Why open yourself up for a possible home invasion or something worse? If you don't know them, are comfortable with your religion, and don't need any magazines...just don't open the door! Problem solved!

 

I always open the door to the girl scouts or other kids selling stuff for their school or sports, however, when I see adults at the door and I don't recognize them - I don't even bother opening the door. The other day I was in our front yard and a 20 something guy approached me and told me he was my neighbor....I don't know what neighborhood he was from - but I certainly didn't know him. He proceeded to try to sell me some magazines and when I replied that I didn't need any - he then said I could just donate the money then. OH NO - I DON'T THINK SO!!!! I got rid of him and he quickly made his departure....I still don't know where he came from. Oh - and I asked him if he registered with the Sheriff's office and he gave me a dumb look.

 

Did anyone else on Saturday have a young woman come to your door seeking a $33.00 donation so she could win points for a trip to Mexico?! After having been watching on the news all the devastation from Katrina, I found it just appalling to have someone going door to door basically soliciting so they could go on a vacation while so many others are suffering and have lost everything! Then when I mentioned to this young woman I was going to give any discretionary funds to hurricane victims, she actually appealed again did I not have anything to contribute to her. It was not easy being polite after that!

 

Lee you sure like to talk like your religion is the only one in the world, and everyone else is wrong. You badmouth the mormons, but you're a catholic, so I wouldn't talk much.