I usually don't answer the door. If I can't see a car outside or am not expecting anyone, it's probably someone trying to sell something. I am always skeptical of people selling raffle tickets, magazines, etc.

If I do get caught in the yard or garage by a salesman, I usually decline. If I know the kid, depending on what he's selling, I may buy something.

I did buy a ton of microwave popcorn from my next door neighbor's son. But, I know he's legit.

I never answer the door when alone with my kids. But neither do I answer my phone to strangers. Solicitations by phone or email or door should be handled the same way, with extreme suspician and caution.

I don't answer my door. We put a peephole in the first week we moved to this house, so I can tell if it's a neighbor or a stranger who's there. We get lots and lots of soliciters. It took a while to get used to, but I got over the feeling of obligation to open the door just because someone is knocking on it. I never have cash in the house to buy anything anyway....

I hate door-to-door solicitors. I avoid answering the door.

But if I do, I NEVER give money. I explain that they are welcome to leave literature that I will review with my husband, but I let them know that it is our policy not to give money at the door. Any legit organization will respect this. They'll give you a pamphlet, thank you for your time, and leave you alone.

If the person can't leave something written for you to look over & check out ("Oh, I just gave out my last one!") or has a million explanations as to why you need to give right now ("I just need one more to reach my goal and you're the very last house on my list!"), or they keep talking and changing tacts (you can't get rid of them), or they name a neighbor by name ("Mr. Smith next door said you were a really nice person and would listen...") then you are probably being scammed. Apologize and close (& lock) the door.

I wonder what the percentage of door-to-door salespeople are actually legit these days. With the internet, there are so many other ways to make money these days selling things.

I wonder what the percentage of door-to-door salespeople are actually legit these days. With the internet, there are so many other ways to make money selling things.

I wonder that myself. I was talking to a policeman about it last summer (after those magazine scammers came through the area - do you remember that?) and he said that there are many around, more than you'd think. I can't remember if he actually used the words "the majority are not legitimate" but that was the impression that I came away with.

good luck

Our neighborhood had a series of car break-ins that coincided with these large groups of people being dropped off to solicit. Many of the neighbors also complained that the solicitors were extremely agressive. We put up "no solicitation" signs at the entrances to our subdivision after that, and put a note in our HO newsletter warning people about the dangers, and it has really cut down on this stuff. Some of these folks are really shady, and if you ever feel concerned, simply call the police and they will come out and ask these salespeople for their permits and or credentials. That's usually enough to scare them off.

Wow - that's a pretty clear connection lilybug.

I thought I would share this slightly funny/sad story. A friend said that he had someone come knocking on his door the other day. She comes around every couple of months and obviously has some drug problems, he said. He lives near downtown Raleigh kind of on the edge of an area that's seen much better days.

Anyway, she knocked on the door and asked him if he had any meat because she was hungry. She was very specific about wanting meat. When he said no and offered a banana, maybe some spaghetti, she asked him if he had ravioli! She ended up leaving with the banana.

Oh that's crazy. Well the last van load that drove through here included a man dressed as a woman salesperson, and just some very odd characters....I'm on the HO board in our neighborhood, and I pushed for the signs, but also put a little sign in our front window that says "no solicitors". It has a picture of a "salesman" with a hat and a line drawn through it, and a little preschooler that was visiting us one day asked why we didn't allow hats at our house-haha funny little sidebar.

Hey - do the signs work?

lilybug - lol - that story about the preschooler is hilarious.

I think the signs absolutely have cut down on the sales traffic tremendously. And if someone is bold enough to come anyway, it makes it so easy to point to the signs and say"I'm sorry they don't allow it in this neighborhood". Most salespeople will not continue to challenge it. And the neighborhood kids who are selling stuff for school know that it's not meant for them! I can't tell you how much (again I'm not directing this to the kids) I resent being bothered in my own home, and having to explain why I don't want to buy something. I appreciate people trying to earn a living, but there must be other ways!