How do you get rid of annoying salespeople on your cell phone or at your door?

1. 78

   Marcy Goodfleischposted 9 years ago

   How do you get rid of annoying salespeople on your cell phone or at your door?
   
   What do you do when you get unwanted solicitation calls on your cell phone, or knocks at your door?  Have you figured out a way to REALLY get your number off their system?

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2. 60

   LindaSmith1posted 9 years ago

   Shutting the door is easy.   Computers generate the calls by soliciters which is why the do not call lists don't work. The computers are able to figure out every telephone combination in any given area wanted by these soliciters.

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   1. 60

      LindaSmith1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The funniest I have ever heard of is one person answers the phone, lets person start conversation, then they lay the phone down and walk away, allowing the caller to ramble on and on to themselves.

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3. 94

   mary615posted 9 years ago

   I have reached the conclusion there is just NO way!  I am on the "do not call" list, but that doesn't work.  When I get one on my cell phone, I block that number, but I still get many more.  Very annoying. 
   We don't have door to door people anymore in our neighborhood, thank goodness.

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4. 92

   lisavollrathposted 9 years ago

   People who come to my front door are often startled, because my office window is ten feet to the left of it. I don't answer the door. I open the window and ask if I can help them. They have to wade across the front garden if they want to talk, and by the time they sputter out whatever it is they want, I can usually say, "oh, no thanks" and shut the window and blinds.
   
   People who come to my door repeatedly: Jehovah's Witnesses, who get a very happy, "oh, thanks, but I'm Catholic"; the meat guy, who gets a very happy, "oh, thanks, but I'm vegan".
   
   I don't usually answer my phone, because nobody who knows me really ever calls. It's usually the pharmacy, or the doctor, or a robocall. If I don't recognize the number, I decline the call, and it goes to voice mail. I have a blocking app on my phone, so I can add robocalls and solicitors to it, and they're blocked from getting through again.

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5. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   You're home, relaxing from your endeavors in the work world or at home.  You don't have a care at the moment.  Then...you hear a KNOCK, a RING..You wonder who can THIS be! Oh no, it's THAT salesperson.. read more

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6. 83

   bravewarriorposted 9 years ago

   I don't answer numbers I don't recognize. I figure if it's important or they want to hire me as a writer, they'll leave a message.
   
   Go into this website to register your phone with Do Not Call dot gov:
   
   https://www.donotcall.gov/  You can also file a complaint on this site.
   
   As far as the door goes, I look thru my peep hole. If I don't know who's standing on the other side, I don't answer the door.

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7. 93

   peeplesposted 9 years ago

   I ignore numbers I don't know. If they are knocking on my door to sell an object or service (not the religious people) I tend to have more patience. I use to sell door to door about 10 years ago. I have a lot of respect for someone who can manage that as a career. It's rough, people are rude, weather can be unbearable, and the least I can do is not be one of those rude people. They have it hard, and I have no reason to make it harder. 5 minutes of my day is not too much to be kind to someone. I am currently a mortgage field inspector. That requires me to knock on people's doors often to deliver late notices or check on the occupancy of the home. People have nasty attitudes and act like that 1 minute of answering the door is somehow ruining their entire day. So I try to be the better person when people knock on my door. I let them speak, and then let them know I am not interested in the nicest way possible.

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      Sparkleaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      What a great answer peeples.  I have always had a place in my heart for those who go door to door and I admire your patience and compassion.  blessings, Sparklea

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8. 84

   B. Leekleyposted 9 years ago

   I never answer any call from anyone not on my caller ID. If I get a missed call from an unfamiliar number, I do a Google search to see if it is a telepest number. If it is, I put it in my caller ID with a warning note. If I get a call and my phone says something like "sales pest", I silence my phone and ignore the call. Years ago getting a telemarketing call was about the only trigger that got me cussing. I am very grateful for the invention of caller ID.
   
   Strangers very rarely come to our door. When it happens, it is usually either Jehovah Witnesses or an election campaign candidate or volunteer or Girl Scouts selling cookies or high school students raising money for band uniforms. I am tolerant of brief hello-goodbye visits from any of them. Door to door salespersons are pretty much extinct. They were a bother in the 1940s and 1950s when I was a kid.

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9. 80

   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   Once i received the annoying call i will save the number in my cellphone and give it a nickname. In future, with similar number, don't pick it up

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10. 60

    Sparkleaposted 9 years ago

    Marcy we have caller ID so we never answer an unfamiliar number.  If it is someone we know, they will always leave a message.
    We live in a neighborhood where we are sitting ducks for solicitors.  I am always cordial...I did purchase a cleaning solution from one person - it was not cheap, but I like it enough that I have reordered it on Amazon.
    I will usually buy a box of girl scout cookies or popcorn from children.
    The Jehovah Witnesses are more aggressive, but I am civil...I tell them I am busy, and I ask for a pamphlet...I never invite them in...or anyone...I always stand on the porch.
    However, the other night I was very tired and hungry...and we were just sitting down to eat.  I spotted two solicitors getting out of a car and walking different directions.  I was so tired I taped a big sign on the doors, "No Solicitors Please."  Never did that before, but for those who don't want them and see them coming, that might help...to post a sign.  Cell Phone...I do not pick up.  There is supposed to be a 'do not call' directory...I would suggest googling it.  Hope this helps Sparklea

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