Browse Forums Safer Living 1 May 26, 2009 6:24 pm Is there a correct term for the non-English speaking young men who cold call after hours, and after dark, trying to sell a new electricity company to me?
The second time in as many weeks a young Indian guy has knocked on our door and asked me about our electricity bills! We have a front porch, and a mesh security door at the end of it, so I'm never 'face-to-face' with them, and always safely locked inside, but my lord, they are annoying! The first one last week introduced himself three times because I couldn't understand him, then he gave up and just showed me his name tag and card that hung around his neck. I couldn't read it properly though. He said many people in our area have complained about the increase in costs on their electricity bills, and he just wanted a few moments of my time to look at my bill! Yeah sure, I'll pull out our bank statements too! Seriously? I sent him away and said I wasn't interested and am quite happy to pay for high rates! Then about 10 minutes ago, another one of them! I really couldn't understand this one, and sent him away too. Has anyone else had a similar situation? The new house we're building will not have a front security door, and I'm a little worried about this now... Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 2May 26, 2009 6:32 pm Good timing! My brother has recently put up a HUGE gate halfway up his driveway. He always keeps it closed. Apparently at about 7pm on night, the doorbell rang. Doorbell is inside the gates so he assumed it was either family, or his neighbour so he opened the door to see a salesman. Apparently he just went absolutely crazy and yelled at him saying things like "You came through my closed gate!? Get out before I make you get out!" and the poor man was so terrified he couldnt close the gate properly and my brother's yelling "Leave it and get out!" Dont know what he was selling hehe Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 3May 26, 2009 6:35 pm aaron4erin The new house we're building will not have a front security door, and I'm a little worried about this now... You can put one on after handover... another reason why I like to have a security door on the front door. but yeah I get them all the time.. but I enjoy chatting with them and seeing what they have to offer... I get my bill out and chat about the rates but from behind the door and they don't see the bill... after the discussion they realise that can't beat the rates I'm on and walk off all defeated.. same thing if a telemarketer calls me, I will listen to them... I don't see the need to be rude to them.. that industry employs alot of jobs in this country and more and more are being shipped overseas, so I will always let them speak. Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 5May 26, 2009 6:41 pm I agree Andy, I always let them speak too. In fact I have taken 2 up twice on their electricity/phone offer They are just doing their job, I'd rather them be working than stealing/being on the doll to get their money. I understand they come at annoying hours for some but it is probably due to more people being home at these hours... I don't think its bad if people don't want to be bothered by them, but there is no need for abusing them or being rude. My karma ran over your dogma Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 6May 26, 2009 6:45 pm Bam ^ Care to share your rates I had no idea that our neighbours complained about rates... like really? If we all complain (like he said people had done) does this mean the electricity company will make them cheaper? If that's the way it all works, then I should start complaining to all the utitlity companies, see if they all send sales people out? wakeboardandy You can put one on after handover... another reason why I like to have a security door on the front door. Not sure how easy this will be as we're having a 1200mm pivot door, and the door itself is a bit of a feature. Not sure we'd find a security door to fit that size anyway Might get a peep hold put in, that shouldn't ruin the look of the door too much, and maybe get one of those chain things that hotel rooms have. I guess that will be a start. Or just always asnwer the door armed Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 7May 26, 2009 6:50 pm haywgl I agree Andy, I always let them speak too. In fact I have taken 2 up twice on their electricity/phone offer I'd have let him speak if I could understand him (tonight's visitor), he just kept saying "m'am" and pointing in different directions... and back to a file in his hand. I heard the word 'electricity' and just thought of the guy from last week. I was trying not to be rude to him, but trying to tell him I wasn't interested at the same time (in whatever it was he was trying to say). Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 8May 26, 2009 6:51 pm There's a really simple solution. Put a sticker that says "No Canvassers" near your front door. Mum had one at her place.... they'd come to the front door.... see it and turn around and walk away. The Religious people are hardcore though... just tell them you're Satanic. They won't come back. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 9May 26, 2009 6:53 pm aaron4erin I guess that will be a start. Or just always asnwer the door armed speaking of armed, I can now get a gun safe... as currently I am renting I couldn't secure one to the wall, so I have to keep my guns at a friends house.. another thing to add to my list of stuff to do after handover.. Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 10May 26, 2009 6:55 pm wakeboardandy speaking of armed, I can now get a gun safe... as currently I am renting I couldn't secure one to the wall, so I have to keep my guns at a friends house.. another thing to add to my list of stuff to do after handover.. Note to self - dont play jokes on WBA after dark by roof-rocking his house - he may come out armed Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 11May 26, 2009 6:56 pm It can be hard when they are difficult to understand... If I am not in the mood to be nice, I just don't answer the door (to anyone!) One we had the other day, recognised DH who in turn invited him in and had me take photos for the guy with his mobile phone of the two of them The religious ones freak me out - surely if you want to find God you will do it on your own and not with the help of some bicycle riding, suit wearing polite young man My karma ran over your dogma Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 12May 26, 2009 7:00 pm haywgl One we had the other day, recognised DH who in turn invited him in and had me take photos for the guy with his mobile phone of the two of them : Is you DH a celebrity? ooh ooh elaborate... haywgl The religious ones freak me out - surely if you want to find God you will do it on your own and not with the help of some bicycle riding, suit wearing polite young man HAHAHAHAHA Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 13May 26, 2009 7:01 pm haywgl One we had the other day, recognised DH who in turn invited him in and had me take photos for the guy with his mobile phone of the two of them that would be funny... good on your DH for being so obliging for them.. were they a hawks fan? I don't think I will get a door knocker saying.. omg that is WBA from homeone forum... and wanting photos with me.. Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 15May 26, 2009 7:03 pm wakeboardandy haywgl One we had the other day, recognised DH who in turn invited him in and had me take photos for the guy with his mobile phone of the two of them that would be funny... good on your DH for being so obliging for them.. were they a hawks fan? Oh man, cryptic clues... come on I'm not that bright. Spell it out for me! Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 17May 26, 2009 7:11 pm haywgl :lol: Andy!! Aaron4erin - Judging by the photo in your avatar I don't think you would like my husband...think Grand Final Day last year We dont speak of that day in this house. It took me many years to recover from the '89 final. Points to you for not looking at the pic and calling me a collingw... oh I cant it, it's an awful word, supporter! Caused a bit of controversy with the choking thing... we just found it entertaining , not sure what all the hoo-ha was about . Great player (pity he's in the wrong colours, and his stripes run the wrong way) Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 18May 26, 2009 7:15 pm I speak politely but firmly, both to phone callers and door knockers - polite but firm definite No, not interested. I only get rude if they wont take no for an answer and get pushy. We actually find the phone callers more of a problem than the door knockers - we work shift work and put a Shift Worker Asleep sign on the front door if we are sleeping but then get woken by those bloody callers I guess we could take phone off the hook but I want it on incase someone needs to call me in an emergency. We are on the Do Not Call register which helps but doesnt eliminate all calls. PS: dont worry WBA - nobody ever wants their photo taken with Crane drivers or Aged Care nurses either Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 19May 26, 2009 7:16 pm So you worked it out Well done Oh yeah the choking thing....wasn't that a fun week of my life He can be a bit naughty on field, but off field you would not meet a more quiet/shy person. I wouldn't mind him playing for the cats either, it would mean I could be building a beautiful home in Ocean Grove next door to my best mate! Helyn - My karma ran over your dogma Re: Unwanted door-knockers! 20May 26, 2009 7:21 pm haywgl :lol: So you worked it out Well done I wouldn't mind him playing for the cats either, it would mean I could be building a beautiful home in Ocean Grove next door to my best mate! Helyn - He's welcome any time, would look nice in navy and white We could do with someone who has the ability to kick a few goals (Hawkins is driving me mental). Has he recovered from the knee injury from the other year? 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