| Author |
Message |
    
deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 622
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 7:46 pm: |     |
I have a dog who barks his head off when the doorbell is rung by a stranger...and a toddler who is having sleep issues. So, you guessed it, the toddler was almost asleep this evening when the doorbell rang. It was a "clean air in NJ" canvasser who had been here earlier, during my work hours, and been sent on his way. Now the dog is barking, the kid is screaming, and I say, "Look, if this isn't truly urgent, can you skip this house? I really can't help you right now." To which he answers, "Well, this is an urgent issue. We are canvassing for clean air in New Jersey." Finally I snap, "Take me off your list! I'm not interested!" and slam the door shut. Now, I am not opposed to clean air, but isn't there some better way of getting my attention? How do other people deal with these in-person telemarketers?
Ventingly yours, dg |
Jackie Day
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 45
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 8:03 pm: | |
I have to agree with you, Deborahg, and wish I had an answer. The same "clean air" guy came to my house the other night at almost 9 pm! My kids were in bed, and my dog is a major major barker, so you can imagine how annoying it was, not to mention the hour. I thought it was a friend with an emergency or something. Anyway, the guy was with NJPIRG, which is a nonprofit group that lobbies for various causes I do support, as a matter of fact, and which tends to recruit college student volunteers to do its thing. I was a member of NYPIRG, the New York counterpart, in college, and did this type of thing myself. I know the door-to-door thing is a pain for these kids, and they learn the hard way about how people react to their cause and how hard it is to convince people to donate money, etc. It's very difficult. However, doing it at 9pm is not acceptable in my opinion. I should've said as much to my NJPIRG guy but I felt bad for him given my own challenging experience with a "PIRG." (PIRG stands for Public Interest Research Group). You might try going to NJPIRG's web site -- I assume they have one -- and seeing if there's a way to email them about your gripe. I may do the same. |
#9Dream
Citizen
Username: 9dream
Post Number: 485
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 9:40 am: | |
9 PM is inexcusable. It hasn't happened to me but if it did, I'd give the canvasser a piece of my mind.
Thankfully the Jehovah's Witnesses haven't rung our bell in a long time. |
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 110
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 12:32 pm: | |
While I respect the -PIRG people for their beliefs and efforts, and respect (despite disagreeing with) the religious beliefs of the Witnesses, and want to help the Boy/Girl Scouts, I hatehatehate having people make me come to myfront door so they can ask me for money I am not inclined to donate. I can't give to everyone, as much as I'd like to, yet I feel humiliated when I turn down some earnest college kid or grade schooler looking for just a few bucks. I don't intend to be mean or stingy, but that's how I feel.
I have considered putting a "no soliciting" note on my front door. |
virgilian
Citizen
Username: Virgilian
Post Number: 62
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 2:38 pm: | |
Oh life in our leafy village is so trying. How do we survive it?
Your Consuming, Conditioned Colonial Cottages have an impact on our air and water quality. As does that fat car your screaming kids enjoy. |
#9Dream
Citizen
Username: 9dream
Post Number: 491
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 3:04 pm: | |
Oh dear, speaking of unwelcome intrusions! I've got news for you, hotshot; that computer you're sitting at is running on electricity, not solar power. And I presume you get your perfect little angels around on a bicycle?
You may now crawl back under your rock. |
critter
Citizen
Username: Critter
Post Number: 12
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 3:56 pm: | |
Just an FYI: NJPIRG is not a nonprofit--and neither are many of the other door-to-door solicitors who represent causes that sound very nonprofitish. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 4:09 pm: | |
I used to do that for some group that wanted to put an incinerator someplace. We got paid on a scale. So if you raised $250 in a night you’d get like $60. We had to ask for specific amounts $30, $75. Some days you might hit and elderly lady who would cut you a check for like $300.
People would yell and scream in our face all the time, but I guess it beat working at McDonalds, plus we just made fun of them back at the office.
|
critter
Citizen
Username: Critter
Post Number: 13
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 4:31 pm: | |
Just an FYI: NJPIRG is not a nonprofit--and neither are many of the other door-to-door solicitors who represent causes that sound very nonprofitish. |
Tommy Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 252
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 5:23 pm: | |
The Jehovah's Witnesses came to our door when my wife was home last week. She smothered them with kindness and gave some viewpoints they hadn't thought of which they had to agree with. For example, the fact that there are wars is often the result of fear and misunderstanding.
I haven't had the patience for people like that. Sometimes I wish I did, and sometimes I don't.
Tom Reingold
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virgilian
Citizen
Username: Virgilian
Post Number: 63
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 5:23 pm: | |
no, #9, I just gave a charming, enthusiastic lass and her cause a little dough. |
#9Dream
Citizen
Username: 9dream
Post Number: 496
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 10:26 am: | |
Well, that's very nice of you, but what does that have to do with your unprovoked attack on every single person who lives in a house and/or has a car and/or a child? |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 179
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 2:22 pm: | |
Deborahg: Before I put my preschooler down to sleep, I tape a note to the door-bell button saying, "DO NOT RING. BABY SLEEPING." It works. I keep the sign just inside my front door so that it is convenient when I need it. |
deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 630
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 4:01 pm: | |
Good idea!! Thanks!
Maybe even : Do Not Ring: Baby Sleeping. No Solicitors, Please.
|
beppolina
Citizen
Username: Beppolina
Post Number: 19
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 2:56 pm: | |
I'll get hollered at for mentioning this....We don't have kids, but we pay about $12,500 in taxes to live here. So when you want me to shell out $20 for your kid's CHS fencing team, or $10 for a band fundraiser, etc. I feel like politely reminding you that I'm already handsomely subsidizing CHS in return for no services, thanks very much.
But I can't remind you, because it's not you at the front door -- it's your kid. |
Mr. Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 278
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 3:20 pm: | |
beppolina, I don't think anyone should holler at you for feeling that way. It's understandable. I'd feel the same way in your shoes.
I trust you're polite with the kids who canvass. It's easy enough to say, "no, I don't care to contribute, but good luck."
And I suppose you can be happy that the fencing club (or whatever else) isn't paid for fully with your tax dollars. You would probably prefer that they have to canvass for the money rather than being handed it as an entitlement.
Tom Reingold |
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