Door to Door. . . Something

[WoodsDuck]

So this evening, 9pm to be exact, a guy knocked on my door, during a storm, to try and give me a doorbell security camera 


After deflecting his barrage of personal questions, I told him "I was eating dinner, so now I will close the door and continue doing that. You may leave."
What the smurf is this nonsense?

[Alan K.]

I can't believe you even opened the door.  That may have been a completely innocent, albeit rather unorthodox sales call after conventional business hours, but it also could have been a home invasion waiting for a place to happen.  It also may have been a distraction burglary where there is a team of burglars and one of them keeps you occupied at the front of the house while the other is breaking in the back.

I don't open my door if I'm not expecting someone.  I engage the caller through the window while my door remains safely locked, and then only long enough to tell them if they have information for me they can leave it in the mailbox for me to read, other wise I'm not interested, and they need to leave.

[WoodsDuck]

I can't believe you even opened the door.  That may have been a completely innocent, albeit rather unorthodox sales call after conventional business hours, but it also could have been a home invasion waiting for a place to happen.  It also may have been a distraction burglary where there is a team of burglars and one of them keeps you occupied at the front of the house while the other is breaking in the back.

I don't open my door if I'm not expecting someone.  I engage the caller through the window while my door remains safely locked, and then only long enough to tell them if they have information for me they can leave it in the mailbox for me to read, other wise I'm not interested, and they need to leave.

When I actually choose to open the door to an unexpected visitor, the hand they can't see is always holding a loaded gun. The only scenario that is really feasible from those you listed would be a straight up home invasion where that lone guy tries to bum rush me, during daylight hours, with half a dozen neighbors watching from their covered porches. Not to mention he was a tiny man standing at the foot of my steps. Not the greatest position to launch an attack.

I do think your approach is sensible though. 99 times out of 100 I wouldn't even respond to their presence. But I guess curiosity got the better of me.

[WoodsDuck]

Oh, and if any prospective crooks happen upon this thread, here's a piece of helpful advice;

Be very careful in Indiana 

[Alan K.]

" When I actually choose to open the door to an unexpected visitor, the hand they can't see is always holding a loaded gun. " - WoodsDuck

 

[Sea Monster]

Huh, Remind me not to ask to borrow a cup of sugar.

[dks]

 

[dks]

[Grant Lamontagne]

I always open the door.  But then right behind me is a 120 pound German shepherd and rottweiler mix who likes me, doesn't like strangers and is very territorial.



So you know, good luck to any home invaders.... and I hope they have a very powerful deity to pray to if they harm my Daisy, because I will show them that I am the biggest animal in the house if they do....

Def

[Aloha]

Late night sales  .  I also don't answer the door unless I'm expecting someone.  On the other hand I'm happy to see the guy has some serious determination to work.  I've got to give him a  for the hustle.  Now I wouldn't want him knocking at my door any time but still good on him.

I've recently posted a NO SOLICITATION sign on my door.  This usually keeps would be sales people from leaving flyers or knocking.     

[pfrsantos]

Next time, say this:



 

[ColoSwiss]

I always open the door.  But then right behind me is a 120 pound German shepherd and rottweiler mix who likes me, doesn't like strangers and is very territorial.

(Image removed from quote.)

So you know, good luck to any home invaders.... and I hope they have a very powerful deity to pray to if they harm my Daisy, because I will show them that I am the biggest animal in the house if they do....

Def

Good looking dog.   

[Grant Lamontagne]

Thanks.  She's my pride and joy.  I love that big girl. 

Def

[Sea Monster]

Honestly, I never have trouble with door-to-door types.

I'm not sure if it is just my area, or if the investment of getting up my driveway is more than they're willing to make.

[kkokkolis]

I hate offensive sales and I hate intruders (even when they just phone). When somebody does both, I hate him double. I'm always social to them but if they don't understand I wont be able to hold myself. They always understand thankfully. Perhaps my experience working with the mentally ill has helped me. People with mania I can handle easily, the brain damaged with compulsive behavior and people under benzodiazepines are the most difficult to handle and salesmen are nothing compared to them.

[Etherealicer]

I hate offensive sales and I hate intruders (even when they just phone). When somebody does both, I hate him double. I'm always social to them but if they don't understand I wont be able to hold myself. They always understand thankfully. Perhaps my experience working with the mentally ill has helped me. People with mania I can handle easily, the brain damaged with compulsive behavior and people under benzodiazepines are the most difficult to handle and salesmen are nothing compared to them.

Can't remember the last one that came to my door, but phone calls are pretty common.

My strategy, just put the telephone on mute and receiver on the table... Most sales persons talk so fast and much they don't realize that you are not on the phone anymore. Record stands at 18 min until the guy realized that he is only wasting his own time and hung up (phone protocols are a neat thing ).