Door-to-door alert: ID-less visitor

Yes, we know there are many legit door-to-door solicitors in the world. Nonetheless, our category of “door-to-door alerts” is a popular one, and absent some other type of clearinghouse, we pass along these notes from time to time. Here’s one just out of the inbox:

Hi- avid readers here on 51st Ave West of the Junction. Just had a
rather attitudinal young woman on our porch. She referred to me by a
wrong name she got off our mailbox. “Oh, you must be Mrs XYZ.” Wrong.

I said right off, and nicely, that we do not take solicitations at the door- (note to self: get the signs up – and for the neighbors too). She got defensive and said “how do you know I am soliciting?” I said “I wonder what you are doing because because you are on my porch, with no ID badge, no clipboard or materials, and I don’t know who you are.” And then the “Why, because I am black?” and I said “Not at all, now please leave the property” She turned around, sticking her tongue out and walked off towards the neighbors. Last seen she was heading north up 51st Place – 4700 Block.

One point in this note: If you have a “no solicitors” sign at your door, they’re not allowed to knock.

16 Replies to "Door-to-door alert: ID-less visitor"

  • add October 8, 2007 (5:42 pm)

    We just had a similar experience up on Gatewood Hill (39th south of Morgan), about 15 minutes ago – they guy had no ID, but did have some kind of laminated booklet/flyer that I didn’t bother to look at closely. Like the poster above, I said that I was not interested in purchasing anything and got a similar defensive response. I had to say “thank you, but no” several times before the young man finally left, muttering that I wouldn’t even give him an opportunity.

    I always feel bad to turn someone away like that, and am always polite, but we all know it’s in our best interests to do so, especially with no ID and aggressive tactics.

    Thanks for the reminder to get the “no solicitation” signs up – my son even said tonight – why don’t we get those signs?? Smart boy.

  • Erik October 8, 2007 (6:14 pm)

    I’ve seen two different males in the past hour down here on 61st. Saw him coming so let the dog out….works better than a sign.

  • Katherine October 8, 2007 (6:48 pm)

    This woman sounds like the same one who came through our neighborhood recently. She did have some kind of laminated ID around her neck then. The neighbors say she was high. When I told her I don’t buy from people at the door, she opened my screen door, made as if to usher me out, and said, “We can do it at the curb.” I had a hard time getting rid of her. I’ve had three young men this summer, too. Two of them said the same thing when I refused to buy – very plaintively, “What did I do wrong?” They’re being coached. One of my neighbors said they gave them the money for the magazines they were supposedly selling, but never received a magazine.

  • Christopher Boffoli October 8, 2007 (7:47 pm)

    A note from the Seattle Police Department’s Benjamin Kinlow on this very subject:

    Your concern [about shady door-to-door solicitors] is well founded. Yes, you can call the non-emergency number.

    I am recommending that all neighbors immediately post “No Solicitors” signs on your homes. Print one off your computer until you buy one. Whenever you see anyone that going door to door, this is the perfect opportunity to call and alert all you neighbors to keep a special watch on these individuals until they leave the neighborhood. Please encourage every block adjacent to your to organize a Block Watch.

    If you and your neighbors are interested in finding ways to make your block and neighborhood safer, then I would suggest hosting a Block Watch meeting. I will bring out material for all the neighbors and conduct the Block Watch meeting. To schedule a date and time for a Block Watch meeting please call me.

    Please share this information with neighbors, friends, relatives, agencies, organizations, churches, businesses, patients, clients, and those you meet.

    Benjamin Kinlow, 684-7724
    Community Crime Prevention Coordinator
    Seattle Police Department
    Southwest Precinct, 2300 SW Webster St, 98106
    benjamin.kinlow@seattle.gov
    Fax: (206) 733-9324
    Together we can make a difference!

  • carraignasplinkeen October 8, 2007 (8:04 pm)

    Interesing, was just reading this when the doorbell rang–guess they moved towards Alki.
    Am now printing the No Soliciting sign…

  • jb October 8, 2007 (8:10 pm)

    Had a very articulate young women and her “sidekick” trainee right around 5ish in the upper Fauntleroy area. Selling magazines/earning points to try to get a better job etc. The minute I told them I don’t give money or buy anything at my door, they weren’t so friendly and pretty much high tailed it. Why am I the one who ends up feeling bad? I hate to do it, but I guess it’s time for the no soliciting sign.

  • Sue October 8, 2007 (8:34 pm)

    I googled “no soliciting” signs and came up with this rather amusing one: http://www.thinkgeek.com/files/no-soliciting.pdf
    The average person wouldn’t read all of it, but it’s certainly to the point!

  • fiz October 8, 2007 (9:02 pm)

    Two of the most aggressive and frightening solicitors to ever knock on our door scoffed at our ‘no solicitors’ sign. Don’t assume it will protect you from them.

  • Jan October 8, 2007 (9:44 pm)

    hahaha…Sue…I absolutely love it…I may make a copy for my building :)

  • grr October 8, 2007 (10:52 pm)

    I simply do NOT ANSWER the doorbell. It only takes 5 seconds for someone to look into your house to see if there’s an alarm keypad nearby or a plasma TV on the wall (and a nice car out front).

    it’s a sad reality these days. Same thing goes for Craigslist. Just say no to advertising ANYTHING that lets strangers into your home to scope it out.

  • Gatewood too October 8, 2007 (11:23 pm)

    jb, it sounds like we had the same two at our door this evening, on the south end of California Avenue. A No Soliciting sign is a great idea.

  • Katherine October 9, 2007 (8:01 am)

    fiz, a No Soliciting sign may not keep them away, but you can call the police on them if they ignore it. THAT may protect you. After my last experience, I printed off a sign and stuck it to the front door. I will call if anyone else comes up on my porch.

  • jen October 9, 2007 (10:24 am)

    Those personal sales pitches drive me nuts. I had one of those magazine guys once say how would I feel if I was the ONLY person on my street that didn’t “help” him. Puhleeease!

  • Gina October 9, 2007 (4:00 pm)

    Someday I am going to post a sign on my gate that says “No-one gets in to see the Wizard. Not nobody, not no-how.”

  • add October 9, 2007 (9:12 pm)

    It was a little creepy – the same guy who came to my door last night and was hard to turn away rang my doorbell again tonight. I have a window column next to my door and when I saw him I waved him away and shook my head “no”. He went on to the neighbor’s house. It’s weird that he came back…

  • Dave October 28, 2007 (4:47 pm)

    Just had a guy come up yesterday with the laminated folder and bizarre order sheets. (9000 block of 34th) It looked so pathetic that I couldn’t believe it was a scam at first. However, when he mentioned he had a website, I asked the URL and said I’d order and use his ID # as a reference. That pretty much got him tongue-tied, as he said he didn’t have an ID and then stammered that an order would help him buy a new pair of slacks (he began the pitch by saying he was funding his computer science studies), I told him to come back tomorrow for an answer as I’d have to ask my wife–which made him very suspicious when he left. I’m not surprised that he failed to show today. Probably thought I’d have a squad car here waiting!

Sorry, comment time is over.