Unwelcome Visistors aka People who need to get off my lawn

[J.A.F.E.]

We don't know any of the neighbors being fairly new to the neighborhood so it's pretty unusual for anyone to ring the bell unless maybe the odd package delivery.

I get a persistent ring on the bell and a rattling of the security door. I open the door and two guys in hard hats are standing there one with the knob to my security door in firmly gripped in his hand. Glad I keep that double locked.

They start with the do you know this neighbor? No. Have you seen our trucks with company name on them the last few days? No. All of your neighbors are using us for whatever service. Good for them. Then he steps even closer trying to show me a pic on his cell phone. At that point I just slammed the door shut and I think they were not expecting that. I know it was rude and it was rude by intent. Every contractor around here pulls that same game and it gets old. I really don't care if every house for 100 miles radius uses these clowns it makes no difference to me I'll decide based on my criteria.

Anyway if they just said something like we're in the neighborhood and wanted to talk to you I could be more civil but I really object to the BS and to me that approach is solid waste. But then these aren't the people doing the work they are sales types in work clothes and usually hardhats masquerading as workers and I find that disingenuous as well.

A really big alarm company with three initials for a name came knocking a couple weeks back with that same tactic. I happen to know two different people who were burglarized with their system and they seem to fall back on our system works great you never set the alarm and somehow they always have an excuse why you can't see the alarm log. Besides, do think people are complete idiots and will just discuss their security system with any mouth breather that knocks on their door? I was nowhere near as polite with those guys as I was today.

While I'm on a rant... it's like car dealers when they start yammering about Motortrend says this or Car and Driver says that or this one calls this the best car in class - I call them on it every time and demand to see the whole article so I can review it in context. Never had anyone with the whole article to back it up. But they do get flustered. Gee if you have to rely on testimonial selling you don't have much to sell.

Not sure what the point was just don't like being BS'd and I don't like people coming into my castle and disturbing my day.

[jabberwoki]

You were way more polite than I am.

[slip knot]

Ring the bell like normal and get treated like normal. Those types usually get greeted with a firearm and WTF you want. They don't stay long.

[ron350]

What Slip Knot said.

About a year ago a black man and woman wearing ATT id,s pined to their shirts beat on my front door. It was after 7 PM and was dark outside so I came at them from the side with my pistol in one hand and a big flashlight in their faces.

Asked them if they could not read the two No Trespassing signs they walked past to get to my front door. They said no that it was my responsibility to have my front porch light on so they can see the sign. I told them they were responsible to get out of my yard before I had them arrested for trespassing.  They were the last people to knock on my front door.

[DeadNutz]

Ring the bell like normal and get treated like normal. Those types usually get greeted with a firearm and WTF you want. They don't stay long.

That's how it works around here. They usually aren't stupid enough to open the gate to approach the house. I run them off and if they head towards a neighbor's house I tell them that is a bad idea but go ahead and play with fire. It seems like once a year we get the guy in the pickup saying they just finished a paving job down the road and have enough asphalt left to do my driveway. They disappear when I say I'll give them $100 to do a good job.

[pep]

You were way more polite than I am.

Ditto

[J.A.F.E.]

I like the way you guys think.

I don't have a gate but am considering putting one in complete with no trespassing sign.

[ron350]

Don’t forget a No Solicitors sticker on the front door.

[DeadNutz]

I have a sign that says "If you can read this you are in range".

[fatfillup]

Almost never get door to door salespeople in our neighborhood.

Robocalls at work, well that is a different story 

[muddy]

Come at me with a poor attitude and your gonna get a poor attitude right back.

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

[goodfellow]

Just in the last year I've noticed a large uptick in that scam as well. Guys wearing hardhats and dressed in work clothes wearing yellow safety vests showing up and trying that same lame sales pitch. I'm usually polite, but when they get to asking a lot of questions I just close the door and say - "thanks for the information"

They usually leave, but two/three years ago two scroungy looking guys trying to sell me on a new roof started walking around my property taking pictures of the house after I told them I wasn't interested. I confronted them in the back yard and told them in no uncertain terms that they were trespassing and that my wife was calling the police. I also made sure they saw my holstered SIG 9mm pistol -- they didn't say a word, and left. I was a little leery for the next few evenings thinking that these guys might have intended to come back and rip off tools in the machine shop and garage. I slept with my handgun and pump shotgun within reach of the bed for about a week.

[goodfellow]

Come at me with a poor attitude and your gonna get a poor attitude right back.

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

yup -- that's about the way it works with our family as well. My wife (more so than I) has no qualms about giving someone a verbal attitude adjustment if they are stepping way over the line. A common trait of many retired elementary and high school teachers -- LOL

[gtermini]

Friend of mine has this sign along the driveway of his rural farmhouse. He says the Jehovah's will stop, read it, then turn around and drive out. Says that never gets old.

[walrus]

seriously, would any of us pick a contractor based on  cold sales call?  I might get a call (used to anyway when I had a land line) about windows or siding. But a cold at your door sales call, screw that.

[J.A.F.E.]

seriously, would any of us pick a contractor based on  cold sales call?  I might get a call (used to anyway when I had a land line) about windows or siding. But a cold at your door sales call, screw that.

I do just about everything here anyway and I figure most of us are probably the same. But something I needed to hire out pretty much the last choice would be some poser dressed up in work clothes knocking at my door.

My grandfather and his wife (second wife not my grandmother) were in their 90's when some clowns knocked on the door claiming they were there to fix the roof and literally stormed their way in. Long story but they were just common thieves one of them went to the bank with my GF's wife while the others stayed at the house with my GF. Making themselves at home all the while. They got taken to the tune of about 3k so not the end of their life savings but a lot of money to them plus whatever trinkets and souvenirs the ones that stayed at home with my GF decided they deserved for their hard work.

[Lookin4_67GalaxieConv]

With telemarketers calling, as soon as I get wind of it, I hang up immediately.  I really resent people coming to my house uninvited.  If I didn't invite you, don't think you can feel free to stop by.  I don't want to hear your sales pitch.  If you have materials you want to leave me, fine, but that's all you're getting from me.

[fatfillup]

seriously, would any of us pick a contractor based on  cold sales call?  I might get a call (used to anyway when I had a land line) about windows or siding. But a cold at your door sales call, screw that.

A lot of cons involve letting the mark think he is getting an exceptional deal, or getting over on the company a bit, so once that greed kicks in on the mark, he is vulnerable and would do things logical people wouldn't.



Lookin4, I am with you, I don't want unannounced guests at my house, and that goes for family and best friends.  Let me know you are coming and I am good.  As to unannounced salespeople, thank you, NO.

I never go to someone's house unannounced, I call first.

[J.A.F.E.]

A lot of cons involve letting the mark think he is getting an exceptional deal, or getting over on the company a bit, so once that greed kicks in on the mark, he is vulnerable and would do things logical people wouldn't.

[snip]

I have heard that's why spam often works the poor English and awkward writing make the person they are scamming thinks they are smarter than the spammer and can get one over.

[snip]

I never go to someone's house unannounced, I call first.

I have a couple close friends who are always welcome expected or not. But I am like you even though those same friends would be (unbelievably) happy to see me show up on their doorstep I would always call first.

[pep]

A lot of cons involve letting the mark think he is getting an exceptional deal, or getting over on the company a bit, so once that greed kicks in on the mark, he is vulnerable and would do things logical people wouldn't.

[snip]


 That only works on dumb people..

I have heard that's why spam often works the poor English and awkward writing make the person they are scamming thinks they are smarter than the spammer and can get one over.

Can't understand how not being able to understand someone, or read what they are writing.

Would make that person a candidate for me to do business with. I pull no punches on that, my line in the sand.

pep

[coolmercury]

Nobody comes to our place, we have a gate and a sign that says "no entry on this property without written permission."  The house is a mile from the hard road.

Many years ago when I was a pilot in the Air Force I was off on TDY somewhere.  The Mormons kept coming to the mobile home we lived in to talk to my wife.  I had bought her a revolver and the third time they came around she went to the door with the revolver in hand and told them she was not interested.  They never came back!

[fatfillup]

Can't understand how not being able to understand someone, or read what they are writing.

Would make that person a candidate for me to do business with. I pull no punches on that, my line in the sand.

pep

I do business most everyday with folks who are hard to understand, but I am selling to them

Lots of Hispanic business owners and workers do pressure washing and buy tools

[GNAP]

I’m just a bastard, not only do I NOT want strangers in or around my house, except the daughter and the grandkids, I don’t want my or my wife’s family in or around my house. I have zero patience and apparently have extremely high regards for my property and my privacy.

I have no problem, with peoples beliefs or their preferred religion, but I don’t want to know your beliefs, keep it to yourself. I have my beliefs, and that’s exactly what they are “My Beliefs”, I sure as hell, not going to tell you mine, because I have have absolutely no interest, in listening to yours.

A quick story, I was butchering a deer in the garage and a either a group of Mormans or Jehovahs Witnesses (not sure, didn’t ask) showed up, I met them at the side garage door covered in blood, holding a bloody towel and a butcher knife, as they were about to spout their spiel, I said, “right now I’m in the middle of a ritual sacrifice, if they could come back later, it would be greatly appreciated”, they left without a word and never returned.

[highland512]

A quick story, I was butchering a deer in the garage and a either a group of Mormans or Jehovahs Witnesses (not sure, didn’t ask) showed up, I met them at the side garage door covered in blood, holding a bloody towel and a butcher knife, as they were about to spout their spiel, I said, “right now I’m in the middle of a ritual sacrifice, if they could come back later, it would be greatly appreciated”, they left without a word and never returned.

 

[walrus]

I’m just a bastard,

Pretty sure that common knowledge around here 

[Rural53]

A quick story, I was butchering a deer in the garage and a either a group of Mormans or Jehovahs Witnesses (not sure, didn’t ask) showed up, I met them at the side garage door covered in blood, holding a bloody towel and a butcher knife, as they were about to spout their spiel, I said, “right now I’m in the middle of a ritual sacrifice, if they could come back later, it would be greatly appreciated”, they left without a word and never returned.

 

Love it   


On a Saturday afternoon, when I was a teenager, I was mucking around on a Saturday afternoon getting our hiab truck ready to go and pick up a vintage tractor while Dad was washing his Mercedes tip truck (Soap/broom/waterblast). He had it pulled up almost at the road gate. We watched a couple of young Jehovahs Witnesses pull up and park on the grass outside our house. They got out and started knocking on doors across the road. We lived on a loop road in the country with five houses across the road and two farms and our house on our side of the road. They didn't have much luck across the road, saw us and started towards us. As they crossed the road Dad stopped and told them we weren't interested. As they stepped through the gate Dad continued the sweep of the waterblaster passed the truck cab and washed the two trespassers. They just stopped with their mouths open. At this point our fox terrier, who had been entertaining herself out of sight down the driveway beside the truck shed realised something was going on and started barking, sounding like something much much bigger. I have never seen two wet young guys run so fast in my life. Dad just commented "I told them we weren't interested". That afternoon we went and picked up a Farmall B in fairly good condition.

[highland512]

I will never forget the time two JW knocked on the door on CHRISTMAS EVE while the family was gathering. My grandfather, dad, and uncles might have chased them out of the county. I had never seen my granddad that mad, he was always very easy going and calm but that night, wow, those JW's poked the bear.

[ken w.]

I saw a video clip where a couple Mormon's stopped at this house. He asked them if they were  the threesome he ordered. The look on their faces was priceless. 

[J.A.F.E.]

The previous owners of the house were involved with some group like that. Guys who could be JWs or similar were coming around asking for sister Previous Owner or brother Previous Owner. I was nice the first time explaining I didn't know where they went or how to get ahold of them, which I don't. I wasn't quite as nice the second time especially once they started walking up the driveway headed for the garage.

At least I haven't seen them since.

[Rural53]

I had a knock at the door at dinner time a couple of summers ago. It was not long after the new Labour/Greens coalition government had got in and they were talking about stopping issuing any more oil exploration permits. It was a Greenpeace minion trying to get signatures for a partition supporting this. Because I was bought up to be polite I listened to him and asked a few questions. His answers seemed very much to be memorised "Stock answer to Question #23" type answers. After a couple of these I decided I didn't really need to engage with him and my dinner was getting cold so I told him "Actually I can't be arsed arguing with you. You might get a better reception from the new age hippy next door. F*&k off" and shut the door in his face. Now Mark, my neighbour, does in fact look like a bit of a new age, shaved head and earrings. I really did set the poor little minion up because Mark had got home the previous night from his two week stint working on the drilling floor of the offshore exploration rig over in the Maui field in Taranaki. I could hear his response to the minion's invitation to sign the partition from my place. Yes, I am evil sometimes 

[J.A.F.E.]

That is very funny. I admire your patience I would never be so polite especially with my dinner waiting.

We are having primaries here soon so lots of door knocking. Even if I agree or support the candidate I'll run them off and not politely.

[eborcim]

When my FIL gets a telemarketer  on the phone he says "Hang on a second", retrieves his air horn, and gives them a blast.9

[highland512]

What pisses me off almost as JW are these damn robo calls. I get many calls on my work phone from out of state and I have to answer them. I dont know if there is anything that pisses me off as much answering a call to her a robo voice say "hello............................................."

[bonneyman]

What pisses me off almost as JW are these damn robo calls. I get many calls on my work phone from out of state and I have to answer them. I dont know if there is anything that pisses me off as much answering a call to her a robo voice say "hello............................................."

I hear ya. I found a pair of old style Caller ID boxes for the house. Now if I'm at the computer and the phone rings, I just look over and check before answering. A quick pick up and hang up eliminates the dozen or so messages at the end of the day. Need to run a phone line to the living room with the spare phone and ID box so we don't have to stop movies and run to the kitchen only to discover it's a fake call.
got rid of the work phone number so any calls there I can screen.

[TexasT]

No home phone so no prob with those calls. I don't hand out the personal number very often and block pretty much any number that call that I don't know. I at first thought, "text, what a silly thing", but that is the way most of my communication takes place. With four children and wife, everyone busy, the text can be sent to one, all or a selection of the group, and they can reply when they have time. Even my car buddies we just text back and forth pretty much all the time. I drive for a living and the company and govt frown on talking on the phone so the text works great.

As far as the stranger to the door, the dog could take care of that If he is allowed to. He is a lab mix, about 70lbs and very protective of his home and family. His name is Jet and he is black and super quick. If that ain't enough, well, this is Texas, and you can surmise what might happen as far as weapons and such. All know how to load and operate and the range isn't a strange place to our family.

The beware of dog sign is prominent, and I need one that states the locked door is for their protection, not ours. Or one that states, nothing in here is worth risking your life for. Castle doctrine is a glorious thing.

[goodfellow]

Just had a kid yesterday trying to sell magazine subscriptions intended to help some charitable educational opportunity organization. These (mostly minority) kids are sent out across our neighborhoods in large numbers once/twice a year and they are a complete scam. The magazine subscriptions are never sent, and the organizations are phony shell companies that only exist for a few months to support the scam; then they disappear.

[DeadNutz]

Just had a kid yesterday trying to sell magazine subscriptions intended to help some charitable educational opportunity organization. These (mostly minority) kids are sent out across our neighborhoods in large numbers once/twice a year and they are a complete scam. The magazine subscriptions are never sent, and the organizations are phony shell companies that only exist for a few months to support the scam; then they disappear.

We don't see those scams here as they like residential neighborhoods and not homes spread out on acreage thank goodness.

[Matt_T]

I don't hand out the personal number very often

I don't hand out my cellphone number to anyone outside family and close friends. Everyone else gets the google voice # 

[john k]

Long driveway, plus a mile from the paved road.   Have never gotten a trick or treater back here.  Used to get  JW, til I told a member I worked with not to stop again.  Neighborhood getting shy of folks with big time farmers clearing the old farms.  Got rid of the landline, and text mostly.

[fatfillup]

My shop phone and cell phone are on my business card and I really don't have a problem except with robocalls.  Got rid of the home phone 10 years ago and don't miss it a bit. 

[J.A.F.E.]

Just had a kid yesterday trying to sell magazine subscriptions intended to help some charitable educational opportunity organization. These (mostly minority) kids are sent out across our neighborhoods in large numbers once/twice a year and they are a complete scam. The magazine subscriptions are never sent, and the organizations are phony shell companies that only exist for a few months to support the scam; then they disappear.

The magazine subscriptions are often really bad. Most of the kids are not local and brought in to areas they don't know far from home and dropped off somewhere and picked up later at some other point. They usually get taken too - they don't get paid and you don't get the magazines.

[pkerot]

When my FIL gets a telemarketer  on the phone he says "Hang on a second", retrieves his air horn, and gives them a blast.9

Another thing that works good on telemarketers.   Ask them, "You dont mind if I masturbate while you talk, do you?"

[slip knot]

When my FIL gets a telemarketer  on the phone he says "Hang on a second", retrieves his air horn, and gives them a blast.9

Another thing that works good on telemarketers.   Ask them, "You dont mind if I masturbate while you talk, do you?"

I asked one about what color panties she was wearing, she got bent a bit and I reminded her that she called me and I could ask any questions I wanted.

[GNAP]

Usually a few choruses of the 4 letter aria, they usually stop calling..................

[DeadNutz]

Mid-morning today I looked out the kitchen window down to the barn and saw my next-door neighbor standing in the barn talking to the lady keeping her donkeys here. I don't even want to know how high my blood pressure had shot up seeing that. I waited until they walked up to the ranch gate to leave as the boarder had parked on the road. I was waiting at the driveway gate closer to the neighbor's place and as he walked by I asked him what the hell he was doing on my property without asking me. He offered some lame excuse about knocking on the door or calling first but said we had talked about him coming over to see the donkeys. I lit into him and he asked if he was banished from my property and I said yes. I asked him how he would like to look out his window and see me wandering around his property.

I'm glad I had warned the boarder about this possibility and told her that he was a nosy SOB and would try to get any info out of her that he could. I knew this day would come and I joined the many other neighbors who have been pissed off by him and his actions. He is a guy who calls the county to report you or calls the cops if he feels wronged. I guess he didn't think the No Trespassing signs on the gates didn't apply to him.

[jabberwoki]

Atta boy git him.