I'm pretty grumpy. I admit it. Art will verify it for you. We've had a stream of voggy (volcanic smog) days and I don't know if it's just that or maybe a bug I've caught. My energy level is down and I am not feeling patient.
When I was resting, the doorbell rang and Art went to the door. Turns out it was ANOTHER Rainbow salesperson. I took a photo of her from my window. The box contains the vacuum cleaner.
Wasn't it a month ago that they got mom out of her sick bed, into our house and coerced her to listen to their vacuum cleaner spiel after presenting her with a FREE air purifier which they took away when I came home and saw what he was doing? They did the same free air purifier trick with me the year before. In that instance they asked if I would do them a big favor by accepting the air purifier and letting them know how it worked.
Yes I fell for it. I like to help young people when I can.
After that we put up the No Soliciting sign.
This time we knew better and Art told her he wasn't interested in accepting her air purifier. These salespeople never mention the vacuum cleaner when they first come to the door. Art pointed out the No Soliciting sign next to the door.
"But I'm not selling anything," she said. "This is a free gift."
Now that is a terrible lie and a scam. And yes, I have contacted the Office of Consumer Protection, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaii, but I don't think there's a lot they can do. They're selling vacuum cleaners which isn't against the law. They lie about the free air purifier. They take up a ton of your time because most people try to be polite. But they stay just on the safe side of the law.
When we attended the AARP Fraud seminar last week, they gave us permission to be rude. Art was nice this time. The next time they show up... because I really think they will, I hope I'm there because I will give them a piece of my mind.
Especially if it's a voggy, crabby day.
Wasn't it a month ago that they got mom out of her sick bed, into our house and coerced her to listen to their vacuum cleaner spiel after presenting her with a FREE air purifier which they took away when I came home and saw what he was doing? They did the same free air purifier trick with me the year before. In that instance they asked if I would do them a big favor by accepting the air purifier and letting them know how it worked.
Yes I fell for it. I like to help young people when I can.
After that we put up the No Soliciting sign.
"But I'm not selling anything," she said. "This is a free gift."
Now that is a terrible lie and a scam. And yes, I have contacted the Office of Consumer Protection, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaii, but I don't think there's a lot they can do. They're selling vacuum cleaners which isn't against the law. They lie about the free air purifier. They take up a ton of your time because most people try to be polite. But they stay just on the safe side of the law.
When we attended the AARP Fraud seminar last week, they gave us permission to be rude. Art was nice this time. The next time they show up... because I really think they will, I hope I'm there because I will give them a piece of my mind.
Especially if it's a voggy, crabby day.
I hate the door to door stuff. I have no tolerance for it at all. We especially get it at the office and you would not believe the monster I become.
ReplyDeleteWe have lived here 7 years and have only had two door-to-door sales persons. Both were selling the same thing...meat. They had to get rid of their supply quickly so it would not spoil and they were giving us a deal. Now who would want to buy cheap meat on its last leg??
ReplyDeleteGosh Kay, hope you feel better soon. Vitamins? Maybe the same "bug" as what Mom had? I didn't realize the vog came over from the Big Island that much.
ReplyDeleteAre you SURE there's not a sign on your roof that says, "come on over Rainbow guys?" Three times in recent history sounds like you're the house for the beginners. It is sad how the salespeople are trying to earn a living, but it might make them appreciate a chance for more education. Too bad the pineapple processing plants aren't still around to give them a job, like what you did.
Practice in front of a mirror: "I'm not interested, thank you, please leave." and close the door. (Could even tape the phrase to the inside of your door.) When I get soliciting phone calls, I tell them, "I appreciate your organization, but I have my own charity, thank you." and hang up. (Heck, sometimes "my own charity" is ME and my own bills!)
I don't know if contacting the local Rainbow franchise owner will help. Letting them know Mom could accidentally let them in and buy the vacuum could just sent more salesmen.
Good luck, get well. I'd buy the vacuum only if it sucks up vog. Aloha, DrumMajor
No, contacting the Rainbow dealer is NOT the answer. That gives you a person to talk to, and they are a persuasive bunch. They then have your phone number, you called them, which means you have a relationship with them, and they can now call you any time they wish.
Deletego get em' Kay! lol, I don't blame you one bit, I know people have to make a living but this is crossing the line, hope they dont mess with you again, look out is all I can say to them, lol.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get over that voggy feeling quickly.
ReplyDeleteSome situations demand departure from our usual polite selves.
I have stopped being polite to people trying to give me something for "free."
I too hate to be rude to door-to-door salespersons, they always look so pitiful. I remember the voggy days. Kiluaa erupted most of the summer in 1969 as I recall. Dianne
ReplyDeleteLuckily people like that rarely come to my house.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard not to be at least polite to people who have to do that kind of job, but this company seems to train their people to be particularly aggressive. They got into your house once so they probably will keep coming back. I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteThat've actually gotten in twice! The first time was my fault. The second was mom. That's probably why I'm so frustrated.
DeleteFortunately my locked gate keeps those types at bay. I would not try to avoid being rude. When telemarketers call with that "free gift" spiel to get past the "do not call" application, I just hang up. I know they are just trying to make a living, but not here thank you. Crabby sometimes just feels good.
ReplyDeleteHope you mellow soon.
We have the water heater people trying to barge into our house to change our old water heater to the new energy efficient ones. They are quite aggressive. This nice young girl came to our house in the middle of winter and I was on the verge of giving her our gas bill information when I realized I would have to sign something, and decided this was not the right way to go about doing this. It seemed awfully rushed. I even took her to the basement to look at the water heater and she gave me a spiel of information. So now I don't let them inside.
ReplyDeleteThat is awful, that kind of aggressive marketing. Thank you for pointing this out so that others won't be taken in. Fortunately where I live I don't get salespersons. They must know already that we don't want what they have to offer! :-)
ReplyDeleteI always keep my front door closed and locked. If someone knocks or presses the door bell, I look through the peep hole in the door, and if it is nobody I know, I simply walk away without acknowledging them. Can't you do the same???
ReplyDeleteSeniors have to be constantly vigilant for people who mean them harm.
ReplyDeleteI too try to be nice as they are young people who have also been scammed into this job. However, sometimes you have to just shut the door in their face when they refuse to take the nice method you are offering.
ReplyDeleteOh, and those no soliciting signs? Those who teach these kids how to sell are telling them (and it may have some truth) that the people who put up those signs are very easily swayed to buy so they have put the sign out in an attempt to keep the peddlers away. Most sales people believe they can outsell the sign.
The whole thing is a scam for the employees too. Yes, say no. G talks to them, I shut the door or hang up the phone right away. How about two Tylenol and a good book? :)
ReplyDeleteI don't answer the door unless I am expecting something and check the window first...Michelle
ReplyDeleteIt is soooo deceiving about the FREE air purifiers. That's what gets me about your ordeal with this company. Makes it very hard being civil and polite back to them.
ReplyDeleteL...w
If they ever get me at the door, I'm really going to tell them what's what.
DeleteOur city has a "No Soliciting" law. Solicitors are supposed to get a permit before they go door-to-door, and can be arrested if they don't.
ReplyDeleteDollars to doughnuts that girl is not local. I've been approached by magazine scammers, and they seem to be foreign students. They probably can't work in the U. S. on their student visas, but these sales jobs are 100% commission. I guess that's irrelevant on one level, but take it as a sociological observation.
ReplyDeleteI tried to sell encyclopedias one summer when I was in college and it was the same thing basically, almost impossible to make a sale or to avoid the "psychologically developed" sales pitch which is misleading.
The people we had were local as far as I could tell. I don't think they understand that what they are doing is so very annoying.
Deletewe luckily have no soliciting in our retirement area.
ReplyDeleteSome of them can be so persuasive, and I can be such a sucker. I don't know why I always think a new vacuum cleaner will magically fix all my housekeeping problems, but I do, or at least still did a few years ago when Dick came home to find me on the verge of spending about $4000, and he gave the salesperson some seriously short shrift.
ReplyDeleteI need a No Soliciting sign. Two, for two doors. Nobody ever knocks on the door from the deck, but maybe I should have three signs, plus three signs saying Beware of Dog (which, around here, means Don't Let Lindy Out).
I had to laugh about you taking a photo of the vacuum cleaner salesperson. LOL
K
I'm thinking we need a big, growling dog!
DeleteDear Kay -- talked with a friend of mine, and she says she just tells them, "I can't help you." and closes the door. I think the Kansas City area has had a "Green River Ordinance," from back in the late '80s. People aren't supposed to go door-to-door anymore, but we still get the occasional newspaper pitch, youth selling candy bars, and coupons for car repairs. The Green River Ordinance is what stopped girl and boy scouts from selling door-to-door around here, which I didn't mind. Good Luck! DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping all three of us will be a lot more careful and strong the next time.
DeleteGive them h---, Kay.
ReplyDeleteI know there is a shortage of jobs, but people need to find HONEST work.
I have stopped opening the door now, especially when I am on my own. They will see a car in the driveway and are sometimes persistent but I stay where I am.
ReplyDeleteWe don't get many door to door salesmen, but we do get far too many scam phone calls. I've perfected the art of being very polite and putting the 'phone down. Hope your weather improves soon, as I'm sure your mood will too. Mind you, you should try living here in the UK - we're probably grumpy most of the year round!
ReplyDeleteNo need to violate you innate warmth. Just say a sincere ' no thank' smile and shut the door :-) IMHO :-)
ReplyDeleteAloha
Yeah, run 'em off next time, Kay. Or start to take a video of them right away.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better today.
Tell those annoying people that you have an army of people who read your blog that will come after them if they keep bothering you!!
ReplyDeleteAnd one of them is a mean old Georgia woman! There, that should stop them!! :-)