I don't live in Canada, but I have a funny story to tell anyway.

A friend of mine has a brother who is, shall we say, eccentric. And slightly crazy.

He used to have a rash of Jehovah's Witnesses come to his door. One day, he was out in the back garage cleaning a deer he had shot, when the JWs came-a-calling. Now understand...this guy is a bit unhinged anyway. He always did his deer cleaning naked so that he wouldn't get his clothes covered in deer parts.

So he hears them at the door, sees who they are, and answers the door.

Bare-ass naked. Covered in blood. With a six-inch hunting knife in his hand.

They never came back.

Hey, it's a thought...

I find that with salesmen of any sort I have to say, "No, thank you," and then close the door. If you get into any sort of conversations with them *at all*, it's just going to go down hill from there. They're going to completely ignore all no's until there just aren't any more options. I used to work in sales and they told us to keep pushing something until the customer said no 3 times. And I bet a door-to-door guy will push even longer than that. I really don't think it's rude to say, "No, thank you. Good-bye," and close the door.

But then again, I've been living in New York City for awhile now. I think my "not rude" meter might be a little skewed.

i hate those energy sales people.
my hubby actually signed up with one company, we paid more $$ and when i explained that to them the next time they came around, they argued with me and demanded to see my bills. i told them i wasn't about to show them any of my personal billing info and they actually demanded!!
i had a friend who was home with her newborn baby and said "No thank-you" and after they tried to argue with her, she tried to close the door and they actually stuck their foot in the door and pushed it back open again!!
her hubby tore a strip off them but they came back again a couple days later.
what nerve...

I hear you on this! I argue less with my three-year-old then I do with these guys. I even had one jerk say it was the law. Can you believe that horse swill? Honestly, I now just tell them that I've been taken care of and shut the door...and there are many times when I don't even answer the door. *snort*

You could do what I do and not answer the door EVER unless you are expecting visitors. I don't want to be rude to the religious airheads that are pretty much forced to go door to door, but I will, so I try not to answer the door.

OHMYGOD, I love to find a fellow grouch. I thought I was the only one like this. I can't tell you how comforting it is to find others. I CAN'T STAND to be bothered at my home. My husband has that little political position in the county next to ours, and we are told time and again that the people in that county WILL NOT VOTE for you if you have not come to their door. I feel like putting the opposite sign out: "I will NOT VOTE FOR YOU if you come bother me at my house." Same thing with salespeople and especially Bible thumpers. One year I made the mistake of giving money to an organization I thought I was behind (an environmental group) and just the other night, the night when I was the Intensive Care Unit for Vincent, a woman representing that group came to the door. David handled her, but she was downright rude and pushy and next to INSISTED that she see me -- she was upset that he, the male, was purporting to be making the household decisions or something -- I don't know. But I have said more and more often, you know that little South Park character of me with the shotgun? I sooooo am/want to be that person. And now you've said it, too!!! I feel so soothed by this. Hee.

heh - have a listen to this and maybe adjust the commentary to suit your needs:

http://www.publicis.co.uk/phone.mp3

I understand your anger. Once you've let it go a bit, take a listen to this audio clip (link in a blog). It's a guy that recorded his phone conversation when trying to quit AOL. It's dumbfounding and amazing. http://insignificantthoughts.com/2006/06/13/cancelling-aol/

They definitely bugger off and get the message faster when it's a man who answers the door. We recently had a similar experience with a Telus/Rogers/insert new telecom company name here. . . It's the only thing that can make me wish I lived in an apartment building!

I've never had energy salespeople come to my door! But then I didn't know about "pud," either...

Sounds like he was being more beligerent with you because he thought that you, as a woman, were more inclined to listen and be subservient and be convinced and sign up. ::rolls eyes::

Don't get so worked up over it. Just tell them to go away and close the door. Now, if the guy put his foot in the door like Ann-Marie's friend's case... I don't know what I'd have done.

I'm moderately happy at this moment that I live in Nova Scotia. But I have had that experience with telemarketers and door to door peddlers. Just 'cause I don't have a penis, doesn't mean I can't make a decision for my household.

yeesh.

Git offa my lawn, ya snake oil peddler!

I, like Jenn, live in NYC. As a rule, I just don't answer the door; but in the rare instance that I do get a door to door person, I just give them the evil look and close the door in their face. Don't care how rude that seems--they are the rude ones bothering me in my home. How's that for hermit-like behavior?

PS--I knew about "pud" all the way down in Puerto Rico.

Maybe if you ask Franklin, he will "let Delores out" for a road trip and she can sit on the doorstep with a shotgun. Something tells me she would love to let one round go in those rude little buggers' asses!!!! Hold tight, or phone their company and tell them you will report them...not sure if that works but what the hell is with them anyway..

I thought you were allowed to shoot trespassers in the US. It always struck me as being one of the perks.
But apparently if you tell JWs that you're Jewish or Catholic they will just leave quietly as they know they don't stand a chance. Note.. you don't have to actually BE Jewish or Catholic to use that trick.

I tell the JW's and the missionaries I'm a witch. And tell them how happy I am with my faith. The tend to leave very confused becasue they don't expect a heathen to have such a close connection with god. hee hee.

Had the talk yer ear off problem with the Union reps once. they didn't want to hear that I was (am) happy with the way my company treats me. Not saying Union is bad, only that it's not right for me. hmm. kinda like the JW's and Missionaries!

I just randomly happened upon your blog and thought I'd throw in a comment:

The thing to do is tell them your landlord takes care of that. I started saying that back when my landlord DID take care of that (utilities included is a beautiful thing) and I've found it works really well.

Failing that, I guess you could get some kind of firearm, but I think threatening salespeople's lives may be frowned upon....

First of all, regarding the title of this post. I'm all for it.

Secondly, It's a good thing I came by. I know how to deal with these people. It's actually not difficult and a great deal of fun. Here are a few examples.

ISR = Irritating sales rep.

Example Number one.

ISR: Would you like to...
You: Do you know Jesus?
ISR: um. I beg your pardon?
You: Do you know Jesus?
ISR: I, um, actually I'm just here to...
You: Have you come to a place in your life that if you were to die tonight you KNOW you would go to heaven?
ISR: Um.. I...
You: Woud you like to find out?!

Example 2

ISR: Hi there, I'm here today to...
You: Have you seen my mom?
ISR: What?
You: Have you seen my mom!?
ISR: No, I don't think...
You: STOP LYING!!!! WHERE IS SHE?!
ISR: Perhaps I should...
You: MOM!!! I'm Sorry! I put the knife away!
ISR: Maybe I should just l...
You: I promise I'll be good from now on!

Example 3

ISR: Hello, I was wondering if...
You: Do you think i'm pretty?
ISR: um.. Why yes.. I think you're very pretty.
You: Do you mean that? Honestly?
ISR: Why yes, of course. But i'm here today..
You: and these (indicate your breast) Do they look real?!
ISR: Well, yes.. yes they do?
You: Oh thank you... and.. do you think I look like a woman? I mean, REALLY?
ISR: W...Why do you ask?
You: Because my boyfriend thinks the operation wasn't really a success... (begin to cry at this point.)

I have more suggestions but you get the idea. Just have fun with it, be imaginative. I also like to talk to my invisible friends when sales people come to the door. I ussually talk to them about Jesus when they call...

Over in the States, the telephone companies are like that over the phone. I actually had one representative call me stupid for not wanting to switch to their plan. Oh, that will make me want it!

jodi! i see your divine sweater on the IK Fall preview! it is stunning... my fave of all the pics there. fabulous - well done.