Religious Door Knockers
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Printed Date: 05 June 2025 at 6:39pm
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Topic: Religious Door Knockers
Posted By: rachelsea
Subject: Religious Door Knockers
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:06pm
Well I've just had some religious people knock on my door talking to me about how God promises a world without violence, complete with references to the bible, and they managed to get me to agree to come back next week to sit down and talk more about it with me  they got me with: "I see you have a baby. Do you want your baby growing up with violence?" to which I of course answered no (and fell nicely into the trap!!).
I know they mean well and are only doing what they believe in, so I didn't want to hurt their feelings by telling them to go away, but I don't think it's right when people try to force their beliefs onto other people. I'm not trying to start a religious debate lol, just wondering what other people do/say to people who knock on their door trying to "convert" them? Is anyone else a wussypants like me and just goes along with it to "keep the peace" so to speak? ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:16pm
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I personally hate them, I don't mind they are religious but hate having it in my face. Basically I just say to them in a nice way that they are wasting their time with me. It won't change my beliefs and I won't read what they want me to. So they leave. I try and say that before they have a chance to babble on.
One of my friends is a little more blunt and says so them that shes catholic raised and is a lesbian and would love it if they left so she could go back to having sex lol. |
Posted By: Turtle
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:19pm
I'm a confirmed Catholic, so I've already made my decision on God  and I hate people coming to my door to sell their Church to me. Once they start their speech and I reaslise what it is I interupt and tell them I am not interested.
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:23pm
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I'd just politely tell them that you're really not interested, and that no, you don't want to meet them again. Do you have a number - could you give them a call and cancel the 'meeting'?
I usually just tell door-knockers that I'm confident in my own religeous beliefs, but if they've got any brochures etc, they're welcome to leave them. I actually do read them - but while I enjoy discussing beliefs with people, I don't enjoy the kind of discussion where the whole aim is to convert me to whatever they believe rather than a genuine chat, so I tend to avoid that. -------------   
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Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:24pm
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ROFPMSL love your friends response Stace!!
Rachel I hate it too. I believe sharing your beliefs should be more about living it than talking about it. I especially hate it when I mention I'm already a believer and they try and tell me that God only saves their particular religion 
Anyway I'm far too busy to stand at the door while they go on so I just open the door and say sorry I'm busy have a nice day, smile and begin to close the door slowly (before they get a chance to talk). If I get the odd one that pushes the conversation I'll just stay firm and not engage at all. Just for the record God never promised that this world would be without violence - in fact he warns us to be ready for it  -------------   
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:26pm
| I just interrupt them in mid-sentence, smile and say "No thank you" and shut the door in their face. They are preying on the lonely, directionless people, I think it should be outlawed. |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:31pm
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Ooh, I've never had any door knockers. However if someone came to my door and told me that God promises a world without violence, I'd tell them that perhaps they'd better go inform the folk in the Middle East.
------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:33pm
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Oh sounds like you got the JW's!!
I just politely tell them I'm a Baptist and which church I'm with. That particular denomination does annoy me though as they do tend to still push it even when I've pointed out I'm already a Christian so you kinda have to be firm....add a "k thnx bye" on the end of the sentence as you close the door! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:43pm
we had door knockers over the weekend. It really annoys me that they would come to my house and try and tell me that what i believe is wrong. I went through a phase of telling them that i wasnt allowed to talk to strangers without my husband present  they generally left pretty quick. I also went through the phase of telling mall people that my husband controls our money so no i cant buy stuff off them. Im such a pushover when it comes to people selling me stuff its easier to say that my husband won't let me that way they cant argue. I dont think it is a very effective way to convert people and i think it is very invasive coming to my home.
now i just try and tell them no thanks i already have a church and my own beliefs (as i didnt think it was right to lie to them) |
Posted By: first
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:46pm
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We get them here at least once a month and they drive me crazy as they always come when I am most busy. I just tell them that I am not interested. Thanks. And then I shut the door.
I will never forget when they came to the door while I was in labour! I saw them walking up the drive and I told Dave to get rid of them while I went to have some privacy during my next contraction. I hear my DH say my wife is in labour I can't talk now and they just went on and on. Finally I walk down the hall way out to the front door and said to dh I need you just as another massive contraction hit. They got the idea and finally left. I wasn't impressed! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:50pm
The funny thing is, it seems to work. I mean, JW's and mormon's seem to have fairly good-sized churchs... but like you say, I'm not entirely sure I understand how. My beliefs are important to me, and for that reason I am keen to share them with anyone who's interested. However, it just strikes me as rude (and, erm, counterproductive!) to push your beliefs on someone who's not interested. That's the way our Church runs - making sure people are aware of us, so they can find us easily in case they are interested in exploring religeon, but not door-knocking and stuff like that - and I like that much better! -------------
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angel4 wrote:Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:53pm
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We got a really sneaky one once. He came to the door and I told him that I was not interested. My nana is a JW so believe me I have heard the spiel many times.
He then asked if we wanted to sell the boat trailer that was sitting in the driveway. It is a total piece of junk so I was abit surprised he wanted it, but said okay give my my husband a call later and gave our phone number. He then rings up later, says he has changed his mind about the trailer and tries to preach to hubby! ------------- 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 12:54pm
yeah that's how our church is also. it's a lot nicer. and I agree, it seems very counter productive to keep pushing it especially when I'm already a Christian!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:11pm
But paws, you're not the "right" type of christian 
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Posted By: NovemberMum
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:12pm
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I just politly say "sorry no interested" and they always leave ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:14pm
Obviously!!!! (pesky sodding baptist! )------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:20pm
I just get straight to the point and say that I'm not interested, and wish them a good day on their way out. If they have been persistent / not gotten the message the first time and come back, I offer to exchange some reading material with them in the form of a tresspass notice  ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:35pm
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I can spot them a mile off so always let them know I'm not interested when I open the door. They seem to get the message pretty quick.
Now how do I get rid of all the telemarketers calling me at dinner time (or anytime for that matter)? I find them much more invasive and they often get rude when I say it's not a good time 
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:52pm
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We get them all the time I'm usually tell them to 'bugger off' and close the door. They don't come back. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:52pm
I'm a chicken - I hide when I see them coming -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:54pm
Jano1...soon as you hear the pause & click after you say hello about 3 times, just hang up  your friends will phone back, they never will. Saves you saying anything.
I have gotten rid of mormons, I told them I've been to their church in Salt Lake ( I actually have ) they have never called again. Don't seem to get JW's here, might have scared them off with my dog.
But usually just say that you are a member of a church already & they will leave you alone. I think the key word would be a member, not just that you already have belief. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:57pm
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Or the people at the temporary stands in the centres of malls. I generally try and walk the long way around them but they still get me. I almost screamed at a Unicef guy on the weekend. I'm all for charities, but the fact that they try pressure you with guilt to sign up to a monthly $30 payment and you can't just give them a $2 once off donation... Grrr. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 1:59pm
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The hand cream ones in malls annoy me. I always feel uncomfortable ignoring them when they blatantly approach you, but if you so much as make eye contact you end up wearing the hand cream. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:03pm
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Yeah the mall ones are so annoying. I always make eye contact with them just to get their hopes up and then I say "No thanks" and walk on by. Love psyching them out
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Posted By: Snappy
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:08pm
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DH thought it would be really funny to tell a preacher at the door that I would be interested and to come back and ask for me (when I wasnt home) I was so livid with him when they came back a few days later looking for me. DH was in the bedroom laughing. So not funny.
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:18pm
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I had a flatmate who used to do that to me with telemarketers. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:19pm
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I always use Oli as an excuse to get away from the mall ones - "he is due his nap" or "on our way to change a nappy"....always seems to work! Door knockers really annoy me...I used to hate it when they came as I would always try to be polite. Now I am grumpy especially if Oli is asleep and I am having quiet time, or worse I am feeding Oli. I do try to be polite, but tend to be quite blunt. My brother used to get them a lot - he would always say "Hey bro's, just cracked a cold one and packed the pipe - wanna come in for a toke..." that would do the trick!!! (I should add that my brother used to have dreads and is 6ft+ and looks quite "alternative"...but is in fact a straight laced muslim!!) |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:27pm
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You know you can always not answer the door or phone....I usually let the phone ring through to the answer phone and then if it is a 'real' person I will answer the phone.
Mall people don't seem to bother me, mostly coz I just live in a dream world and walk right past...they could probably be talking to me and I wouldn't notice. DH is the opposite and talks to anyone...guess I am just rude haha! ------------- 
Oct 11
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:28pm
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I hate anyone trying to force beliefs on another person .
When I was younger I was babysitting my cousins for a few days, and the younger one (3 at the time ) was petrified of a story her (weird) dad told her about a monster called Mog. So when the little old ladies knocked on the door and she answered and they told her they wanted to "speak to her mummy about God" , she thought they said Mog and did what any child would do , . She screamed and shut the door in their faces . They didn't come back ------------- 
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Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:46pm
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The worst I've had was a mother taking her 3 children around with her, and when you answered the door, one of the children was there reading you scripture before you could say anything
I just politely said that I was comfortable with my own beliefs and wasn't interested (after the poor wee girl had been speaking for a couple of minutes without letup). I just felt so bad for these kids  How do you say no, please go away to a 7 year old? -------------  
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Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:46pm
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Lol @ Kellys story!
DP had them come on the weekend while I was at work... they were preaching about technology being a blessing or a curse... Quite funny that DP was playing Rockband when they arrived... he also thought it would be funny to say that they could come back for a chat anytime... I was however not impressed.... Hoping they turn up while I am home so I can tell them NO whereas if its just him home again god knows what will happen! ------------- 
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 2:54pm
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Lol Maya, I used to hide when I saw them coming too! But where we live now I don't see them till they are already at the door and today I had the door open and was sitting in the lounge folding washing so couldn't pretend I wasn't there hehe
Haha Treen, I've been sucked in by Unicef before... and Save the Children too . Signed up and after a few donations sent an email saying I couldn't afford it anymore!
Last week a power company guy came to the door to try and get us to change power companies, so I told him to come back when my husband gets home (which he did!) and he told him we aren't interested. Lol what a chicken!! Haha SimSam, I was willing Chelsea to wake up, but of course she didn't wake up till right after they left
If I see people on the street or mall who are trying to stop people, I get out my cellphone and look like I'm engrossed in sending a text and don't see them
But yeah, these people today (an old lady and a youngish man), they didn't say what religion they are. The lady showed me a drawing of rainbows and happy people and deer and said "see the animals, they will live in peace with us too. Imagine your child having a pet lion!" I was quite brave and tried to question her and asked if animals will still be able to kill each other. She said no so I asked what they will eat (which I thought was rather clever of me ) and she said they will eat straw, D'oh they have an answer for everything!
I was going to tell them I'm Catholic (which I'm not but DH is) but couldn't really get a word in. I will have to bring out all the crosses and crusifixes MIL gave to Chelsea when she was baptised (seriously she gave her 5 of them, all different, because she couldn't decide which one she liked best!!!!) in case they do actually come back next week ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Twinboys2b
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:08pm
Whatever you do don't try to reason with them or start a conversation as that's exactly what they want and as you say they do have an answer for everything grrr. Luckily I've never had a pushy one or else they just know I'm not taking any crap. I always just say nicely "I'm not interested, bye" and they're usually nice and say 'have a good day and leave' as I shut the door. Blondy: I can't believe someone would do that, poor children. They'd probably be asking Q's at the end of the day after rejection after rejection as to why no one wants to speak to them ...or they're already brainwashed to not ask Q's . ------------- 3yr old gorgeous ID twin boys. |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:11pm
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LMAO SimSam your brother sounds primo!
Reminded me of my uncle actually, hes not particularly alternative looking but hes a nut. They lived in a pretty small town (anyone been to Pahiatua recently ) before they moved down south so when the doorknockers came around he'd get real enthusiastic and invite them to come in, have a cuppa and discuss religion where he'd proceed to point out how their doctrine doesn't measure up when compared to the bible (which is true ) and invite them to his church hehehehehehe...
The poor doorknockers would also get pelted with things by the exclusive brethren kids across the road and over a fairly short period of time that whole corner of town was totally avoided by any mormons or JWs but just to keep it that way my uncle would get super-excited when he recognised any of them in town, run over to where they were and ask them when they were next coming to visit him http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php">  they started crossing the road when they saw him! He's my hero!!-------------
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Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:12pm
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The whole door-knocking thing gets my goat.
We have a dog, so our property is gated. But they still just plod on in and get frightened when the dog (she's a dalmatian, so not exactly scary, but she's rather big and boisterous) goes jumping at them. We also have massive windows by our door - which is a ranch slider, so there's no hiding from them!! They don't tend to come here anymore. I'm nice, but tell them I'm not interested and just shut the door and walk away (and then hide in the toilet until they're gone!!). Telemarketers I just hang up on now. I don't give them the time of day. If they address me by name (first name, mind, they can get my last name from the phone book) I'll give them a change to explain who they are. The one time I hang up on someone will be the time I have won $1m
But if they say "Oh, is that Mrs F*****?" or "Are you the mortgage/power bill/etc payer?" I hang up. ------------- 
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Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:19pm
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Re: the telemarketers - some of our extended IL family in Aussie have this trick of whenever a telemarketer phones, yelling down the phone at them: "I've won a car? Really, A car? What kind of car have I won?" and they go on like that until the telemarketer hangs up! -------------
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Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:24pm
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LOL I was wondering why you began your surname with F - I was sure it'd be Mrs Pickle -------------
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Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:36pm
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Blondy we had the same thing with JW's when we were at DH's family batch one weekend. They turned up on a Sat morning with their teenager daughter. She looked so embarrassed poor girl.
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Posted By: NewPhoenix
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:41pm
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. ------------- |
Posted By: Hunnybunny
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:46pm
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I had door knockers turn up the other day... Unfortunately for them they turned up just after I'd gone for a shower...
I was still wrapped in a towel... The 2 guys didn't know where to look when it accidently slipped down a little on one side
I only done it after remembering a story about a lady who thought it was her husband so she was totally naked and jumped in front of the door yelling suprise!!!! They didn't hang around for very long
ETA yes thats right. I have NO SHAME!!! They're just boobies. Everyones seen them. It didn't worry me as much as it worried them
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Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:50pm
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HunnyBunny you are my new hero!! -------------
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Posted By: rachndean
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 3:57pm
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bahahahaha HunnyBunny that is awesome!!! You make me proud to be a woman!!!
We went through a phase of coming home from work and finding their little brochures on our doorstep, honestly we were getting about 3 a week!! So just before I went on maternity leave we decided to save them all up. DH thought it would be funny to add to it with the rest of the junkmail aswell. One day just before DS was born I waddled to the door to find them standing there. I interupted them and said that I wasnt really in the mood, but asked them to wait as I had something for them. I went and got the bag of flyers, and handed it to them, suggesting they might like to recycle. Have never had them back....... I heard of a guy the other day who got home to find them walking out his gate, he told them he wasnt interested, but they followed him up his driveway being really pushy. He then dropped his pants and gave them a brown eye!!! They took him to court for harassment!!!!!!!
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Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:13pm
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hahahahaha, I would pay to see someone give them a brown eye...
I had engrish speaking door knockers who wanted to "spread the words of Geejus" She spent a good hour (felt sooo much longer) trying to tell me that my place in the world was similar to that of a frog in a well, he can see the sky but doesn't know what else is up there. But she called it a pond, a wery wery deep pond, where you the fwog wish makes. I think they are invasive. Also the Save the children spokes people. I had one ask me to join up, I said that I was already and supporting children in Colombia to which he replied "yeah, sure you are" Ooooooh I was pi$$ed off!! why do we have to explain ourselves to these people anyway?? ------------- 
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:16pm
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Ahahahaha Hunnybunny!!! I love it!
With any doorknockers/telemarketers/mall sales people I tell them politely that I'm not interested. If they try to engage in conversation i.e. ask why not, I reiterate that I'm not interested, say goodbye and close the door/hang up/walk away. Interestingly I found a way to stop the handcream people from even approaching me the other day. I've had a cough for a few days and started coughing into my hand as we walked past the stall, I saw out of the corner of my eye the sales girl take a half step towards me then obviously think better of it and turned away ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:16pm
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Or when you say no and they nicely point out (if you have coffee in your hand) 'for the price of that coffee you could save so many children'... hate guilt trips!!!
Grinds my gears -------------
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Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:21pm
| As long as they don't show up at a time when my child is asleep, then I am polite and say "sorry, not interested".. If they wake my child with their door knocking I have fury in my eyes... |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:24pm
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Hehe HunnyBunny. Well, if they are going to knock on your door, they really should expect to take you as they find you Boobies and all!
I always know when we get called by telemarketers - they ask for me by my maiden name (our number's still in the book under that, I haven't got round to changing it ). It's handy!
I don't mind people collecting for charity - DH and I do pink ribbon day every year ourselves - but I don't think they should be pushy about it, or even ask, for that matter. It's obvious what you're sitting there doing, if people want to donate they will off their own accord, and if they don't, asking them (or guilt-tripping them, Jolene ) won't change that!-------------
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:24pm
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With doorknockers I just say "NO"and shut the door. Dh always takes their books and they ALWAYAS come back and he makes me answer the door he he.
Ohhh those awful handcream people!!! I just say no and keep on walking. Once they offered it to dd! Ha ha dh got cornered yesterday and ended up with it said it felt like his hands were covered with silicone' |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:30pm
Also works very well when they rouse a (rather grouchy) night shift worker from her bed in the middle of a hot summer and she answers the door in short silk womens boxers and a black sports bra.  I'll tell you, they have no idea where to look!!
I dislike Unicef because they cornered me once and when I pointed out that we sponsor 2 children already through another organisation, they replied with "Oh but we're cheaper". I looked them in total shock.....it's not a blardy competition!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:36pm
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HunnyBunny , been there done that , love watching their faces go red .
If the save the children people bug me , I snap at them saying my husband and I already support two . Never mind that their names are Caitlyn and Tyler and they are hardly starving or underprivileged. -------------
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:37pm
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Paws unbelievable they actually want to compete lol @ hunnybunny I wanna be just like you Maybe next time I need to answer the door with the baby on the boob? I hate telemarketers I had one ring talkinga bout holidays to which I replied sorry I have a newborn to which she replied oh but there is child friendly blah blah and what if we paid... I hung up. If you don't know who your calling then you don't know. I'm also not listed so they must have automatic dialers. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:41pm
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LMFAO this thread cracks me up and horrifies me by turns
Bad UNICEF people for the 'cheaper' comment!! Hunnybunny we'd get along very well!! We aren't in the phonebook so never get telemarketers calling -------------
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Posted By: sadie
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:51pm
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I don't think it is overly necessary to be rude to telemarketers or mall salespeople, they are after all just doing their job. A simple 'no thanks, not interested' should be enough to send them on their way.
If they are the pushy type, I have no qualms about making up a white lie to get rid of them, but there is no need to get nasty about it. Doorknockers are a slightly different kettle of fish, especially as they have come on to your private property. I have found though that just saying you already belong to a different religion, or that you are simply not interested, then they go on their merry way. The worst ones I have ever encountered though was when I was staying at a friends bach. I was 8 weeks pregnant (so not showing), but my friend was 6 months and had a great bump. They came up a private road to our beach front where we were sitting, and proceeded to hand over pamphlets all about coping with the death of a child. WTF??? Still, they came in handy later that night when we needed kindling for the bonfire. |
Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 5:10pm
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Yeah Potato I get you on the 'they are just doing there job' - but only when I am in a public place. I politely say I am not interested when out and about. However when I have telemarketers ringing my home I have no qualms in being rude - To me it is the same as arriving unannounced at my door! I have NOT given them my number (also not a listed number) and their call is as uninvited as a house call Telephone calls after 8-9pm from telemarketers really feel the wrath too!
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Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 5:16pm
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When I was in labour, before I went to the hospital, DH popped out to get me some lemonade, and noticed that they were heading up the street. He pulled over, got out of his car, and told them not to even knock on our door - he was apparently really grumpy with them and basically said that if they disturbed me - he was going to pay a visit to their church to lay a formal complaint. I think it would have been funny had I answered the door mid contraction....I have a great "pain" noise!! |
Posted By: Bberry
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 5:28pm
Definitely JW's. As an ex-JW, I spun these lines to plenty of people myself when my parents made us go door-knocking. Way to get rid of them? Ask them how the organisation deals with paedophiles within the church. Or why they have changed the date of the end of the world so many times. |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 5:36pm
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I do have to admit I feel a bit sorry for the poor door-knockers. I mean, there's really two options, isn't there:
a) they really enjoy rocking on up to random people's places and getting told to go away 99.999% of the time (and seeing Hunnybunny's boobies... although I guess that's possible ) or
b) they hate it as much as I would (and I would), but they feel it's such an important thing to do that they make themselves do it anyway. I mean, I don't agree with them, even if I agreed with what they believe I don't think that's the way to go about letting people know about it, and I don't blame people for telling them to get lost (I do myself)... but it can't be an easy thing to do. If I was a JW, I'm sure I'd dread it! -------------
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Posted By: SquishysMum
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 5:59pm
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Does anyone else get spam faxes? Our phone rings randomly and beeps in our ear, sometimes at 3am!!!! We've never had a fax machine, don't know why it happens but it's not regular enough to get the numbers blocked.
Really grates when you're jerked out of a sound sleep by the phone ringing - and then when it just beeps at you?!?!?!
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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 6:13pm
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lol!!!!!! This is classic.. I *try* not to get sucked in and politely tell them Im not interested and ask them to leave, but DH can sometimes be really rude. Having said that, the ones DH has ever spoken to have never come back! Perhaps I need to be a bit more abrupt......
HB thats brilliant! Love it ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: sunnyhoney
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 6:14pm
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I've been having a quiet little laugh to myself at some of the more nutty responses to the doorknockers etc.
I know they are annoying, but they are people too and most often just doing their job. I think it's probably a bit mean to swear at them or slam doors in their face or tell them you are off to have sex.... I just say "thank you but I'm not interested, enjoy your day" and it is usually enough. I also feel horrible for the kids that are most likely made to go door knocking with the adults. I always take the time to listen to them cos I feel so sorry for them but then look at the adult and tell them I'm not interested. ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 7:33pm
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When I was pregnant I got really angry with the amount of telemarketers phoning right on dinner time. I used to swear at them & then I'd just answer F-Off, tired pregnant chick holding down the home fort while DH was working o/seas! That is when I decided it was far kinder to just hang up.
Slingshot got the worst from me....2 nights in a row & then one week later! Hello...didn't the first lot of abuse put you off???? These stories are all quite funny. I do feel sorry for telemarketers as they are only doing a job. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com">
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: ALittleLoopy
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 7:49pm
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lol my DH isnt a telemarketer as hes an inbound call rep. And he gets just as much abuse even when hes the one being called and usually for help! -------------    CHEM 6/12+ |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 7:51pm
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I was a telemarketer! I was like 17 and it was great money and I didn't care if people didn't want to talk to me. I was fully sympathetic when people said it was dinner time or whatever and I'd tell them it was a sucky time to call and I was sorry LMAO I got 'laid off' -------------
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Posted By: scribe
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 8:16pm
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I was also a telemarketer once, I did surveys for my father's work for some holiday pocket money. It was the worst job I've ever done!! Especially as a very shy 16-year-old. Painful.
LMAO at your stories! But hey, what are these 'handcream people'? Is that a particular Auckland/Hamilton thing, or do I just not go to the mall enough? |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 8:23pm
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I don't know - but I've definitely seen them in Hamilton. They are actually rather annoying... every time you walk past, they insist you try some handcream. I forget the brand - south sea something or other?? they have cool nail-polishy things, but the hand cream wasn't actually all that flash in my opinion (the one time I got sucked into saying yes). -------------
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 8:30pm
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Ah the Dead Sea handcream isn't it?
I just put my head down and keep walking. Plus people tend not to stop me if I have 2 toddlers in tow
Being unlisted has always worked for us and have never gotten a telemarketer phone call. We also never get a lot of door knockers thankfully, must smell or something as we've lived in a lot of different houses. I had someone from Reading Cinema trying to sell me a voucher book for $35 a few weeks ago. I told him unless the vouchers included a free babysitting service I was not interested
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Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 8:33pm
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Ugh those Dead Sea handcream people are in the malls here in Singapore too and they are SO PUSHY. Even if you say no thanks they get in the way (of the pram - are they stupid?!) and keep trying. So yes, I am quite often rude to them.
We don't get religious door knockers here, thank goodness as I sit in the living room with the front door wide open every day and you can see that we're home from the street. My stepsister is a JW and before her DD started school she took her witnessing ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 8:44pm
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I'm intrigued with the handcream people... LOL.
I get SO frustrated with door-knockers. Half the time I am in the middle of changing babies or something anyway, but when I manage to make it to the door, toddlers and babies in tow, and I find people trying to push stuff on me, I feel so annoyed!! But I just say I'm not interested and close the door. If you are going to talk about your beliefs with someone, I don't think invading their private property uninvited is the way to go about it. I hate hate HATE when telemarketers call!! The last one I had was this REALLY pushy indian guy, and he was saying something about a free holiday... I said I wasn't interested and he said "why would you not want a free holiday??" and proceeded to ask me for my credit card details to reserve a place or something, and I was like "GOODBYE!!!" and he rang back two more times asking to talk to my husband, before I disconnected the phone. SOOO rude!! I don't get it. Our number isn't listed either, but we have had quite a few telemarketers call for some reason. Especially about holidays.
They are both pet peeves of mine... ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 9:06pm
Ooh I like this one- wonder what they say? I loathe the hand cream people too. SJ I can't believe you have them in Singapore too. |
Posted By: X
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 9:10pm
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I am fed up with telemarketers too-it's an invasion of my privacy. I didn't give them permission to call my house.
The trick is NEVER to fill in competitions etc in malls, online etc & give your home number, because they will usually sell your number on to telemarketer companies. There is a website you can go to & have your number removed from telemarketer lists. It works, but only for a while before they get hold of you again. If I fill stuff in I always give my mobile number only-they never call mobiles. I used to be polite with them because as others have said-it's not the person ringing's fault & it's their job, but lately I have just got more & more fed up & I just hang up straight away. The more pregnant I get the grumpier I get though, so my new strategy is that I am going to buy a whistle & keep it next to the phone & when telemarketers ring I am going to whistle in their ear really loud DH said that is just plain mean but it'll give me great satisfaction mwhahahaha (that's my evil laugh ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: sunnyhoney
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 9:23pm
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nasty ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 9:28pm
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So funny - after we had this conversation today, I rang up my friend this evening, and he answered the phone with 'If you're selling sometihng, I'm not interested' Seems they've been having a few telemarketers lately! -------------
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Posted By: hannibal
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 9:33pm
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So are you home next week? I either ignore the door (just disconnect the bell oophs), or say I'm not interested. Interesting enough recently we asked a church group if we could hire their carpark as work was getting asphalted and we got a rather rude reply - um not very CHRISTIAN like so next time they come around um I definately won't be answering.
Oh and can anyone tell me why I'm still getting phone calls after filling in the don't call me form I filled in via the Fair Go site months ago! Frustrating. Do you think a whistle by the phone will work????? |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 9:45pm
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i lodged a complaint with the police about a company calling themselves discount holiday tried to scam me out of my credit card details. When the police called, they denied the charges and the police asked for their tapes. Since they are overseas based though, they couldn't do much. But i rang a local journalist who put the story in the paper.
they always ask for "mrs. dh's last name" of which I am not (i kept my maiden name) so i always say gaily "no one by that name lives here, goodbye" and hang up. nice. especially if i hear an indian accent and "good afternoon ma'am". I hope no one from india actually ever calls me for a social call, cause i am liable to hang up on them. As for religious door knockers, myy company in japan sold our details to them, so we got English speaking ones all the time. when i anwered the door and saw "the watchtower" or whatever the mag would say i would pretend to not speak japanese OR english....and would speak in Maori. "good evening ma'am" "tahi rua toru wha?" "do you speak english" "rotorua, whakatane, tauranga" "SORRY TO WASTE YOUR TIME, GOODBYE" "ka kite" worked a treat. |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 9:46pm
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sorry but I hate them!
and I'm not a racist but I hate the Asian ones! I had a couple of ladies a couple of months back who knocked very loudly not once or twice but 5 flippen times! woke both Aidan and myself up. they knew I wasn't happy and I even said I wasn't interested but kept going and going, one even put her foot in the door and started going on about how its warmer inside and could we talk more inside GRRR at that point Aidan was up screaming tugging on my shirt, so I told them to get there fn foot out the door and leave us alone! and as for telemarketers had one call the other night for dvs (sp) systems, she went on and on and after almost 15 minutes (and me saying not interested a few times - hung up on twice) she goes are you the home owner, I'm like no I only bloody rent. she was like oh I'm very sorry to have bothered you this deal is only for home owners. GRRRRR should that not be your first flippen question! they came back the next week and I just shouted through the door to piss off we are not interested. hubby said they came the next week and he told them to stop harassing us or he would call the cops lol didn't see them again! |
Posted By: hcsmum
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 9:51pm
| some JW women came around a few months back, and DS was trying to drag them into the house, offering them a 'coffee' and we had to have the stranger danger talk with them there on the doorstep. - The older woman turns to me and goes "You never know one day he might bring a nice.... (looks me up and down) man home for you"... I turned around and curtly replied, "I'm not sure my husband would agree to that, Goodbye" and shut the door in her face. I have never been so angry at an assumption |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 10:17pm
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lizzle, that discount holiday place sounds like the same ones that were calling us, trying to get credit card details! Scary. Ugh. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 10:28pm
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My friends mum answered the door to some religious door knockers .
Very politely she told them that she was busy at the time , planning her daughter's funeral. , After saying sorry for her loss, they proceeded to tell her they hoped her daughter had accepted God into her life and that she was in no more pain where she was . My friend's mum said she would rather her daughter was still with her husband and baby here on earth than anywhere else, but thanks for letting her know . Nice . BTW , lovesit Liz ! -------------
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 10:28pm
Me too! lmao, thats IF I see them coming, sometimes I'll answer the door and see them and go "Oh Sh!t" in my head. I just no thank you not interested, and if they babble on and on and I close the door, simple
Though one lady really got me angry a few months back, she came to our house at 5.30pm in the rain, with her 3 kids! my DH had just come up the drive in his car(home from work) she followed him up the drive and bailed him up as he was getting out of the car, luckily Caden and I were waiting for him at the front door and I heard her going on about the bible and stuff, and Dh is a wuss and didnt say anything, so I went out and said No thank you we are not interested, very nicely, and we started walking back to the house and she went on and on and on as we walked away and she was getting a annoyed tone in her voice, in the end I told her to shut up
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Posted By: Tui89
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 10:29pm
| I have terrible anxiety issues so I usually keep my gate closed and my door open because I have two very protective dogs who speed outside to guard if they hear anyone on the driveway. So they just get scared away! If its anyone I know they just come in because they know my pups are really harmless :) We have a glass slider for a front door so if my DH is home he will just shake his head at them and point them back out the gate, not even open the door. Sometimes they leave books in the letterbox but we just chuck them in the recycling! Better off to everyone that way haha |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 10:41pm
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Lizzle and Janey, I got that one too. And I think wrx did as well (they go on about winning free holidays, then proceed to ask for credit card details - if you listen long enough its basically about 'winning' the opportunity to purchase a discount accommodation card for Aussie).
They got the polite 'oh so you're not actually giving me anything for free? no? ok then goodbye and don't call back' |
Posted By: RoSee
Date Posted: 16 November 2009 at 11:01pm
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I think the religious doorknockers are bloody rude. It's disgusting that they try push their religion on people the way they do, so I just slam the door in their faces
Has anyone had the Kirby vacuum cleaner presentation thing shoved down their throat?!?! The one where the door knocker asks you to fill in a form, the next day you get a call saying you have won a free carpet cleaning in the room of your choice, no strings attached. Then they turn up and do a 3 hour presentation and try and sell you the thing. They did this to me when Ty was about 4 weeks old. They even kept telling me to wake him up so they could go in my room where he was sleeping and vacuum my mattress to see how much dust came off it. I was NOT impressed. Told them no way and they said they'll just wait till he wakes up! They would not leave until I told them to shove the ******* vacuum cleaner up their behind and get the **** outta my house!
The next day I rang the company and complained, told them I was going to tell Brooke on Target ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
September '11
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Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 12:02am
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I got that accomodation one too!
wasn't till they started going on about credit cards and costs that I thought wtf! I just hung up |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 7:25am
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Posted By: MissAngel
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 7:39am
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I'm having a BIG problem with them at the moment. I dont know what it is really. I had a lovely JW lady visiting me for a while, she knew I wasnt interested but would come have a cup of tea without preaching anything to me which was good. She's since moved away and it must be bloody free-for-all! Last week I had 8, yes EIGHT seperate JW visitors come to my door. We have a sign on the front gate which clearly states 'No religious callers please.' and a 'warning, dog bites' sign, yet they STILL come! I know they're only doing what they believe is right, and that's fine because thats the way they choose to live their lives, but when you have a sign like the said above sign and the 3 biting dogs, you'd think they'd think 'Hmm... maybe we'll give this house a miss!' I've rung the local Kingdom Hall to let them know and they actually said they'd sort something out for us! Props to them really :D
Mormons on the other hand.. I'll be setting land mines for them shortly (PLEASE dont be offended if you are one) I have a pair of really sexy american mormon guys that come once a fortnight - they get the land mine treatment because they walk around the house looking in all the windows to make sure no-one is actually home. If the car is in the driveway, they stand and ring the doorbell until someone gives up and goes to the door. They did this when Thomas was brand new and got the biggest mouthful of abuse i've ever given ANYONE. Gosh. Yet they still come. They've even got the hose before. ------------- Alex, Thomas and Lily http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 8:17am
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Haha awesome stories everyone!
I guess living out in the whops with 2 big dogs that look intimidating helps us not get any 'visitors' I usually give out my cellphone for random forms etc, and touchwood havent had any annoying calls. |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 8:35am
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Whoever suggested the baby on the boob trick - done that with a sky salesman (about 18 years old from the looks of him). Even when Daniel took himself off the boob and started looking around (and therefore my boob was flashing), it didn't stop his speel. It took a few "excuse me, I'm feeding my son, I have to go" attempts before he got the message. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 8:38am
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Oh and the religious door knockers. DH invited them in once - I was nude in the loo and had no way of getting out unnoticed About 15 minutes later I could escape. I was so not impressed with him (though having heard your stories, it might have been an effective way of getting rid of them). ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 8:49am
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The Kirby people drive me nuts!!! Especially when they don't take no for an answer and beg to vaccum our carpet. Even pointing out we have wooden floors doesn't work!!
We also had the holiday people call us, it was back when I was still working in travel, she couldn't seem to understand that I didn't want a discount holiday card when I flew for stuff all, got into most theme parks free or sodding cheap and got very good deals on accommodation. Yeah I really needed a discount holiday card.Pffffffffffft.  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MrsH23
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 10:29am
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I live in a rural area so I'm pretty lucky that we don't get any religious doorknockers, didn't get them much at my parents either cause their house is down a long driveway and kinda hidden. But when I have had them I'll normally say I'm not interested and shut the door.
We had the holiday call about 2 yrs ago and my DH answered the phone, he's a bit of a sucker so gave them his c/card details etc, thankfully it was *only* $90. They then called a few days later asking if we received the vouchers and asked if we wanted to upgrade them for an extra amount, DH snapped at them then and told them just to send us the original vouchers. Now whenever they call I'll normally laugh and say "I don't think so" and hang up, depending on my mood I'll tell them to bugger off (or worse!)
However if they are obviously calling from NZ I'll listen for a minute then politely tell them I'm not interested. I have a response I'm yet to use with Greenpeace/unicef etc about what they are doing to help the many abused children in NZ. Mum bought that Seacret (dead sea hand cream) stuff about 2 years ago (she's another sucker lol) but I avoid them like the plague when I walk past. ------------- Lisa mummy to Ryan http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 2:21pm
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I had a friend' sister who was a SAHM to two young children, her DH worked long hours and she was struggling with the two young kids and I think lonely. Some JW's came and yelled at them to f*** off. She shut the door and then felt so guilty she opened the door, apologised and then invited them in. She has been a JW ever since. So I guess it does work sometimes ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 2:30pm
ha ha...I can not do that as my kids would run to the door & ask them what they want, (hmm wondering if I could use them as baby sitters for a few hours...my kids ask heaps of questions) |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 2:45pm
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We've been getting a heap of survey/telemarketers ring lately....and we're unlisted also. The best one we had was a few years ago, my phone account was under my Dad's name, and it was also unlisted. American Express rang and asked to speak to my dad, BY NAME....and when I asked how they got the number, they said the phone book, to which I promptly told them they were full of s**t because it was an unlisted number, XXXX didn't live there, nor had he ever lived there, and nor would he ever live there in the future. Then I called Telecom and complained, because it was an unlisted number for a reason.
We don't get many religious callers, although they seem to come about 8am on a Saturday morning (WTF!!)....so everytime I got sucked in, I was in my dressing gown and just stuck my head out the door and said "sorry not interested". One guy tried to get me talking but I just shut the door. |
Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 9:56pm
potato - I agree - but man some can be rude themselves! I had one guy ring up and ask for the bill payer and that he had a fabulous deal going on something that I can't remember. I said no thanks we're not interested and went to hang up and and he sniggered and said 'you're joking, how can you not be interested in saving hundreds of dollars' I was speechless! We used to get up to 3 calls most weekday evenings between 6 & 7pm - right on dinner time! It got incredibly annoying and in the end changed our number and went unlisted - we haven't had a call since it's been great! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: escadachic
Date Posted: 17 November 2009 at 11:18pm
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When they come to my door. I let them attempt to tell me their little speech and then go yeah that's great and I get what you are saying, I am personally a Christian and happy to keep being a Christian, thanks for your visit, but I am happy to stick to Christianity. -------------   
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 12:39pm
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We had a door knocker last night trying to sell Vodafone home network just so happened to be sitting on the couch feeding the baby with the blinds drawn right up and the couch is right by the window bahahaha made dp answer it as well and he was just like thanks mate we're already on vodafone. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 1:17pm
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i like my religious door knocker! he comes every now and then and we have a chat about the kids, the economy, weather, anything else topical... then he leaves me a mag or two and sometimes he reads a bit of scripture - if he remembers. i had some others come round and told them i already had a guy i liked and prefered him, thank you!
i own dead sea moisturiser
other telemarketers get "not interested thanks", and hung up on. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 1:53pm
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I do actually like the look of that dead sea moisturiser...
These Kirby people, think they could do a demo on , like , the whole house ? Think they'll mind if I sit on the sofa drinking coffee and watching TV instead of watching the demo? -------------
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