No Soliciting Poster

How to get rid of Solicitors

Everyone knows the annoyance of having your day interrupted by someone on your doorstep who wants to sell you something or convert you to their religion. Here are some sure-fire ways of getting rid of them…fast!

  • Live in a covenanted neighborhood that doesn’t allow soliciting or flyers. Obviously, this option isn’t for everyone, but it is definitely a good way to get rid of solicitors.
  • Post a no soliciting sign. You can print a free no soliciting sign from the internet, or you can buy the basic plastic or metal version offered in hardware stores.
  • Know your rights. Even if you have posted a no soliciting sign, not all solicitors pay attention to them. In fact, the industry is constantly coming up with reasons to justify their being on your doorstep – reasons such as, “We’re not selling anything, we just want to offer you this free gift,” or, “We just want to talk to you about [insert religion].” However, dictionary.com defines soliciting as “seeking to obtain,” in general. Evidently selling is not the only form of soliciting, as offering you a free gift to try to get you to sign up for a service, or even trying to persuade your personal religious beliefs, still constitutes “seeking to obtain” something. However, some areas have passed laws prohibiting soliciting where signs are posted. Know what your area says about soliciting, and be prepared to confront the solicitor with that information.
  • Just say no. When you are answering the door, keep in mind that this is your house. They are on your property, therefore it is your right to dismiss them when you choose. Don’t worry about being polite to these people – simply by being there, they’ve already ignored common decency. Once they state their business on your doorstep, you are free to say, “No, thank you,” and close the door. Closing the door is important, because solicitors tend to keep talking otherwise, in a desperate attempt to change your “no” to a “yes.”

Your time is important, and there is no reason why you should be interrupted by solicitors. Taking a few precautions can reduce your chances of being bothered, and knowing how to handle them when they do appear can get rid of them quickly.