Why are businesses not letting me give away gifts to people on their property?

Question

I want to know if it is illegal to give away gifts to people? If so, that is wrong. I already had two businesses blow me off, on letting me give away gifts on their property. I just do not understand.

I will not put up my web site address. Because you might think this is spaming. This world is unreal. If you want my web site address, then click my profile.

Answer 1

Businesses may not want the responsibility or liability associated with you giving things to people on their property.

Answer 2

Business do not want their customers annoyed with people approaching them for any reason.
I find it hard to believe you are simply handing out gifts. Are you proselytizing? Campaigning? Recruiting?

You are not telling us the entire story. If you see me on the way in... don't bother me please.

As far a the legal issue... If it is a mall or plaza the store owners are protected because even the parking lot is private property. City streets is a different issue.

Answer 3

So the real point of your question is that you want people to request your web site, so that you can spam them.

As for the rest, there's very few actual "gifts" in this world. My guess is that the business owners see you as the grifter that you are, and don't want your actions lowering their customers opinion of them by thinking that they agree with your actions.

There's a thing called "the smell test." This "they're only gifts" line smells to high heaven, flunking the test.

Answer 4

When you are on a businesses property they can say what you will and will not do there. They will not allow you to distract or hassle their customer. You should respect this. Always ask if what you are going to do is okay with them and you can avoid being kicked off the property.

Answer 5

Probably because they do not want their customers harrassed as they come or go. Most people think that someone handing out gifts is some type of gimmick. If it was my business, I'd have you ran off too.

Answer 6

yes,, im from detroit and its called solicitation and it is illeagal in michigan,, you are soliciting and illegally taking costomers from their establishment, w/ o their permission,, you are also trespassing on private property,,,,

youre lucky they didnt have you arrested on site,,,, they pay for that property and in order for you to legally sell your items there or around any business for that matter,, you need to enter into a legal contract w/ them ,, if you dont,,,, then,,,,

i suggest you start looking for some small shop to start your business, that way its legal and you control the shots,,

until you do though you will always run into this problem,, establish yourself as a legitimate business,,not a solicitor and you will see better results,,,,

Answer 7

The only reason that i can think of is, that the businesses are afraid that it may scare customers away and that it is called soliciting regardless if you are giving them away or selling them, in the end the businesses think that it is inappropriate.

Answer 8

All the replies I've read here are excellent. They bring out some real good points. There is one other thought, and that is: Even if what you're doing is absolutely legitimate, and you really are giving away things for nothing (I agree you're not telling us the whole story), if they let you do it, they'll have to let anybody who wants to give things away do it, also. They can't discriminate. "Let one do it, you have to let them all do it."

Answer 9

Giving away "gifts" is usually a way to advertise for some product or service. You can't blame people for not wanting you to advertise in their store.

Answer 10

If I had a store and people were being made uncomfortable by the presence of someone "loitering" outside my store for wahtever reason, I would want him moved.