How can an elderly man stop being pestered by sales people?

Question

My wife and I have been pestered constantly with sales peoples and telemarketers this year and we're both finding it very frustrating. Sometimes I get scared as these people seem to say that I BETTER sign over to them or buy stuff. I worry for my wife as I'm not very mobile no more and it's not right that she should have to tell these people no, is there any way we can stop them harrasing us?

On friday we had a builder saying that our front porch would have to be redone as the tiles had all cracked up, he said the work was urgent. But my son says NOT to give him any money up front and just tell him no, I'm very scared though incase they do something.

I'm 76 years old and wishing you all the best,
Alfred thank you for your help.

Answer 1

You can put a sign near your door for "no soliciting", and if you get a phone call, two things to do, get a caller id, and do not pick up the phone, or when they call, say that you are on a long distance phone call and please remove me from your list.
Your son is right, DO NOT give any money up front.
Say either you have no cash on you, and if they say, we take checks, say sorry, my wife has the check book.
Or just simply say, "We are not interested"
If a company persists on calling or visiting, you can call your police for harassment. More than 2 phone calls, call your phone company and the company will be fined.
I feel for you, because my dad of 78 goes through the same thing.

Answer 2

Alfred, there are scammers out there that go around to elderly and offer this kind of work and never plan to do it. Your son is right. Put up a sign in fron of your place that says "no soliciting". and also "no tresspassing". After that you can call the police and have them removed. If you think they are going to do you or your family harm then report them to the Police. You can file a report and just have it there incase anything were to happen. It is just for your own protection. As far as telemarketers then there is a Nation Do Not Call List. You can call a toll free number and enter some info. and block telemarketers from calling you. That number is 1-888-382-1222. You can also take the business card of the company that offers to do the work and tell them you will think about it and get back with them later. Then you call the Better Business Bureau in your area and report it. I know there were some scammers going around here offering to replace peoples roofs and another company was selling magazines and yet another selling knifes and another selling steaks. They were all scammers that sounded legitament. So please be careful and do not let them talk you into anything. Remember the old addage... If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Best of luck to you and I hope this helps. I am 53 years old and I understand the fear you have with these kind of people.

Answer 3

I'm sure your porch isn't urgent! If a builder cold calls, then don't choose him. If you think you need any work doing get at least three estimates first (which should be free).
Make sure you Son is there with you for estimates and when you have work done.

Talk to the telephone people, explain you are constantly pestered with sales people + telemarketers, tell them you are elderly and your wife is not very mobile, and tell them you NEED an Xdirectory telephone number. It should not be a problem so don't hesitate to call them NOW.

Good luck and kind regards.

Answer 4

You can register below to have your phone number taken off "lists", you could go ex-directory or you could get a call minder (it shows the number of the person calling). You could put a sign on the door that says "no cold callers" or something. I dont think these people will do anything, but you could perhaps check with the police to see if theres anything else you could do. Your son is right whatever you do, do not give these people money. If you need any work done get a reputable person from the phone book or preferably by others recommendation.

Answer 5

You know what man, I had to get my phone disconnected because everyday they'd ring and ring and ring trying to sell me crap. I don't know what you can do, besides build a REALLY big fence that has a LOCK on the outside. That's what I did... and every now and then i sit back and laugh as they struggle to open the gate.

The truth is, ordinary man vs the salesman has become a matter of survival! It's time to be creative... or just put a big sign in front of your door threatening to sue anybody that tries to sell u things, by terming their sales tactics to be harassment. Use frightening words like "sue, criminal, harassment, illegal, police' etc. They may not all go away, but some might.

Answer 6

When telemarketers call, just say to them excuse me a moment there is someone at the door. Put the phone down and when they terminate the call the will screech at you.
Alternatively, press the # key as quickly as you can 7 to 8 times this confuses their computer and should cease this company contacting you.
Any contractor knocking on your door should be ignored but if you do open the door tell them you do not need their services.
If they persist shut the door and call the police.

Answer 7

When they call DEMAND to be taken off their lists. It is illegal for them not to. If the caller is being belligerent then DEMAND to speak to their supervisor. Do not take any nonsense from these charlatans and never buy anything from cold callers. If their product was any good they would not need to cold call. It is your phone so do not be afraid to be as rude as you like to anyone that calls you, especially cold callers. Never give money to builders that call at your door. You are on the net now so you can find reputable builders in your area on-line. Never, ever give out details of your credit card or bank details on-line. A lot of these people prey on the elderly and need to be stopped. I am sure your son will say the same thing. Good luck sir and please do not let any of these thieves take advantage of your good nature.

Answer 8

Don't involve yourself in conversation with these sales people in person. Also, if you are being called by telemarketers, go online & put your phone number on the national do not call list. This list will take 3 months before the telemarketer calls will drop off & inform any telemarketers that you are on the national do not call list & report any online to that site if you can see the number on caller id if you have it.

Answer 9

I, along with my 2 sisters were molested and raped by a Ministerial Servant and another in "Good Standing" brother for over ten years as children and those who knew never told my parents. Those who knew included Elders many of them. The Ministerial Servant finally went to jail he racked up at least 60 to 70 victims. We never told as we were to scared. I have never fully recovered. It breaks my heart what happens to these children within Congregations and most JW's will never know the truth about someone that they could easily be a pedophile and/or rapist until the damage is done.. still as adults there is no justice. So sad. I hope the WBTS will change their views. They only hurt Jehovah's good name by hiding the abuse. EDIT: NO police were ever brought in until years later those parents were disfellowshipped and called apostate. EDIT2: How many pedophiles bring an eye witness to their abuse beside the child? Usually there can be no 2nd witness the police should always be brought in immediately with any accusation.

Answer 10

This is terrible! Do you have caller ID on your phone? This lets you know who is ringing you so you can decide whether to answer. Contact your phone service provider - they will have a way of blocking unwanted calls. As for the callers to your door - report them to the police and if they have a van/car, try to get the registration number too and pass it on. Also you could try saying that your son/sons has his own building business and is taking care of any jobs that need doing around your house and thanks very much for pointing it out though.

In fact tell them that your four (big, burly) sons run a building business together - that should scare them off.