Cold calling to doors, is it allowed?

the_blackstuff

Just wondering about something lately with regards to door to door sales people. We've all had somebody call to our door selling something. Say you have one company or organisation continuously calling to your door trying to get you to change to their company or buy from their organisation. You have previously told them not to call again that you are not interested but it happens again and again at different intervals. You at some point ring them and tell them to stop calling but it continues. Surely they are breaking some law if they are doing this? As far as i know cold calling to phones is not allowed so why would it be allowed door to door? Anyone any ideas? Just something got me thinking about this.

Marcusm

This sounds like it is bordering on harrassment which is unlawful. Have you put your instructions in writing?

the_blackstuff

No i haven't written to them or know anybody who has but i can't see how it would help. These sales people blanket call every door not even knowing who their customers are or not. I would think its a form of harassment myself.

dats_right

the_blackstuff wrote: »

calling to phones is not allowed so why would it be allowed door to door? Anyone any ideas? Just something got me thinking about this.

What frequency are you talking about, is it a couple of times a year/quarter/month/week/day?

I disagree with the other poster, I would think it is very unlikely that the actions you describe would constitute harrassment within the meaning of section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

If this is a very serious issue for you, then you should make an appointment to meet with a solicitor. The solicitor can advise you about your options generally and the possibility of bringing an injunction to have the servant/agents/employees and others connected with than company from contacting you. This will not be particularly cheap but if this is a major issue for you then it may be your best option.

Procrastastudy

I've always wondered if putting the following sign up on your door would work:

SALES PEOPLE WELCOME

Please ring the bell - I would be delighted to hear about your product for the fee of €40 per 15 minutes or part there of. By ringing my bell you accept this offer as stated. Please note payments may only be made in cash up front. Failure to pay may result in legal action.

Failing that I know all around the part of Thames Valley I'm from the police produced a sticker you could put on the door saying inter alia "We do not buy or sell from this door" in responce to various scams that were going on. Would be nice if the local gardai started such a scheme.

Failing all that I'd just stick a sign up and then be quite rude if it was ignored. My particular favourite is asking them to stick the ID under the door as I want to check it and not giving it back

Finnbar01

I'm absolutely sick of people calling to my front door looking for me to join up to something or another.

I don't bother opening the front door anymore.

the_blackstuff

Its just the nuisance factor really that gets me with them and some from company are just plain rude and in your face. The same guy once called to me 3 times in the space of 6 months when he was told the first time we are not interested! Its mainly the one company i have issues with

Procrastastudy

Next time he calls ask

"Have you heard about our Lord Jesus Christ?"

Ayla

I have no idea what type of company is calling to your door, but if by chance it's some sort of financial business (broker/bank/etc) then they absolutely can never cold call you - either on the phone or at your door. If that's whose at you, conact the Central Bank & they'll point you in the right direction b/c the offenders would be definitely breaking a number of consumer protection codes.

BornToKill

Ayla wrote: »

I have no idea what type of company is calling to your door, but if by chance it's some sort of financial business (broker/bank/etc) then they absolutely can never cold call you - either on the phone or at your door. If that's whose at you, conact the Central Bank & they'll point you in the right direction b/c the offenders would be definitely breaking a number of consumer protection codes.

For sure? Do the regulations not only apply to collections and in particular to mortgage arrears where the lending is by a covered institution?

the_blackstuff

Lets just say its one of our energy suppliers. You can probably guess. Probably not a lot can be done so.

ElleEm

Finnbar01 wrote: »

I'm absolutely sick of people calling to my front door looking for me to join up to something or another.

I don't bother opening the front door anymore.

I don't answer my door either.
At least once a week we have one call from a charity, internet, phone, electricity or TV provider. Drives me NUTS!!!

Clauric

It is very annoying to have people call to the door, and try and sell you products and services. After a couple of instances of this happening, I was speaking to a solicitor regarding another matter, and brought the subject up.

He told me that putting a sign up, stating that only invited guests, and contractors with whom I had a pre-existing contract were allowed on to the property (house has 2 entrances with largish gardens). That regretfully didn't work. Pity.

A friend of mine has a large sign up saying "Beware of large dog, he bites". Combined with this, his doorbell is that of a very angry sounding dog. He claims he has no problems with cold callers.

Ayla

BornToKill wrote: »

For sure? Do the regulations not only apply to collections and in particular to mortgage arrears where the lending is by a covered institution?

I'm not sure what you're asking here, but this is the code that covers all regulated financial institutions for any regulated financial reason:

http://www.centralbank.ie/consumer/cpc/requirements/Pages/personalvisits.aspx

A quick quote from the above that summarises my point:

A regulated entity must not make an unsolicited personal visit, at any time, to a consumer who is an individual.

Of course, there is a loophole for the institutions: in their Terms of Business, if they have some stipulation that they can do x/y/z if you do x/y/z, and you accept these terms, then you're at their mercy.

Anyway, this is beside the point: the OP was about a cold call salesperson, which (outside of the financial industry) the above does not cover. That said, I would be surprised if other similar consumer protection codes don't exist for other industries.

A question I have for the OP: when this company keeps coming back, is it the same rep every time? I ask b/c if the company just sends their (possibly rotating) team into a neighborhood, then there likely isn't a log of no-go houses (as opposed to if the same eegit keeps knocking on your door & just won't take the hint). If it's the same person every time then I would definitely favour some drastic approach that would help them remember to stay away from yours in the future. If it's not the same person I would hound the company, put signs on your door/etc.

byhookorbycrook

Vodaphone lady called yesterday in the middle of the big race at Cheltenham, closed the door on her mid-sentence for a finish.

the_blackstuff

[/Quote]

A question I have for the OP: when this company keeps coming back, is it the same rep every time? I ask b/c if the company just sends their (possibly rotating) team into a neighborhood, then there likely isn't a log of no-go houses (as opposed to if the same eegit keeps knocking on your door & just won't take the hint). If it's the same person every time then I would definitely favour some drastic approach that would help them remember to stay away from yours in the future. If it's not the same person I would hound the company, put signs on your door/etc.[/Quote]

Initially it had been the same guy 3 times in a row. I don't think he'll be back after the last time. It looks like these sales people are probably dropped in mass at times to blanket call the whole area. They don't seem to keep any record of where they have previous called to. They have no idea if the house they are calling to are customers of theirs or not. This just adds to the nuisance factor. You can nearly predict when they will call also. Currently the ESB have their last offer running out at the end of this month, we have had 2 sales people from company x to our door in 24 hrs and 1 a few weeks back! Its a little bit of over kill

Deank

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Vodaphone lady called yesterday in the middle of the big race at Cheltenham, closed the door on her mid-sentence for a finish.

Eh it's Vodafone, not Vodaphone.