Here are some effective techniques for handling door-to-door salesmen.
1,Don’t answer the door. The best way to resist any form of marketing is to
avoid it altogether. Don’t watch television ads, don’t read junk mail,
don’t engage telemarketers. And don’t open the door to a traveling
salesman.
2,Don’t let him inside. If you do open the door to find a salesman, don’t
let him in your home. Once he’s in, he has the advantage. Good salespeople
know this. Some people feel it’s rude not to ask a salesman inside, but
that’s not true. The salesman isn’t concerned with etiquette (and, in fact
, takes advantage of social conventions by using them against you). The
salesman just wants inside your home so he can make his pitch. Keep him
outside.
3,Don’t listen to the presentation. Most sales pitches are constructed to
get you answering questions (usually with a “yes”) as soon as possible.
Don’t fall for it. Again, nobody wants to be rude, but which would you
rather do: interrupt the pitch or buy an overpriced set of steak knives? I’
d rather interrupt the pitch.
4,Be courteous but firm. The salesman is just doing his job. Yes, it’s a
shitty job, and Tell him or her something like this: “Thanks for coming by,
but I’m not interested in buying a new vacuum cleaner right now. Have a
nice day.”
5,Get a big dog.
