No Soliciting

I make it a rule to never purchase anything from someone coming to my front door and I have also informed my neighbors of the rule because many times a sales person will say "your neighbor said you would be interested . .. . " and people purchase on their neighbor's false recommendation. This was the case when someone arrived at my house trying to sell magazines. Not ones that I would receive but they would send on my behalf to some charity!!! Unfortunately, a neighbor gave them $100 thinking they were helping the troops by having magazines mailed to them.
There are too many scams going on and there seemed to be a run of sales people arriving at my front door during the hours when Downton Abbey was on (they probably thought it was a good time to catch people at home!) so I stuck a "no soliciting" sign on the door.
Despite the notice and the requirements by our city for those registering for permits, someone from Reliant Energy came to my door last night. He had my name and other personal information on a list which is uncomfortable in itself and insisted the sign didn't apply to him because he wasn't selling anything!

Check with your city for solicitation requirements and note that in most cases you legally have 3 days to rescind any agreement with someone who comes to your home, but good luck finding them if it's not a legitimate company.

Door-to-Door Solicitation

The City of Benbrook Code of Ordinances regulates solicitors and persons who distribute commercial handbills door-to-door or building-to-building. Persons conducting solicitor activities are required to obtain the proper permit or registration from the City prior to performing solicitation activities. Requirements include:

• No person shall solicit within the public right-of-way of any street or highway
• Solicitation and handbill distribution is not permitted between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
• Solicitors and handbill distributors may not solicit or leave handbills at premises when a sign has been posted giving notice that solicitors are not welcome, such as “no solicitors” or words of similar meaning
• If a person uses a vehicle in solicitation activities, there must be a sign located in a conspicuous place on the vehicle, identifying the name of the person or the company that the person represents. If the name is an individual, it must be followed by the word “solicitor”. The lettering on the sign must be at least two and one-half inches high
• Solicitors and handbill distributors must wear a traffic safety vest