Door-to-door salesperson was rude and pushy

Bryant Osborn
Published: October 7, 2008

This week someone rang my doorbell at 8 p.m.

A college-age kid handed me a bottle of dishwashing detergent and said it was a free gift. He then gave me a spiel about some company giving him money for college if he could just show me something. He asked me if I “had a minute” to take a look at something. Then he brought out a vaccuum cleaner.

I knew nothing about the vacuum cleaner company or their sales reps. I figured it was harmless to let him do his demonstration and get credit for it. That was a very serious mistake.

Once inside, he refused to take “no” for an answer and refused to leave when asked. He told me, “You need to work with me, here.” It turned ugly, and he did eventually leave.

I was so angry that I searched the Web for references to “sales reps” from this company, and what I found shocked me. This is apparently a standard operating procedure.

When the sales reps refuse to leave, many people decide to sign the sales contract to get rid of the rep. They think they can cancel the order the next day.

You really should read what can happen when people try to cancel an order.

Here is the bottom line: If you know that you do not have any interest in a $1,500 vacuum cleaner and someone shows up at your door, do not let them into your house. Do not get sucked into thinking you are doing someone a favor. And if they refuse to leave the first time you ask, then call 911 immediately. Some sales reps use despicable sales practices. Forewarned is forearmed.

Bryant Osborn
Culpeper