HomeFairfax General ForumArrest/Ticket SearchWiki newPictures/VideosChatArticlesLinksAbout
Fairfax County General :  Fairfax Underground fairfax underground logo
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Viss1 ()
Date: May 18, 2007 03:30PM

Last year it was the Verizon FIOS people. This year it appears to be ADT security people. They knock on your door and want to sign you up for their product/service on the spot. I always ask if they can give me some literature so I can do some research, but they never have any. So no sale with me.

Anyone else answer the door when a solicitor knocks? And has anyone signed up with Verizon FIOS or ADT Security because of one of these visits? I can't imagine just saying, "Sure, why not, I don't know anything about your product, but here's my personal info. Feel free to start billing me."

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: same here ()
Date: May 18, 2007 03:46PM

Verizon put signs on everybody in my neighborhood's houses.That was about a week or two ago. Then another about five days later,since about Monday or Tuesday they have been outside pounding down with their enormous pneumatic tools. The workers are all perverts who without even the slightest dignity stare at you while you walk past them so unabashadely as to do it as soon as soon as you enter their field of view. It's absolutely uncomfortable and degrading. They stop everything they're doing as you walk by which makes it obvious that they're disturbed. I can't wait untill they're done.And no, I didn't sign up for FiOS.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Jester ()
Date: May 18, 2007 04:24PM

same here Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The workers are all perverts who without even the
> slightest dignity stare at you while you walk past
> them so unabashadely as to do it as soon as soon
> as you enter their field of view.

Wow! A compound split infinitive. Keep up the good work!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: cw ()
Date: May 18, 2007 06:43PM

I always tell solicitors I am only house sitting for the owners who are in Europe for six months. I have no authority to buy or order anything.

If you do the slam the door or get nasty routine you risk having your home vandalized later. Some of these guys are ex cons and know how to get back at people.

Also dont bother putting up "no solicitors" sign they dont work.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: TinFFx ()
Date: May 18, 2007 06:53PM

I want FiOS. When will they come to my neighborhood?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: FairF4x0r ()
Date: May 18, 2007 06:56PM

I just never answer the door unless I'm expecting someone. And if it is someone I know they can call me and ask wtf am I not answering the door and then I'll open it.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: memory ()
Date: May 18, 2007 07:01PM

That "no solicitors" thing reminds me of a friend's neighbor who never went outside (at least as far as we know) and had a metal reinforced mail bin installed near his door. He had signs all over his front door.Once,he thought he had heard something outside and went outside with a rifle,a neighbor saw him and called the cops(seeing as how nobody ever sees him). They had the SWAT team come in.psycho.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: ferfux ()
Date: May 18, 2007 08:07PM

Last time Morman missionaries came to my door I told them we had several people inside dealing with severe cases of Chicken Pox. They gave me some literature and scampered away muttering, "may john smith protect us" or something.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Schrute ()
Date: May 18, 2007 08:31PM

ferfux Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Last time Morman missionaries came to my door I
> told them we had several people inside dealing
> with severe cases of Chicken Pox. They gave me
> some literature and scampered away muttering,
> "may john smith protect us" or something.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Schrute ()
Date: May 18, 2007 08:33PM

County Ordinance regarding solicitors; for your reading pleasure:

http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=10051&sid=46

Section 31-1-2. Prohibited acts.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any canvasser, peddler, or solicitor to ring the bell, or knock on the door, or otherwise attempt to gain admittance for the purpose of canvassing, peddling or soliciting at any residence, dwelling or apartment at which a sign bearing the words "No Peddlers or Solicitors" or words of similar import indicating that such persons are not wanted on said premises, is painted, affixed or otherwise exposed to public view.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any canvasser, peddler, or solicitor, to canvass, peddle, or solicit except between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any canvasser, peddler, or solicitor to fail to disclose to the prospective buyer, upon request, his name and the name of the company, product or organization he represents, and if requested so to do, to leave the premises immediately.
(d) It shall be unlawful for any canvasser, peddler, or solicitor to make any assertion, representation or statement of fact which misrepresents the purpose of his call, or use any plan, scheme, or ruse which misrepresents such purpose.
(e) It shall be unlawful for any peddler or solicitor to fail to provide, at the request of the purchaser, a written receipt, which receipt shall be signed by the person making the sale and shall set forth a brief description of the goods or services sold, the total purchase price thereof, amount of cash payment, if any, and the balance due and terms of payment.
(f) It shall be unlawful for any person licensed pursuant to this Chapter to use or exploit the fact of being licensed so as to lead the public to believe that such registration in any manner constitutes an endorsement or approval by this County; provided, however, that the use of the following statement shall not be deemed a prohibited exploitation:"Licensed by the Director of the Fairfax County Department of Consumer Affairs as required by law. Licensing does not imply endorsement by Fairfax County.
(g) It shall be unlawful for any canvasser, peddler, or solicitor to give false or incorrect information to the Director in filing statements or reports required by this Chapter.
(h) It shall be unlawful for any person who is licensed as a promoter of an arts and crafts show pursuant to this Chapter to fail to submit a roster of all peddlers, itinerant merchants, or solicitors who are expected to participate in any arts and crafts show being sponsored by that person to the Director no less than three (3) days prior to conducting any such show. That roster also shall indicate the time and place of the expected show.
(i) It shall be unlawful for any person who is licensed as a promoter of an arts and crafts show pursuant to this Chapter to fail to keep at the site of an arts and crafts show a current roster of all peddlers, itinerant merchants, or solicitors participating in any ongoing arts and crafts show being sponsored by that person, and it shall be unlawful to fail to show such roster upon request to the Director or to any law enforcement official.
(j) It shall be unlawful for any such promoter to fail to file with the Director a complete roster of all such participants within seven (7) days after the completion of any arts and crafts show sponsored by the promoter within the County. All such rosters shall record the time and location of the event, and such rosters shall identify the full name, address, telephone number and nature of business for each participant. (16-76-31; 43-81-31; 22-84-31; 10-93-31, ยง 1.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/18/2007 08:34PM by Schrute.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Radiophile ()
Date: May 21, 2007 01:12PM

Their question "are you the decission maker for this household"

My Response "No I am just sleeping with his wife"

Works every time.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Lester Burnham ()
Date: May 21, 2007 02:50PM

The "No Solicitors" sign works, but by the time they get to the front door it is generally too late. What really seems to help is when my 85 pound German Shepherd Dog jumps up and barks like she wants to tear the solicitor to shreds. We have a sign on our mailbox post, but no one ever seems to look there.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Briarhop1 ()
Date: May 21, 2007 02:57PM

Once when I lived on Capitol Hill I really got tired of solicitors all the time.
I made a sign for my door. It said "Peddlers, solicitors, and religious representatives (other than Satanist's) are not wanted or welcome. Violators will
be shot first and asked questions later. FBI, CIA, IRS, and other vermin by appointment only!


Worked fine.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: rev.stacks ()
Date: May 21, 2007 03:15PM

fyi - those adt people that come by are "authorized adt dealers" and don't work for adt corporate. i know this b/c i used to work for corporate. not like you'd buy from them anyway, but i would recommend against it b/c the system that they sell can be disarmed simply by unplugging it as they have the power source hooked up right next to the phone line so no signal can get out to the police. just thought i'd let everyone know.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: KeepOnTruckin ()
Date: May 21, 2007 07:30PM

Lester Burnham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What really seems to help is when my 85
> pound German Shepherd Dog jumps up and barks like
> she wants to tear the solicitor to shreds. We
> have a sign on our mailbox post, but no one ever
> seems to look there.


Right, I used to distribute flyers, regardless of no soliciting signs, my organization directed me to distribute them anyway. I generally took large dogs as a living no soliciting sign. And no i dont solicit anymore.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Viss1 ()
Date: October 22, 2011 02:21PM

Just had another run-in with these motherfuckers while I was taking care of something at a family member's house. Guy saw me in the backyard and came back there to start his sales pitch. Told him it wasn't my house and that the owner does not accept solicitations. Long story short, a minute or two later I was literally physically escorting him off the property. I can't fathom how Verizon makes a business case for employing these dipshits.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Careful Citizen ()
Date: October 22, 2011 02:23PM

A lot of solicitors, or what appear to be, are often casing neighborhoods for car/house break ins. Be very wary of them, because this has often been the case after a lot of canvassing, such as 3-5 man teams. Just FYI.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: holyshitdumbass ()
Date: October 22, 2011 03:50PM

2 solicitations in 4 years, oh my god!!! what is the world coming to?

fucking cunt

at least Viss1 will be posting no more

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Girthy One Eyed Man ()
Date: October 22, 2011 03:54PM

Amway-didn't they change names, and if so , do they still do door to door sales? What about Vector Knives I believe was the name of it? Do they still conduct sales this way? Also Kirby Carpet Vacuums?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Some advice ()
Date: October 22, 2011 04:14PM

Just a bit of advice, if the "ADT" people come to your door and ask "Do you have an alarm system", never answer "no". You don't know who this guy is. He could be a thief casing your neighborhood for the homes without alarms.

Personally I am with the OP. I can't imagine going "Oh yeah, please "random guy off the street", I want to buy a security system from you!". I'll find them when I need them. I had some security system info shoved in my door the other day. The materials were so low class, I can't imagine ever calling this guy for a system, even if he is legit.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Have dog and gun ()
Date: October 22, 2011 04:16PM

Solicitors=target practice for both

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: gettin ready ()
Date: October 22, 2011 05:31PM

I always tell them I am getting ready to sell the house

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: mean bitch ()
Date: October 22, 2011 06:53PM

Yeah they sent a hot young blonde girl to my house in Great Falls earlier this summer. I was very stoned and told her I was busy and she had the balls to ask "busy doing what, because your family's security is pretty important" I told her none of your damn business and to please go now.

She didn't realize the windows were open and that I could hear her cursing out loud and calling me a fat bitch as she walked up the drive.

She made a really big deal about "DON'T call corporate on the web, they can't get you the deals I can get you" and I was like "Cunt, the fuck do I need a security system when I have a gun and could just sit on any intruders anyway?" so to be fair I was really being a fat bitch.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Neighborhood Solicitors
Posted by: Hauzfrau ()
Date: October 22, 2011 06:57PM

Now that I think about it, this yard work guy named Wayne Jenkins has come to my house no less than four times to tell me that I need to have our pin oak cut down. He looks at the tree like a fat man looking at a pie or how a pervo sizes up a hot woman. I seriously think he wants to build a boat or something cause he licks his lips while he claims (erroneously) that the tree has "died back pretty good" and that he will take it down for me and gives me his card.

the last time he dropped by the sprinklers went on while he was standing on my porch and he about jumped a foot-- seemed EXTREMELY nervous. I never even open the door to him-- but he's been back four times. the last time I told him we have no intentions of cutting the tree and if we did, we'd use another tree service.

Options: ReplyQuote


Your Name: 
Your Email (Optional): 
Subject: 
Attach a file
  • No file can be larger than 75 MB
  • All files together cannot be larger than 300 MB
  • 30 more file(s) can be attached to this message
Spam prevention:
Please, enter the code that you see below in the input field. This is for blocking bots that try to post this form automatically.
 **     **  **     **  **     **  ********   ******** 
  **   **   **     **   **   **   **     **  **       
   ** **    **     **    ** **    **     **  **       
    ***     *********     ***     ********   ******   
   ** **    **     **    ** **    **         **       
  **   **   **     **   **   **   **         **       
 **     **  **     **  **     **  **         ******** 
This forum powered by Phorum.