No soliciting - overkill?

[Knitterly]

I have two signs on the door.  They are a little snarky.  Mr K thinks the first one is absolutely hilarious.  I would have thought the second one was overkill if not for the fact that I STILL got my bell rung.

The first sign that is up all the time reads: "Absolutely no soliciting.  Ever!  We are not interested in your scam, scheme, or religion!  We are happy with our hot water tank and our hydro.  We do not want a quote for lawn care (go away, [SpecificCompany]).  We are happy with our church and do not need a new vacuum.  Thank you.  Have a nice day. (Girl Guides are always welcome)."

Mr K finds that one hilarious.  There's a reason SpecificCompany is called out by name.  They keep calling us and coming to our door repeatedly.  We had an awful experience with them once and will never EVER use them.

The second sign, which is written on bright pink paper and gets taped up when LK is napping or in bed for the night used to read: "Baby Sleeping! Please knock.  Don't ring the bell!" 
That sign was ignored.
The new one reads: "Baby sleeping!  If you don't have a LEGITIMATE reason to be here, please go away.  Otherwise, please KNOCK!  Don't ring the bell.  Thank you."

Just wondering... is that overkill?  Rude?

Here's what happened just now:
We've been getting a ridiculous amount of scammers coming through our neighbourhood.  It drives me crazy.  Really crazy.  The latest one is someone knocking asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.  She wouldn't tell me who she is with, even though I asked.  So I told her that she had no business ringing my bell.  She told me that she wasn't "soliciting" so my "very rude sign" doesn't apply to her.
If she wasn't soliciting, she would have started by telling me who she was representing - the correct answer is either my energy company or the government.  Any answer but those two means she's scamming.  She wasn't forthright with that info, so I know she was not legit.

I managed to keep myself composed long enough to close the door in her face and not actually say what I was thinking.  It wasn't polite.

Does anyone else have suggestions for signs that might actually work?
If not, coping techniques for door-to-door scammers (or ridiculous stories on the same) will suffice.

(edited because I forgot the subscript at the bottom of the first sign.)

[IMissItaly]

Maybe disable your doorbell? Mine doesn't work and strangers then knock when they don't hear a bell ring. At that point I can determine whether or not I open the door. If I'm expecting friends, or pizza delivery, I put a sticky note over the bell telling them to knock.

[oceanus]

asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.

These people annoy the (bleep) out of me.

I called the gas co and was told they were from some company doing some subcontract work…lots of jibberish.  I told one guy I wasn’t interested and he said “Not interested in saving money?”  I snapped “No.  Please go.”

A shame that people have to earn a living doing that.  I saw them going to other places down the street.

“Have you received your rebate yet?”  Gimme a break. 

[Outdoor Girl]

I've gotten to the point that if I look out through the small window in the door and I don't recognize the person on the other side, I don't answer the door.  I don't really care if they can see me.  I've never had anybody continue to knock on my door.  If they did, I'd yell through the door that if they didn't leave my property immediately, I'd be calling the police.

I've wanted to post a sign on my door for a long time:  'If you are over the age of 12 and you don't know me personally, don't bother knocking.'  I haven't done it but I've sure been tempted some weeks.

[oceanus]

I've gotten to the point that if I look out through the small window in the door and I don't recognize the person on the other side, I don't answer the door.

Smart, and safe.

[jpcher]

asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.

These people annoy the (bleep) out of me.

I called the gas co and was told they were from some company doing some subcontract work…lots of jibberish.  I told one guy I wasn’t interested and he said “Not interested in saving money?”  I snapped “No.  Please go.”

A shame that people have to earn a living doing that.  I saw them going to other places down the street.

“Have you received your rebate yet?”  Gimme a break. 

Bold above -- and yet, that is a job that some people have to do in order to earn a living. Please do not shame them. They have a job. They have a boss. They do what they have to do in order to earn money so that they have a place to live or buy food for themselves or put clothes on their children's back. I'm betting that this is not their dream job. They are not doing this just to get your gander up.

Yes. It's irritating for those of us that are luckier than them. But, please, respond to "these" people in a polite manner.

A simple smile along with a "No, thank you" goes a long way in their lives.

[oceanus]

asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.

These people annoy the (bleep) out of me.

I called the gas co and was told they were from some company doing some subcontract work…lots of jibberish.  I told one guy I wasn’t interested and he said “Not interested in saving money?”  I snapped “No.  Please go.”

A shame that people have to earn a living doing that.  I saw them going to other places down the street.

“Have you received your rebate yet?”  Gimme a break. 

Bold above -- and yet, that is a job that some people have to do in order to earn a living. Please do not shame them. They have a job. They have a boss. They do what they have to do in order to earn money so that they have a place to live or buy food for themselves or put clothes on their children's back. I'm betting that this is not their dream job. They are not doing this just to get your gander up.

Yes. It's irritating for those of us that are luckier than them. But, please, respond to "these" people in a polite manner.

A simple smile along with a "No, thank you" goes a long way in their lives.

Whoa.

jpcher - the one who is "getting their gander up" is YOU.  I don't need a sermon/reprimand, I don't need you telling me how to treat a solicitor who appears uninvited at my residence, and I don't need you telling me that some people have to earn their living doing a job like that.  I obviously know that. and I still stand by everything I said.  No one is "shaming" anyone, so please simmer down.  Maybe you can also address the topic instead of me.

[MOM21SON]

asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.

These people annoy the (bleep) out of me.

I called the gas co and was told they were from some company doing some subcontract work…lots of jibberish.  I told one guy I wasn’t interested and he said “Not interested in saving money?”  I snapped “No.  Please go.”

A shame that people have to earn a living doing that.  I saw them going to other places down the street.

“Have you received your rebate yet?”  Gimme a break. 

Bold above -- and yet, that is a job that some people have to do in order to earn a living. Please do not shame them. They have a job. They have a boss. They do what they have to do in order to earn money so that they have a place to live or buy food for themselves or put clothes on their children's back. I'm betting that this is not their dream job. They are not doing this just to get your gander up.

Yes. It's irritating for those of us that are luckier than them. But, please, respond to "these" people in a polite manner.

A simple smile along with a "No, thank you" goes a long way in their lives.

I couldn't agree more.   

[Scuba_Dog]

asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.

These people annoy the (bleep) out of me.

I called the gas co and was told they were from some company doing some subcontract work…lots of jibberish.  I told one guy I wasn’t interested and he said “Not interested in saving money?”  I snapped “No.  Please go.”

A shame that people have to earn a living doing that.  I saw them going to other places down the street.

“Have you received your rebate yet?”  Gimme a break. 

Bold above -- and yet, that is a job that some people have to do in order to earn a living. Please do not shame them. They have a job. They have a boss. They do what they have to do in order to earn money so that they have a place to live or buy food for themselves or put clothes on their children's back. I'm betting that this is not their dream job. They are not doing this just to get your gander up.

Yes. It's irritating for those of us that are luckier than them. But, please, respond to "these" people in a polite manner.

A simple smile along with a "No, thank you" goes a long way in their lives.

This is SO spot on!

Well said, jpcher.

[SiotehCat]

asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.

These people annoy the (bleep) out of me.

I called the gas co and was told they were from some company doing some subcontract work…lots of jibberish.  I told one guy I wasn’t interested and he said “Not interested in saving money?”  I snapped “No.  Please go.”

A shame that people have to earn a living doing that.  I saw them going to other places down the street.

“Have you received your rebate yet?”  Gimme a break. 

Bold above -- and yet, that is a job that some people have to do in order to earn a living. Please do not shame them. They have a job. They have a boss. They do what they have to do in order to earn money so that they have a place to live or buy food for themselves or put clothes on their children's back. I'm betting that this is not their dream job. They are not doing this just to get your gander up.

Yes. It's irritating for those of us that are luckier than them. But, please, respond to "these" people in a polite manner.

A simple smile along with a "No, thank you" goes a long way in their lives.

This is SO spot on!

Well said, jpcher.

I agree, Jpcher.

I was a telemarketer for a while, so I understand when someone is just doing their job.

I don't think anyone has to sit there and hear their sales pitch, but a "No, Thanks" wouldn't hurt anybody.

[Outdoor Girl]

As long as they take my 'No, thanks.'  I've had a number of people keep talking and keep phoning, even when I've told them to remove me from their calling list, not to mention the guy who stuck his foot in my doorway to prevent me from closing the door.  He got told to move his foot or I'd be calling the police.

The few bad apples make us not so ready to be nice to the next person who knocks on our door or calls us on the phone.

[MOM21SON]

asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.

These people annoy the (bleep) out of me.

I called the gas co and was told they were from some company doing some subcontract work…lots of jibberish.  I told one guy I wasn’t interested and he said “Not interested in saving money?”  I snapped “No.  Please go.”

A shame that people have to earn a living doing that.  I saw them going to other places down the street.

“Have you received your rebate yet?”  Gimme a break. 

Bold above -- and yet, that is a job that some people have to do in order to earn a living. Please do not shame them. They have a job. They have a boss. They do what they have to do in order to earn money so that they have a place to live or buy food for themselves or put clothes on their children's back. I'm betting that this is not their dream job. They are not doing this just to get your gander up.

Yes. It's irritating for those of us that are luckier than them. But, please, respond to "these" people in a polite manner.

A simple smile along with a "No, thank you" goes a long way in their lives.

Whoa.

jpcher - the one who is "getting their gander up" is YOU.  I don't need a sermon/reprimand, I don't need you telling me how to treat a solicitor who appears uninvited at my residence, and I don't need you telling me that some people have to earn their living doing a job like that.  I obviously know that. and I still stand by everything I said.  No one is "shaming" anyone, so please simmer down.  Maybe you can also address the topic instead of me.

Do you act this way in public?? 

[Knitterly]

asking if we've gotten our energy rebate yet.

These people annoy the (bleep) out of me.

I called the gas co and was told they were from some company doing some subcontract work…lots of jibberish.  I told one guy I wasn’t interested and he said “Not interested in saving money?”  I snapped “No.  Please go.”

A shame that people have to earn a living doing that.  I saw them going to other places down the street.

“Have you received your rebate yet?”  Gimme a break. 

Bold above -- and yet, that is a job that some people have to do in order to earn a living. Please do not shame them. They have a job. They have a boss. They do what they have to do in order to earn money so that they have a place to live or buy food for themselves or put clothes on their children's back. I'm betting that this is not their dream job. They are not doing this just to get your gander up.

Yes. It's irritating for those of us that are luckier than them. But, please, respond to "these" people in a polite manner.

A simple smile along with a "No, thank you" goes a long way in their lives.

This is SO spot on!

Well said, jpcher.

I agree, Jpcher.

I was a telemarketer for a while, so I understand when someone is just doing their job.

I don't think anyone has to sit there and hear their sales pitch, but a "No, Thanks" wouldn't hurt anybody.

Actually, I was also a telemarketer for a while.  We were specifically trained how to "turn a no into a yes".  I honestly hated every second of that job.  I needed it, though.  I do try to be polite - as long as the person I'm talking to isn't rude or snarky with me.

Honestly, someone who is going to ignore a "no soliciting" sign - someone who honestly believes it doesn't apply to them - is not going to abide by a simple "no thank you."  I've tried "no thank you" - the only people it ever works on are the ones I don't mind coming to my door.  It only ever seems to work on the kids selling chocolate bars.

I was hoping for some ideas on how to prevent solicitations without being rude (staking a big old sign in the lawn is probably overkill, but I felt like doing that tonight). 

[oceanus]

I'm just going to let a mod deal with you, MOM21SON.

[Danika]

Back to the original question.

In your shoes, if you're getting a lot of doorbell ringers waking up your child, I would disconnect the doorbell until a few years from now when your child is no longer napping during the daytime. And I would just tell friends to knock or call from their cellphones (if they have one) as they pull in your driveway. And, like a PP said, leave a note for pizza delivery folks to knock.

We have a "no soliciting" sign and another "no handbills" sign on our door. Despite them, we get solicitors often. And in our county, they have to have a permit to solicit. I believe many of them don't and I could call the county police every time they show up.

But I work from home and don't want to be bothered stopping my work and walking all the way to the door every time it rings. My neighbors and friends know to call or email before they come over. They know that otherwise, I just ignore the doorbell completely. I also have a peephole. And for other reasons (toxic family and a weirdo neighbor), I installed a visible security camera above the front door. That seems to keep away some of the solicitors too.