Don't let doorstep salesmen in

In an increasingly competitive market, traders are using more aggressive and persuasive selling techniques. This has resulted to a rise in doorstep selling and problems arising from it.

Following recent consumer complaints and surveys, the RTB Consumer Unit advises householders, especially the elderly, to be on their guard against doorstep salesman.

The move follows a survey where consumers were asked their views and experiences about doorstep salesman. Almost 90 per cent of those surveyed said they didn't want doorstep sellers calling at their homes, and 25 per cent had had a bad experience with them over the past few years.

It also revealed that only a small number of consumers ever asked doorstep salesmen for any form of identification, and an even smaller number checked up on it.

RTB Consumer Unit has also received complaints from consumers saying that they are often misled or put under immense pressure to buy on the spot by some doorstep salesmen and they often stay far too long in consumers' homes.

Hence, consumers end up buying something either they don't really want, unsuitable or of no good value as to just to get rid of them. During the survey, the RTB consumer teams found out that the consumers are saying enough is enough; it is time to let doorstep sellers be.

One complainer said, "Doorstep salesmen seem to have this unerring expertise for picking on consumers...getting into consumers' psyche...persuading consumers to buy items that are not needed, or for which they are normally grossly over charged. It really is time we stop tolerating doorstep sellers and make it clear to them that calling door to door in the 21st Century is neither necessary nor acceptable."

Doorstep selling, where goods and services are sold face to face in a consumer's home, is used for a wide range of products and services, including home improvements, household products, slimming products, books, jewellery, clothing an so on.

Buying in your own home from someone you are not familiar with can be inherently dangerous. Handing over money to someone that you will never find again if things go wrong just doesn't make good sense. These problems are on the increase and householders must realise that the only real defence is simply to say no and shut the door.

"There is clearly a basic security issue which needs to be tackled. We have elderly residents being preyed upon by unscrupulous doorstep salesman offering services. There is not much that authorities concerned can do to stop these things because there is no law saying doorstep salesman is prohibited," remarked one of the complainers.

After all, if you really wanted the product or service, would you not have better yet gone out to buy it? If you are looking at something in a shop and you decide you are no longer interested, you can simply walk out but in your own home, you are trapped.

Doorstep salesmen are good at overstaying and have the mentality for not taking "no" for an answer. Be aware of some of the tricks that doorstep salesmen use to grab your attention, such as saying that you have won a competition, that they are carrying out market research, or that they are giving free gifts.

The best advice in dealing with doorstep salesmen is to be polite but firm. If you know you don't want something, say so and don't invite them in. If they do come in, don't give them a cup of coffee - they will take a very long time to drink it! Once you have decided you are not interested, don't wait for a convenient excuse, just ask the salesman to leave.

Even though a handful of people has experienced this kind of problem, there can be reluctance in reporting cases to the police. Remember: if a tradesperson knocks, just say no because good traders do not come to your door.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin