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Jehovah's Witness - You Knocked On My Door At What Time And Lived To Tell About It???

By
Real Estate Agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY

I'm a Realtor. I get up early even on the weekends. I got up at 7 and this is "sleeping in" for me.

At 8 a.m. my dog starts to bark so loud I jumped right off the chair. Then I hear a knock on my door. "Someone better be dead" I said to myself. I open the door and there are 2 Jehovah's Witness with 2 reading booklets. 

"Hi, my name is........" before they got to say their names, I told them that I'm a Realtor and she interupted me and pointed to my car that has my car magents. Yes, that's me but here is my point....

I try to get new business by door knocking. Do you have any idea what would be said or even done to me if I knocked on doors at 8 a.m.? I'd be drawn and quartered and that would be lucky!

They proceeded to hand me the booklets and I told them no thank you. I was trying to be polite. So much for that. She was trying to talk to me some more and I said no thank you and please leave our development and do not go to my neighbors. Again, she tried to talk to me and I said, "you know, Jesus would never knock on a door at 8 a.m. Why don't you follow suit" and then I closed the door.

I watched as they proceeded to leave to make sure they were not knocking on my neighbors doors.

As a Realtor, when I hear the word no from a homeowner, I say thank you for your time and I leave. No stall tactics ever. I can understand the word no. Why can't others do the same?

 

Comments(18)

Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ
8am? That is a little crazy. Luckily for me the few that come in my neighborhood are scared of my dog... Makes the "NO" a bit easier. And my dog is a sweet heart... not scary at all.
Jan 16, 2010 03:16 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Take it all in stride. They are spreading the word..at least not a telemarketer after 9pm on a Sunday did not call you. Just don't answer the door if the timing is wrong and you are not up and at 'em by 8am.

Jan 16, 2010 03:16 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Robert, Crazy is right. Too early. My dog may bark, but she is such a chicken, lol. 

Hi Andrew, It's always wise to answer the door. Could have been important. When my Father passed away I went straight to my brother's house at 6 a.m. You just never know.

Jan 16, 2010 03:35 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Jackie:  At least you aren't the only one whose home they come to.  I am not kidding at all when I tell you this.  For about three years, the Jehovah's Witnesses would drive to the end of our street, park in front of the house and knock on our door.  After, they would get into their car and leave, passing a street full of homes on the way out.  Do I have horns and a tail?

Jan 16, 2010 03:38 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

ROFL!!!! I have no problem about spreading the word, etc. but NOT at 8 a.m. That was funny Chris Ann! :)

Jan 16, 2010 03:42 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Jackie,

That is early in the morning. Many are very nice, it's too bad you ran into some that were a little too "pushy".

Brian

Jan 16, 2010 03:48 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

You were way nicer than most would have been --- I think in our neighborhood someone would have had them arrested.

Jan 16, 2010 03:49 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Brian, yes too early. Most are nice and they were just too pushy for my taste.

Hi Bob and Carolin, I did watch them to make sure they didn't go to my neighbors. We have some elderly neighbors and I wanted to make sure they weren't going to be pushed upon or else I would have called the police.

Jan 16, 2010 05:28 AM
Ruth Vogt
Fairway Independent Mortgage, LLS. Equal Housing Opportunity. Regulated by the Division of Real Estate. - Colorado Springs, CO
719-592-0855 www.ReverseLoansInColorado.com

I never thought of it that way, to be honest. Real estate agents would have never gotten away with that, no doubt. Interesting...

Jan 16, 2010 06:14 AM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

I think it is rude to come by someone's house (or even call) that early in the morning especially on the weekend, regardless of your reason.  Just because they think what they have to say is important doesn't mean I will.  Good for you for standing up to them.

Jan 16, 2010 06:24 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Ruth, I don't always get away with it at 12 p.m. let alone at 8 a.m.!

Hi Dr. Stacey-Ann, Thank you. It was just way too early. Good thing I wasn't sleeping, lol.

Jan 16, 2010 06:55 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Jackie, I have an issue with anyone that comes a knocking without being invited.  And I don't know many folks that would buy from or sign up with a stranger at the door.  (Except for Girl Scout Cookies!)

Jan 17, 2010 12:51 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Susan, Bring on the cookies! If a girl scout came to my door at 6 a.m., I'd still buy cookies! Gotta love the Girl and Boy Scouts! :)

Jan 17, 2010 12:57 AM
Joetta Fort
The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO
Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

I agree with Susan - I want my Girl Scout cookies, but if another roofer knocks on the door, claiming he can convince my insurance to give us a new roof when they've already said 'no' once, I'm going to have to put up a 'No Solicitating' sign. (Here in Colorado, impromptu roofing companies follow hail storms around.)

Jan 18, 2010 04:19 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Joetta, That is comparable to the blacktop guys that go around claiming the same thing. Anything to do a driveway. It's so unreal. Bring on the cookies! lol :)

Jan 18, 2010 04:28 AM
Wendy Rich-Soto, Realtor/Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, LA Harbor - San Pedro, CA
Getting you to your next with a zero failure rate!

Too early for sure!  I agree that you ask and then you respect the answer...

Feb 17, 2010 01:43 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Wendy, Absolutely! When I knock on doors or even cold call and someone says no, I don't push. Have a great day Wendy!

Feb 17, 2010 09:34 PM