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NO SOLICITING!!

By Ken Tracy

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential

March 28, 2008 09:09 AM

So in a desperate effort to stay productive, I hung another 155 door hangers on one of my farm areas. I call it my Carrolwood Market Update. I put a little marketing of me above a chart of the active homes in the neighborhood. I think it's pretty nice. My wife creates it on Microsoft Publisher. Color. I think pretty effective, although this too takes time. Anyway...

As one might guess, I came across several NO SOLICITING! signs. I got a chill every door I came up to with such signs. I found them so unfriendly. Granted, I am a real estate agent doing a very soft sell, but...

I must imagine anyone walking up to this door would get an unwelcoming feeling, to say the least. What do you think?

I have seen some relatively humorous signs, hand written, computer print out,...

One individual actually had a "LEAVE" mat. I thought it was sort of funny, or really creepy, depending on his intent.

The only thing less welcoming than these NO SOLICITING signs would probably be the classic, and fortunately on the decline: BEWARE OF DOG!

I will keep you posted on any results.

Thanks for reading,

Ken

www.kensfeaturedhomes.com

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Jolynna McCune

Groome & Co. REALTORS - Memphis, TN

Affiliate Broker

Hi Ken,

That's pretty funny. :) Maybe I should get a "leave" mat... or maybe a "come back when I have my makeup on" mat. Or perhaps an "enter at your own risk" mat. I could think of so many that would be suitable for my doorstep. ha.

Seriously, I commend you on your farming efforts. I have not actually gotten out there and hit the streets but have wondered about how effective it is for agents who do. So you've had good results, eh?

Mar 28, 2008 09:20 AM

Michael Eisenberg

eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Real Estate Guy

I talked with my broker about leaving things on the door and she is totally against it.She said she had gotten several complaints when it was done by agents in our office before, what if people are on vacation and they don't want anyone just cruising by to know and there are flyers sitting on the door........................

Mar 28, 2008 09:31 AM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Keith. Probably a good point. I always seem to be getting in trouble!

Hi Chris. Very funny. I would have gotten away from that door quickly!

Hi Jolynna. It takes time. I believe if you have a strong personal presence in a neighborhood combined with consistent quality marketing, your business HAS to grow. I will write a post on that soon.:)

Ken

Mar 28, 2008 09:34 AM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Michael. I have gotten one complaint. I took him off my list. I will add some sort of opt out on my next one.

Ken

Mar 28, 2008 10:22 AM

Anonymous

Taylor

I think fliers & door hangers are just fine and they don't bother me. I have a no soliciting sign and a cover over the doorbell which both read "Baby Sleeping". I REALLY hate when solicitors ring the doorbell, make my dog bark and wake up the baby. It's not like I'm watching movies the whole time the baby is asleep. I'm doing household chores, like loading the dishwasher as fast as I can because when he's awake, he's trying to pull knives out of the dishwasher silverware basket or chewing on the iron cord....

So if you see a no soliciting sign, toys strewn across the house or anything else that mildly HINTS there could be a baby/toddler napping inside, don't knock or ring! We'll either vent every ounce of our frustration on you or admit the truth that we're going broke buying diapers and specialty formula and can't afford to do or buy anything!

Back to the door hangers. Of the THREE door-to-door marketing activities that HAVE worked for me (out of the thousands I have been subjected to) all have been door hangers with info or coupons I ended up using.

Apr 04, 2008 04:22 PM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Taylor. Thanks so much for commenting.

I haven't door knocked in about a year. I did not knock on signs that said no soliciting.

I love my door hangers. My wife makes them. They are great.

Thanks again,

Ken

Apr 04, 2008 04:29 PM

Lindsey Hasford

Edina Realty - Elk River, MN

Bringing you home...

Okay, that's crazy! I've never seen those signs... Then again - when I lived in town I never had sales people to my DOOR, but now that I'm out in the boondocks I get door salesmen at least once a month. That in itself is weird. Good luck!!!!

Apr 05, 2008 03:31 PM

Lindsey Hasford

Edina Realty - Elk River, MN

Bringing you home...

Apr 05, 2008 03:32 PM

Anonymous

Michelle Metzger

I just had the same thing happen to me. There was no signs in the neighborhood but a man came out and told me I can't do that. I guess its part of the business. This is my 2nd time..

Apr 23, 2008 04:44 AM

#11

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Lindsey and Michelle. Thanks for reading and commenting on an old post. Good to know they are still being read.

Ken

Apr 23, 2008 04:48 AM

Tammy O'Brien

Century 21 Baytree - Melbourne, FL

I just found out (from our local PD) that you can be arrested by going door to door in a community that has a "no solicitation" sign posted at the entrance or posted at a residence. ARRESTED!!!!!! WOW! Glad I asked before I ventured out!

Oct 22, 2008 05:42 AM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Tammy. Don't stop marketing. Just don't solicit those residences.

Thanks for reading,

Ken

Oct 23, 2008 01:33 AM

Anonymous

Anna

We get lots of real estate agents soliciting here in San Diego by the beach and it use to drive me crazy with all the paper waste and junk they would leave at my door and even put in my water fountain!! But now they leave note pads and sometimes a pen with it so now I have something to write on and I don't have to buy paper but I will never ever use their service so keep that in mind when you solicit houses.

May 10, 2009 09:28 AM

#15

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Anna. Thanks for reading.

And thanks for your thoughts.

I hope all is well in San Diego. (I lived in La Mesa for about 6 months)

Ken

May 11, 2009 02:02 AM

Anonymous

Jay

I have a small "No Soliciting / No Hand Bills" sign just next to my door bell. My home is my private residence, and unless you are an invited guest you are not welcome. If you feel 'unwelcome' when you see one of these signs, it's because you are not welcome. I work from home and don't want to be interrupted. I can't think of a single reason I would want to speak to anyone selling or marketing a product of service. If I need something from you, I'll seek you out. If you want to send me something, mail it to me. That's why we have mail boxes - to accept the junk mail. There is never, ever any excuse for you to interrupt me while working, to interrupt a meal, to interrupt the time I spend with my family....never. It's an invasion of privacy. Hanging flyers on the door, taping them to the window....I consider this littering. Most of this junk just blows into the yard or street. Again, that's why we have mail boxes....to collect the junk mail.

Nov 24, 2009 05:00 AM

#17

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Wow Jay. I can't imagine feeling so passionate about this.

An invasion of privacy? Are you serious?

I think most of the people receiving my flyers like the information...

Thanks for stopping in,

Ken

Nov 24, 2009 05:09 AM

Anonymous

Anthony

I do door to door every day and not affraid of no soliciting signs. They are the ones that buy once you get past the door.

Jun 11, 2010 02:05 PM

#19

Anonymous

Heath Kopp

I ran across this during a google search for no soliciting signs, because I am so against being bothered at home as well. I work from my home office and agree 100% with Jay - do not leave paper, flyers, hangers, etc at my house..I too feel as it is a sort of littering. I do not care what wares you are peddling, do it like other respected businesses do with a store front and pay for advertising on tv or radio...even internet. Dont come to my home...its my sanctuary where I spend time with my family...why do people like you feel its ok to bother others while they are home??? Doesnt matter what you have to say...I havent lost my God, sorry you lost yours....just leave people alone. Its just more junk for the landfill and litter blowing around. Most people have a job...does everyone go door to door to increase their sales or productivity? NOOO...so then why is it ok for you to? People that dont pay attention to my No Soliciting signs receive nasty calls to their employer, the BBB (if they are even listed with them), and the Attorney Generals office. LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE AT THEIR HOMES!!! Yes...I too am serious.

Apr 20, 2011 07:55 AM

#20

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Anthony and Heath. Thanks for stopping by.

Heath, you sound like a very happy man...

Who says what respected businesses do? You? A storefront? Paid advertising? People are just trying to make a living?

I have lost my God? Sad perspective of the world...

Thanks again,

Ken

Apr 21, 2011 07:38 AM

Anonymous

Patrick

I will be honest,as an ex-salesperson,any good salesperson knows that the truly successful ones ,by necessity,rely on the average person's inherent politeness which allows us to keep pushing after the initial "no". I have been trained in "Zig Ziglar" methods as well as many others,let's be honest,you can come across as kind and polite as you want,it is still basically rude.
I was very good at sales because I have (apparently) a very "sincere" way about me,and I am NEVER at a loss for words,you can't stump me. However,I actually do have a consience,and couldn't continue to make my living off of being "aggressive",which is a code word for "pushy",which is another way of saying "RUDE". Americans love to buy,but they hate to be sold.
Jay is absolutely correct. I assume he is passionate because he believes strongly in what he says.I am sure you are a nice person,Ken,but,you have chosen to pursue your income in a field that relies heavily on "aggressive selling".When you choose to go door to door ,and then say you still went to doors with no soliciting signs and found them unfriendly,well,DUH! You have admittedly ignored this person's very clear,written and posted,express wish that you do not bother them.You are surprised at "unfriendliness" or an "unwelcome" feeling when you have plowed ahead ,despite being clearly requested not to?You may justify it as a "soft sell" all you want,I am a renter,you would think this statement alone should end a conversation with a real estate agent,but noooo,they want me to pass their info along to the owner.HAHA! Yeah,OK! Let me get the owner interested in selling the home I am renting so I will be forced to move! Great idea!
I have seen other posts concerning no soliciting signs and am always bothered by the responses of "When I was a salesman we ignored those signs,or saw them as a challenge"well,guess what? I have one of those signs,and when it is ignored I open the door saying "I am not interested"as invariably that is not enough,when they start their pitch,ignoring my wishes,I go straight to very rude ,perhaps even dropping some very foul words,the way I see it,you have chosen to ignore my polite requests,not once,but twice already,and you drew first blood!
You see it as "hey,I'm just trying to make a living"yet,that is no justification.You chose to make a career in sales,now you can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to take the time to just listen to your soft sell and every other Tom,Dick,and Harry that comes after you?
No Soliciting signs should be heeded,and when you choose to ignore them,you just prove the stereotype that all salespeople are rude and pushy.Thank you for your time ,Ken.
Patrick

Mar 16, 2012 04:43 AM

#22