Door knocking -Soliciting

[treevet]

Illegal in every upscale neighborhood in the greater Cincinnati area.

Wonder why that is?

 

[outofmytree]

Illegal in every upscale neighborhood in the greater Cincinnati area.

Wonder why that is?

Notes in mail boxes still ok? I ask because we get a good response from dropping leaflets or even hand written notes in mailboxes when we are working a good sized job in the street.

I used to cold call but then discovered that it is in breach of the fair trading act in Australia so now its leaflets or a chat with walk ups but no door knocking.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Notes in mail boxes still ok? I ask because we get a good response from dropping leaflets or even hand written notes in mailboxes when we are working a good sized job in the street.

In the US it violates postal code and we can be fined for it. I've gotten threats from carriers, but never heard of a fine levied.

 

[ArborSmithNw]

Illegal in every upscale neighborhood in the greater Cincinnati area.

Wonder why that is?

Not sure, seems kind of weird that a law would apply to just upscale neighborhoods though.

Wonder what the prosecution rate is?

 

[treevet]

The reason is upscale neighborhoods (meaning municipalities) have their own individual governments just like depressed municipalities do. The door knocker will target these upscale neighborhoods and drive them nuts and sometimes commit other crimes. Nothing (relatively) to steal or sell from/to in the depressed municipalities hence less ordinance nec.

Outofmytree, in our town to pass out literature about your business you have to have it presented and reviewed and if approved....guess what....you have to pay a permit fee to hang them on doors. Like JPS said ....no mailbox fillers are legal as the mailbox is technically Fed govt. property even tho you buy it.

 

[treevet]

I used to cold call but then discovered that it is in

!!!!!!!!!! BREACH OF THE FAIR TRADING !!!!!!!!!!!!

act in Australia so now its leaflets or a chat with walk ups but no door knocking.

Arborsmith,
This another good description of the door knocking process. Just like monopolies. Now an entire nation is in opposition to your asserted beneficial work gathering process.

If a law is in effect in a neighborhood do you ignore it? ("wonder what the prosecution rate is")

 

[outofmytree]

Oops. I made a mistake. It is the door to door trading act NOT the fair trading act. My bad.

http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/ConsumerProtection/Content/Shopping/For_consumers/Door_to_door_sales.html

The most pertinent parts of the act to us are;

The major benefit of the Door to Door Trading Act 1987 is that it gives you a 10-day cooling-off period on goods or services worth more than $50. This means you can cancel the contract during this time with no penalty.

So if you offer to do the work on the spot the client is legally allowed to change their mind up to 10 days later. Got any super glue guys?

 

[Buckettruckbabe]

We have something similar in Illinois, only it's 3-days to cancel a written
contract.

For those businesses that want to use the door to door/knocker approach, the BBB guidelines prepare you with what you should have to separate you from the illegitimate businesses and scam artists.

(This comes from the Denver, CO BBB)

http://denver.bbb.org/article/tree-services-3824

 

[Toddppm]

The 3 day rule applies here too if you didn't initiate the sales call. That's why the doorknockers trucks are slowly cruising along ready to pounce if a sucke.... er sale is made.

I have to admit though, I sometimes get a little jealous when these guys are working almost every day if they want. But a whole lot of them are practically working for free with the lowball rates they charge except for the occasional overpriced bid they might hit on with an unsuspecting customer.

Always amazes me that anybody falls for the sales pitch- We are just in the neighborhood trying to get a couple jobs before we head back home.
OK Sure, I had hired XYZ Tree Co. already and signed a contract but what would you charge me for this job????? No consideration if the gypsies really have ins., licensed or have a clue what they are doing but a lower price will throw all common sense out the window for some people:monkey:

 

[Buckettruckbabe]

I think for all of the legit tree service/arborists out there, it's going to be a matter of educating john q. public. Of course they'll be money motivated for a cheap deal until one of the transients gets killed on their property, drops a tree on their house or worse...:jawdrop:

I'm amazed that when we got hit last summer with 90 mph straight line winds we didn't have them cruising our neighborhood...there was a lot of damage. Hubby called his tree guy asap for the big stuff that was still treebound or sheared while we cleared the ground. (We sport two 75' cottonwoods on our sideyard.)

Watching them work was amazing.

 

[treevet]

It should probably be clarified that we are looking at 2 totally different areas of expertise here.

One is the tree removal, limb removal, debris removal company. They are sometimes referred to as "tree garbage" companies.

The other is the tree care, maintenance, monitoring and diagnosis and treatment company.

The top level companies should be both but many are one or the other or neither.

 

[Buckettruckbabe]

Absolutely Treevet, sorry if I wasn't clear. I do know the difference between the two, and you're right. In a perfect world both skills in one service would be ideal.

Don't worry, I'm not letting anyone top out my maples.
Hubby's tree guys aren't arborists. I still like watching all the ropework though, regardless.

 

[treevet]

Absolutely Treevet, sorry if I wasn't clear. I do know the difference between the two, and you're right. In a perfect world both skills in one service would be ideal.

Don't worry, I'm not letting anyone top out my maples.
Hubby's tree guys aren't arborists. I still like watching all the ropework though, regardless.

I understand completely, believe me.

 

[mckeetree]

Not sure, seems kind of weird that a law would apply to just upscale neighborhoods though.

Wonder what the prosecution rate is?

Higher than you think.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Illegal in every upscale neighborhood in the greater Cincinnati area.

Wonder why that is?

Not sure, seems kind of weird that a law would apply to just upscale neighborhoods though.

Wonder what the prosecution rate is?

Higher than you think.

It depends on the complaint rate. It is a form of trespass in some areas, in mine peddling is a licensed trade. If it is a very high rent district they haul you off very fast.

One reason is that there is a high percentage of people going door-to-door under false pretense.

This is off the Berkley PD website

Berkeley Municipal Codes related to door to door solicitation - the full text of these codes may be reviewed via the Police or City web sites or at the City Clerks office.

Solicitors must have a solicitor/vendor permit in their immediate possession and show it on demand - BMC 9.40.140 - sample attached below.

Hours for door to door solicitation - 0800am to 700pm, seven days a week - BMC 9.40.180

Unlawful to enter any property that is posted No Soliciting, No Peddling, No Agents or other similar verbiage - BMC 9.40.170. This does not include religious organizations or groups.

Soliciting defined - sell, take orders, offer to sell, offer to take orders for merchandise, wares, goods or anything - 9.40.010

Town of Yarmoth

§ 114-9. Penalties.



A. Each violation of any provision of this By-Law shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Three Hundred ($300) Dollars.



B. Upon the occurrence of a second violation of this By-Law by any sales person, the issuing authority may revoke that sales person’s Town of Yarmouth Door to Door Sales Permit.

 

[VL07]

Just had Orkin pest control knock on my door offering me 50% off. He had a door hanger ready to put on my door. Looked out in the street, and there was a three man team moving through my Nhood. Orkin is a big company...are they hacks? NO! This is something I may start doing soon too.

 

[mckeetree]

Just had Orkin pest control knock on my door offering me 50% off. He had a door hanger ready to put on my door. Looked out in the street, and there was a three man team moving through my Nhood. Orkin is a big company...are they hacks? NO! This is something I may start doing soon too.

I just called Orkin and they assured me they DO NOT go door to door soliciting and if someone representing Orkin is doing so, that is grounds for disassociation with the company.

 

[VL07]

Sorry man, orkin uniform, orkin truck, Orkin all the way. Orkin door hangers too.

 

[mckeetree]

Sorry man, orkin uniform, orkin truck, Orkin all the way. Orkin door hangers too.

Look man, Orkin had over 15,000 consumer complaints in Florida over a four year period and numerous lawsuits in that state, and yes, some of those had to do with soliciting...... BUT, their company policy is not to go door to door. I got that info right from the horses mouth. Also if their associates are caught going door to door leaving "cold call" advertising they say they fire them. The exact words of their rep was " I can't guarantee you there are not techs going door to door in Florida or any where else for that matter. We have had it happen. I can guarantee you it is not our policy to do so." So that is the way it stacks up cat.

 

[outonalimbts]

When I got started I would knock on many doors-

I went door to door to nice homes, offering my services- No big deal, do an honest days work for an honest days pay- People respect this work ethic, I am in my 18th year of business, I still do door to door sales at times...

I have a solicitors license, which I didn't back in the day- To get a solicitors license I had to submit myself to a background check, a full check that I paid for, pictures, fingerprints etc. I must wear my license in plain view, and surrender it to anyone that asks to see it.

I have had the police called on me, I present my license and they say have a nice day. I have an A+ rating with the BBB with zero complaints since I joined in 2003, I have won Angie's list super service award two years in a row.

I don't have any problem with door knocking- it is a good way to meet people!

But, I also use as many tools as possible, I advertise on Craigslist, I am a favorite place on Google maps, I post pictures of my work on Google Earth, I have advertisements running all of the time. At the grocery store I am in my professional wear- with logos and numbers- I hand out a box of cards a month.

I post flyers when we work in a neighborhood- Each flyer is custom made with printed dates that I am working in the neighborhood, I never give out any personal info about the project I am doing, if they want to watch I welcome it. I have coupons on each flyer, offering either Free Arborist consultations or other business incentives- such as multiple tree discounts, etc.

There is nothing wrong with marketing, I don't compare my services with others- I point to articles that have been written about my company in major news outlets. I sometimes bring our DVD with our TV interviews, and work samples. When our clients choose us, they are happy they did.

Finally, I have many, many clients that have been clients since the beginning when all I did was knock doors, these people constantly give great referrals.

Keep up the good work, don't be too discouraged when people say no, leave your card and say thank you for your time.

Smile when you answer your telephone-

:chainsawguy: