Sick and tired of doorstep traders (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Sick and tired of doorstep traders

11:50am Tuesday 28th August 2007 in Letters

Sir.-I write regarding a story in The Basingstoke Extra on August 15 about the campaign to target crime on the doorstep.

I am sick and tired of cold callers at the door. It always makes me feel a bit uneasy in case they are "casing the joint".

Elderly or infirm people must also feel on edge, especially if it takes ages for them to reach the door, and then the caller will not take "no" for an answer.

I have a notice on the door, obtained from the police, stating that we do not buy goods and services at the door, but perhaps they can't read as I still get unwelcome callers.

If I want block paving, double glazing etc, I will go to a bona fide company and get a quote. I do not want to deal with some "wannabe" who is wasting my time.

Recently I was in Woburn, Bedfordshire, and noticed street signs saying "This is a no cold calling area". I have done some research and found out that it is possible to set up these areas, similar to Neighbourhood Watch.

What do other people think?

A national Trading Standards Institute survey, involving feedback from 9,000 randomly selected households, showed that nationally 96 per cent of people did not want doorstep cold callers and nobody actually welcomed them.

There are currently 427 "no cold calling zones" nationally and many more planned.

-Name and address withheld