At Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, we have been discussing the upsides and downsides of doorknocking. Remember the old “Fuller Brush Man”? Once telemarketers figured out the phone was more efficient than going door to door, “door knocking” became less common. Then the “do not call” list limited a company’s ability to solicit over the phone (even though I know that some still do). There is no “do not door knock” list, so many sales people, including real estate agents, use door knocking as a way to meet potential new clients. In discussing door knocking with our brokerage’s leadership, I have remained neutral. If some agents want to do it, I don’t care.
Then, last night at about 7:15, there was a knock on my door. I had just finished helping my kids with homework, cooking dinner, washing dishes, completing work assignments that required follow through and was just about ready to go upstairs to relax. The doorbell rang and my dog went nuts (which is a good thing). An attractive lady was at the door with an official looking tag around her neck. She represented Utah Blue Skies, which is a green program in our area. It was the end of a long day and the last thing I wanted to talk about was energy with a total stranger. Because I have door knocked, I wanted to be nice to her. But she persisted! She was selling the Blue Sky program and she was not going to leave until we talked about it. I had to finally thank her for her time but tell her I wasn’t interested and I shut the door.
After this experience, I am thinking door knocking is as bad as the solicitation calls we receive right at dinner time. It is an intrusion into the privacy of my home. While I am sympathetic to all people who are selling something to make a living, I prefer a less intrusive and friendlier way to be contacted. How about you??