Welcome to 3AW. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content.

3AW - Fairfax Radio Network

Thursday May 24, 2012

What we're talking about

Door-to-door 'pest' crackdown

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 28 November, 2011 - 8:42 AM
Australian have had enough of door-knockers

Pushy door-to-door sales people could be charged with trespassing under new, tougher laws.

The Consumer Action Law Centre wants so called 'sales pests' who ignore 'do not knock' signs to be charged and fined.

There's been an increase in complaints about sellers pushing deals on a range of products and services, including electricity and gas.

Gerard Brody from the Centre says home-owners are fed-up.

PLAY: Ross and John take a look into the knockers issue

Share

Breakfast with Ross and John

Ross and John Ross Stevenson and John Burns entertain listeners with their razor sharp wit and oddball humour every morning. And every day the best segments of their on-air - and sometimes off-air - program are published on 3AW.com.au.

Blog comments Your Say

  • I think the worst are the roof paint people, come in telling you the sky is falling, then drop bombs with the price. I sign the deal just to get them out, only to call and cancel during the cooling off period.
    Ban them all. If I want something, I go out and get it, don't come to me

    Mark Monday 28 November, 2011 - 9:55 PM

  • Amazingly, 30 minutes ago I heard a knock on my door. A young man who denied being a salesman, but wanted me to change my power and gas accounts to his company. I pointed out my "do not knock" sign, which was straight in line with his eyes and nicely suggested he went away (well, maybe not so nicely). He did. It occurs to me though, that with that sort of mentality; a "do not knock" sign may only result in them ringing the bell!!

    David Monday 28 November, 2011 - 3:44 PM

  • I understand that these people are only trying to earn a living. They are usually students who need some income and jobs are not too easy to find.
    I don't support them when they turn nasty. So far I havne't had any rude door knockers but they can be persistant. I tell them that I won't conduct business at the door no matter how much I can save.
    Yes, they are annoying but just spare a thought that they are someone's sons an daughters trying to find work, any work. Better than breaking into your homes.

    Peggy Monday 28 November, 2011 - 12:55 PM

  • I had an electricity salesman call me a "F $#@*&) idiot" because i did not want to change over to save 3 cents a KW. I explained i was on solar and had not had a bill for 10 months. He continued to scream at me in the street for 30 minutes. Neighbours came out, it was very intimidating. He also harassed one of my elderly neighbours in a similar way. When i called in on her she would not answer the door as she thought it was him returning. She was quite frightened.

    Belinda Monday 28 November, 2011 - 11:34 AM

  • Told one the other day that I would give him a head start before I let the dogs off and to play dead when the dogs catch up to minimise the damage. Haven't seen him since.

    Reg of Dandenong Monday 28 November, 2011 - 9:41 AM

  • I have a do not knock sticker prominently displayed,however the odd intellectual pygmy,after interrupting my quiet enjoyment,tells me they didn't see it,to which I reply with a two word farewell,the second one being off.

    jgl Melb Monday 28 November, 2011 - 9:38 AM

Post a comment * Mandatory fields