Does door to door religion sales ever work? I just got one a minute ago

I think she was Mormon; as I understand it they have to do this for a couple of years as part of their religion. Does anyone ever fling open their door and exclaim "THANK THE LORD JESUS CHRIST YOU'RE HERE I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU"

That's an exceedingly good question.

One has to think it DOES work, otherwise why do they continue to do it?

Doesn't work on me, though.

I was under the impression they have to, but I really don't know. I think I'm gonna be a door to door Wiccan and show up at people's houses with candles and incense.

*SNORT!*

Good luck to you!

I'll be sure to stop by your funeral next weekend ;)

Spiro - I am in desperate need of some candles as mine are about out.. Do you have the hazelnut fragrance?  I am Christian but, I really need the candles.  BTW - I will light one for your soul after you leave.... (I know you hate "Lol" so I will just say I am joking about the Soul thing)

HAA sprio! i really wonder how many people they actually convert. sadly, i think they prey on people who are just lonely and dying for company.

*edited to remove LOL after learning of spiro's dislike of it

Who has any good strategies for dealing with these people...I feel so awkward just telling them to leave because their so persistant, they don't take NO for an answer! What's they best way to get them to want to never come back?

My best strategies are to be polite, trx. Continue to tell them no, politely. If necessary, close the door, walk away.

Tell them you are a Jehovas Witness (keep pamphlets handy in the event that you need to hand them one) or a Southern Baptist and ask "What Church to you Attend" - if they know what is good for them,,, they will run!  I am a Southern Baptist by the way so I know how intimidating they can be when it comes to talking about their own religion. 

edited to add:  I found this out as I don't turn religious people away because I know that sometimes it their obligation to God.  I invite them for a drink or snack and we depending on if I have time, I will talk with them until they get tired and leave!

This lady was very polite. As soon as I saw her Jesus crap I said "no, thank you" and she said "oh ok. Have a nice day" and wandered off.

If I had one that wouldn't leave, I'd make sure they ran off screaming. I have my ways.

spiro - that made me laugh... LoL I hate those too!  Please dont bother me at home!  :)

ok, jumping into the lion's den - so to speak! My son is one of those going door to door. Yes, we're members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is not something required to do, but strongly encouraged. They traditionally go at 19, he is 20. He is desperately trying to not be the typical missionary, but still go by all the rules (yes, they definitely have rules). He just wants to talk to people, get to know them, and tell them that Jesus died for us and that families can be together forever. If they're interested, great, if not, great for letting him know one more person in this world. He's actually had some good experiences just talking to people. You're going to have as many different missionaries as there are different people. Some are more persistent, some are so exceptionally shy they are scared of their shadow. A lot of them are just young men away from home for the first time (not my son, but most) and appreciate any smile that comes their way, even if it is with a "No" behind it. They are not just out there to convert, but they do a LOT of service, too. In fact, I think that's my son's favorite part is the actual getting dirty kind of service.

They do have to do that as part of their mission. I am good friends with several mormons.

A friend of mine is a minister and he LOVES it when they come by. He calls them in and serves them cold drinks and snacks and trys to convert THEM! It's so funny!

EDIT - sorry, they don't HAVE to do it but they are asked to and most agree to do it to spread their faith

jill, thank you for the information! I can respect that folks feel that strongly about their faith, but to me the door to door thing is just odd. But hey, to each his own. As long as people aren't rude, it ain't no thang

it is part of hteir mission, but women are not required to go on a mission. they know that rejection is a big part of it, but they are out to share the gospel they know and love and they want others to hear their message.

if you are just polite to them and say you aren't interested they will leave you alone. i don't know why some people feel it necessary to be rude and hateful towards them. when jehovah's witnesses would coem up to me, i would lethtem read me the scripture they wanted and i would take their literature and go on my way so that they didn't feel like they were out there for nothing.

One more thing, they don't just do door-to-door. They actually only do that when they don't have anything else lined up. They really hate knocking on doors, too. But they do it and get through it. They would rather meet people other ways. My son's companion is Hawaiian and plays the ukuele. He told me how they sit in a park while his companion plays hymns and that has really helped meeting people. (This son of mine is borderline flower child and I can totally see him doing this) I also have an 18-year-old who is gone for the summer selling pesticides door-to-door. He's hating it, but learning how to work with people - every type.

why?

you think I shouldn't have just agreed to attend the pastafarian church?

they seemed so friendly!

;D

Spiro,

I don't think people who "minister" door to door expect an immediate conversion.  There's a particular Jehova's Witness lady that used to come to my door about every 3-4 weeks.  She was quite nice, handed me literature (still have it - they're quite fascinating), said what she wanted to say for only a few minutes and then left.  I think at some point she was intending on pressing the coming to her church, or trying to detect my intent interest so she could attempt something more overt, but last year my subdivision put up "no soliciting" signs, so she hasn't come back since.

Some nice young LDS guys came to my door and tried to get me to pray with them.  When I explained my beliefs, they gave me the Book of Mormon with passages marked and said that if I wanted to inquire, please read the marked passages.  They said they would come back to discuss them, but the no soliciting sign probably warded them off.

The only time it got irritating is when they would come in the middle of winter and make me stand there in the doorframe freezing (I wasn't about to invite them in), so I poliltely said I didn't have the time, and they left very politely. 

Well, I'm not sure I want them reading scripture at me, but I do think it doesn't hurt to be polite. Even if it's a polite "Thank you, but not interested."

I don't know, I live in germany and when they come here I just speak English, this is my tactic for all people i don't want to talk to, tends to scare everybody! don't know how possible this is for you, (speaking a foreign language I mean) but it definately works!!!!

jane3001 - LOL, but just a warning, it might not always work. My son's best friend is in Germany right now, and I'm guessing he's not speaking much Deutsch at this time because he's only been there for 2 months! If their name says something like Jenkins or McDermott (my son's friends name) - just a warning, they probably do speak English!

I've had Jehovah Witnesses at my door and I actually enjoy speaking to them.

And door-to-door does work, just not very often. That's why they do it.