[Ian Lancaster]

This is where a leaflet drop first comes in handy.  As they open the door you say "Hello, my name is ........... and I put one of these through your door a couple of days ago" and show them the leaflet.  It's still technically cold calling, but at least if you have a uniform with your name/logo on it and your leaflet also has your name/logo you've got a sort of 'prior introduction'.

As for those yellow 'no caller' stickers, I always knock, then when they open the door I say: "I'm sorry, I knocked before I noticed your sticker, then it seemed rude to just walk away without explaining."  Gets them every time, they just say: "Oh, that's alright!"

[Nathanael Jones]

Maybe I'm just getting grumpy now I'm past 30, but I have to say that cold callers really annoy me,.. and I'm not in a "No cold calling" zone, & I don't have a sticker on the door.

If I was in a zone or did have a sticker and someone still had the cheek to knock,.. I'd call the old bill and report a "suspicious character who is looking in windows/back gardens, obviously sizing up the place for a burglary" etc etc.

If the sticker is on the door I just post a flyer and move on,.. its just good manners.

[Rogue Trader]

if you dont knock you dont get the business !! Very few people respond with leaflets, i have leafleted an area before - got no calls then knocked a few months later and was welcomed by a number of houses with open arms and being told that we cant get a window cleaner round here for love nor money .....the moral of the story is KNOCK!!!!! ...... If you are interested in having good manners and dont want to disturb people!?! then dont knock , if you are interested in having loads of customers then ...... KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

[gary999]

i have loads of custys and i dont knock.

i just prefer to treat people and there property
with a bit of respect

[wizard]

Stan if your dog took a piece out a door knocker with out a warning you will find yourself in the chair. I worked for an estate agent before and a fellow knocked on a door, did not get an answer so dropped a leaflet through the letter box. One of those with a brush on both sides, the dog bit him and the owner had to pay damages

[wizard]

Even with a worning I would like to know what law I would be braking if I knock on the door. Folk should be a little understanding one is trying to offer them a service and earn a honest living.

[mark dew]

Maybe I'm just getting grumpy now I'm past 30, but I have to say that cold callers really annoy me,.. and I'm not in a "No cold calling" zone, & I don't have a sticker on the door.

If I was in a zone or did have a sticker and someone still had the cheek to knock,.. I'd call the old bill and report a "suspicious character who is looking in windows/back gardens, obviously sizing up the place for a burglary" etc etc.

If the sticker is on the door I just post a flyer and move on,.. its just good manners.

Same here.
Though i'm pleasant when the milkman canvasses. And other window cleaners. Most others get a quick no thanks as the door is closing.

[Nathanael Jones]

Folk should be a little understanding one is trying to offer them a service and earn a honest living.

You should be more understanding that I don't want to buy on the doorstep. If I want a window cleaner I'll google  one!

[Niall McAllister]

If you have something worth telling  people about, don't worry about signs

[Niall McAllister]

Guys, it all boils down to how much you want to grow your business, i knock on every single door whether its in a no cold call zone or has a sticker, you get the odd person saying something but i just apologise and move on. I know for a fact I booked several people today who had stickers.....

 whats the worst that could happen??

they come out with no clothes on and stick a needle in your neck. when you come round 2 hrs later you are tied to a chair smelling of honey and covered with red fire ants.
then you are told you shouldn't have killed off the main character

too much

[Niall McAllister]

never watch horror movies

[Window Washers]

never watch horror movies

you either watch to many or clearly need to see a doctor to get sectioned 

[andyjm1]

I've got loads of customers with stickers on their doors, guess how I got them?
Cold calling.

[Murdie window cleaning]

Ok, it seems to be the popular Consensus to knock regardless.

Thanks guys, I've set myself a target of 50 new customers through November, hopefully that's achievable 

[GB Window Cleaning]

i got a new customer last week with a "no cold calling sticker" just have thick skin and luagh off any abuse!

[Sean Dyer]

this topic is always going to divide opinion, but knocking imo is best

if you dont like it leaflet but if im out walking around anyway id rather come away with results than put in the leg work posting and then cross fingers and wait for the phone to ring

[Window Washers]

just gave my kids a load of leaflets and 20% off per clean to go trick or treating with, I live in a no cold calling zone so can cover two things at a time  .
is it wrong to teach kids to do door knocking for you at least they show willing:-\

[leapstallbuildings]

these no call zones have no legal standing at the moment.
if you knock the door and get a grump, just tell them you cant read and that's why you are only a window cleaner.

Just tell em to get a life and knock next dorr
also as they get to door, say sorry not selling anything, just wondered if you have a wc ?

They'll probably think you're trying to get in to borrow their toilet.

[Murdie window cleaning]

just gave my kids a load of leaflets and 20% off per clean to go trick or treating with, I live in a no cold calling zone so can cover two things at a time  .
is it wrong to teach kids to do door knocking for you at least they show willing:-\

I like it, mine are getting dressed up now to go out so they are getting a bundle of leaflets to take with them, and any kid that knocks the door could get a leaflet and a few sweets dropped into there bag 

[ftp]

just gave my kids a load of leaflets and 20% off per clean to go trick or treating with, I live in a no cold calling zone so can cover two things at a time  .
is it wrong to teach kids to do door knocking for you at least they show willing:-\

That's different, most kids round our way throw eggs at the property if they don't get treated. I've never known the punishment to be having your windows washed