A stranger came to the door earlier and the wife answered it since I couldn't stand up (I'm having BP issues). He never really said what he wanted but was supposedly from another country (my wife did say he had a foreign accent) and was wanting to come inside to talk to the family about "education"! She kept asking if he was selling something as she wasn't interested, and he kept on talking. By that time I was right behind her with my Sig P225 in hand if needed, but I told her to just close the door on him, and he decided to leave.

I don't really like displaying weaponry to strangers, but have had to do it one time before to a gutter installation crew that showed up here, and were obviously at the wrong house. They didn't want to take "no" for an answer either, but showing them I had a pistol in my hand did the trick!

Today's incident has FINALLY (I think) convinced her to lock the door at all times, no matter whether you're sitting by it or not! Heck, I even lock it when I'm out mowing grass as the front door is only visible to me about a third of the time when cutting! I also have a 9mm in my waistband when on the mower, so there's that... Paranoid??? Nah, just extremely cautious these days!

My Wife won't answer the door (unless she knows it's the kids from next door).

I may answer it, but I'm armed.

It’s a different era now, there’s no reason to be unannounced at a door if you belong to be at a door.

If someone knocks on my door unannounced it needs to be the delivery guy or an emergency.

Doorbell camera - I don't get up and don't care if I'm home.

I always know who is there.

What country did he say he was from? Or if he didn't, was he Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, Jamaican, etc?

quote:

Originally posted by slyguy:
Doorbell camera - I don't get up and don't care if I'm home.

I always know who is there.

Yep, I'm going to buy one soon, but wanted to shop for something that didn't require a subscription like Ring does. Found several suitable units on Amazon that will do the job; just gotta wait on the money to become available!

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
What country did he say he was from? Or if he didn't, was he Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, Jamaican, etc?

I asked her that and she stated that he didn't say. She couldn't identify the accent, and from what I saw of him through the window, he was definitely not hispanic or middle eastern; a fairly white guy with short-cut blonde hair.

A Sig 239 357Sig has been at my front door companion for years. On one occasion a "homeless" man came to my door with a screw driver and put it at the door lock. He quickly could see the 239 inches from his face, in a flash he left our porch.

There are reports of 3 men going house to house here, casing properties for future robbery. At least that's the skuttlebutt.

IF you are expecting someone ok, but not, get a ring doorbell or similar to use to answer and view who's there.

I had a guy about two years ago get aggressive about the pest control services he was trying to sell, and when I started to close the door on him, he put a hand on the door to prevent me. I looked him square in the eye and flatly said "that's a really bad idea" and he let go. Fantastic way to get shot, and yes, had he pushed any more than he did, he was going to catch some through the door.

Since then, if it's someone I don't know, I don't open the door. I don't care. They can all piss up a rope. I do come to the door armed and have a look-see through the blinds so they know there's an occupant who had a look at them, but that's all they get. These days, I don't have a good excuse to not have a doorbell cam setup, so I'll simply say this is a reminder to get after it.

My driveway is 100 yards, from the road, to my house. (horseshoe)
It's 65ft from my front door to the walkway of my driveway.

My office/sitting area is direct front view, as is my bedroom and living room.

I am armed.
My cat is armed.
My cat knows I am the only one who can access his treats.

So, I can see almost anyone before they get to the door.

No one I know ever comes unannounced.

Anyone that has ever solicited has always left, when asked, with no issues.
(if I choose to answer the door)

And no HOA.

I own it.

Lock your car
Lock your home
-wether you are in it or not

Your car is not a holster
Don’t leave stuff in the car

I have a ring doorbell and don’t answer the door unless it’s someone I know.

I caught the bug salesgirl in the driveway a few weeks ago because I was in the garage. I told her I DIY she was polite and asked about neighbors-I told her we all hate the door knockers for any reason besides the girls selling thin mints-she laughed and went on her way.

Two years ago maybe, I had a guy try and sell me bug service and when I told him I DIY, he began again. When I told him “there is no way you can do it cheaper then me because my time is free to me” he got a blank look and I asked him to leave the property.

Nest doorbell for me and a speakeasy portal on my door, too.

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
I even lock it when I'm out mowing grass..

I had a few dreams about someone coming up my walk, going in and locking me out of the house. It became sort of a phobia after that, I almost always lock the door even if I'm just a few feet away in the driveway.

My house is in the middle of 14 acres, with fencing and secured horse gates and at least 3 livestock guardian dogs. I don't get a lot of foot traffic where I live. However, when I hear the dogs during the day while I'm working--I can check my cameras, and have a cordless hole puncher handy.

My neighbors are friendly and know to text or call ahead--only had one stranger show up--not knowing he was at the wrong farm until he tried to get out of his truck and my LGDs wouldn't let him out (the "mean barks" came out; all caught on camera)

He started yelling at me about my "damn dogs" but stopped when I "asked" him who he was and what he was doing on my farm. After informing him he missed his turn, he went to put his truck in reverse to speed out of my barn yard. I told to watch out for the dogs--after an impolite retort, I reminded him he was trespassing and if he wasn't careful, he was going to be walking after two flat tires if he wasn't careful.

From his license plates, he was from up north--and told him gates are secured for a reason. Mostly for other people's safety.

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill, re doorbell camera:

I'm going to buy one soon, but wanted to shop for something that didn't require a subscription like Ring does.

We just got a Eufy video doorbell. No subscription required, video is stored on an SD card in the linked inside chime unit.

Can't give you a range report yet, I'm going to install it as soon as I have time, maybe tomorrow, but I picked the Eufy specifically because it does not require a subscription.

Last time that I had strangers at the door it was two guys wearing phone company labeled apparel trying to sell me their internet service. This in a building marked No Soliciting, and the main entry door requires a pass. No firearm handy, but there was a Ka-bar three steps away. A door camera would be a prudent investment.

I don't mess around with door knockers. If they look legit I tell them no thanks. If they look don't tell them to leave. If they don't leave I yell loudly with anger to go away right now. I do this though the door, I never open it. So far I haven't had to call the police, but I have my phone 911 speed dial ready. If I have to I'll retrieve a rosco if I don't already have one on my person in case they think forcing the door is a good idea. So far at my current residence I haven't had to go to stage 4, but I have armed myself for certain types I could see in advance coming down the street who didn't feel right. And one time a truly crazy man after walking down the street started up my driveway while I was working on an outdoor project, I stopped him loudly before his foot hit the driveway and told him to turn around immediately. He gave me some stupid line, but he did turn and leave. He was mentally sick, but looked and felt pure criminal, you could just tell. I'm glad he turned and left. I was armed that day, and I could have retreated and closed up before he reached me, but the police in my neck of the woods aren't too far away.

You never know. And when you least expect it.

I always make an exception for girl scouts selling their cookies with their moms. I love girl scout cookies, and support both girl scouts and boy scouts. I hate boy scout popcorn, it really sucks, so I give the cash instead. It's so nice to see legitimate and innocent girl scouts and boy scouts with their parents and troop leaders wherever they're found.

Reolink also does not require a subscription.

I am of the persuasion to carry all the time. If things go South in a hurry you have your tools within arms reach.

If I don't know the person ringing my doorbell I don't open the door. If someone calls my phone I don't know, I don't answer the phone.

Always told my wife to let the GSD’s answer the door bell as they were up anyway.

Never open the door for strangers.
End of story.