Who could it be now?

Rawalpindi

Very often Pindiites have their doorbells ringing. They get disturbed by unsolicited callers of many kinds i.e. door-to-door saleswomen, mostly young girls, unknown to them – detergent-wali, shampoo-wali, hand and body lotion-wali, washing powder-wali, dengue inspection-wali, polio drop-wali ,you name it. These uninvited people also include household products salesmen, charities, and beggars and so on. They do door-knocking in order to sell goods or beg money.

“Usually, during a cup of tea or lunch or when I'm in the middle of my work, the door bell rings. Up I get and make for the front door. I become sick on seeing the aggressive sales people trying to tell me that I do need what they're selling. Last week two girls tried to sell me a soap product which I had already bought from my area market,” says Shabbir Alvi from Dhoke Kala Khan.

“Two days ago I had a representative from a washing powder firm at the door. She was very persistent in her sales talk, but I managed to politely get rid of her. If ever I need a washing powder, I will not consider the kind she was selling,” says Aleena Ali from Shamsabad.

“Yesterday I had a young lady asking for my help on a certain company goods survey. She wasn't trying to sell me something. Perhaps her goods survey would improve her goods' sale in my area. I couldn't refuse,” says Eshaal Hussain from Amarpura.

“This happens to me on a few occasions. I never open the door except the aged beggars because I just know it will be someone advertising or selling something! What's most annoying is that the salesman or saleswoman will knock persistently,” says Musa Kazim living in Arya Mohallah.

“Aggressive sales people, unbending marketers, and unyielding beggars...they should all be removed from our public places. Door to door sales people should realise that it is a violation of the sanctity of the dwelling and they will not meet a welcome at every door,” adds Kazim.

AbulFazl Abbas from Waris Khan says: “The other day I was trying to enter my home. An annoying lady blocked my way and asked me if I wanted to purchase the beauty product she was carrying. I said ‘No!’, but she wouldn't take that as an answer. Five minutes later I ran into another annoying person knocking my door. This is a serious problem these days. The city fathers need to stand up against it.”

“Does someone ever think that door to door sales women are doing it to make a living, probably supporting a family? How would you like it if people wanted you out of a job? I guess you wouldn't be very pleased. Before you pass judgment on these hard-working ladies, just remember that they are working under compulsion. Most of them work just on commission basis and work long hours for small reward. I hold them in great esteem, it's not a job I could do,” says Sania Zahra from Committee Chowk.

“We are self employed. It's a win-win situation for the company. They don't pay us anything until we bring in the sales and money. So, they would not save any money by putting us out of work. It's free marketing for the company. Door to door advertising is the cheapest and most effective way to promote a product,” says Sorayya Zaidi, who works for a highly reputable company.