Can Amarillo Solicitors Ignore Your No Soliciting Sign?

Is it me, or have there been a lot more door-to-door salespeople this year? Not so much over the last month, since it's been an absolute scorcher out there, but I do feel like Amarillo has seen an increase in people coming to our door trying to sell us stuff.

We recently moved, and just in the three months we've lived at our new place, I've counted at least four people that have shown up peddling something. Yeah, it does get annoying, but we have to remember they're just trying to do their job.

Most Common Solicitors

This has changed quite a bit over the years, as I remember the days of people showing up to push me on some magazine subscriptions and car care products. Yes, believe it or not, there were a TON of these salespeople hitting me up. Now? It seems internet services and home security systems have taken the lead.

I've had three different internet providers show up at my door, including the company I'm already with. Home security has been a big one lately too. That's echoed by someone on Reddit saying they've had a Vivint salesperson come by seven times just this year. To complicate it, the OP mentioned they have no soliciting and no trespassing signs posted at their door.

Are There Penalties For Ignoring Signs

Many of us have a no soliciting sign on our door; however, it does seem many just ignore them and just ring the doorbell anyway. So, are there actually penalties for those who ignore the sign? Actually, the answer to that is yes, well, sort of. It depends on local jurisdiction as well as what the person is knocking on your door for. The penalty for it is a fine, nothing major unless they refuse to leave.

Should they refuse to leave after you politely ask, the charge can turn into a criminal trespassing charge, and that carries far more severe penalties.

Who Is Exempt From No Soliciting Signs

So while you may think that sign applies to everyone, it doesn't. There are certain groups that can knock, even if there is a sign on the door. Non-commercial groups such as political campaigners, religious organizations, and non-profit groups may be allowed thanks to constitutional free speech protections.

Other groups that can be exempt in many jurisdictions are service workers such as mail carriers, utility workers, and service providers with legal easements or business reasons tend to be exempt from those rules as well.