Arcor: Aggressive door-to-door salesmen

Have you ever had one of these guys turn up at your door trying to get you to change your phone line from Telekom to Arcor?

I had one at my door the other day and I couldn't believe how aggressive he was:

Me: [opens door]
Him: [doesn't introduce himself] blah blah blah change your phone to Arcor blah blah blah, show me your last phone bill.
Me: Er, what?
Him: I need to see your last phone bill.
Me: No thanks. I don't want to switch to Arcor.
Him: But I need to see your phone bill, then I can tell you if you'll save money.
Me: But I don't want to switch to Arcor.
Him: But look [shows me an example phone bill], you can save money...
Me: I don't want to switch to Arcor.
Him: But you need to show me your last phone bill.
Me: Goodbye.
Me: [Tries to close door, but can't because he has his foot in it]
Me: Goodbye!
Him: [Removes foot] OK, if you say so.

Unbelievable. After that episode I wouldn't buy from Arcor even if I had previously intended to.

(Normally I wouldn't bother answering the door, but it was the actual apartment door rather than the building main door, and I was expecting someone anyway.)

Actually, it does seem to be getting worse with all kinds of salesmen. We get hit up here all the time lately by the "homeless" or so they say wanting to sell me all kinds of stuff that we don't need. As I just refuse to do this at the door, they get really pissed. I tell them to leave me some info, but none of them have any info and spew something about German regulations on self-employed. They show me an ID of some organization, but then claim to be self-employed.
These tricks are common in the US and I just wonder if it is starting here too. They take your money and then you never see whatever you ordered.
Or worse, your dumb enough to give them your konto number and sign something.
Be aware, they may just be trick-thieves.

Is there not a cooling off period with most things ? I suppose if you are stupid enough, or get tricked into it, you should be able to get out ?

That is just it, they aren't representing a legit company or concern, they're thieves.
You are somewhat protected by the bank, but they still get money and in the end it costs everybody.
There have been warnings posted by the police lately. They have all kinds of tricks. Some of them even pose as the trash guys wanting a Christmas bonus. My neighbors give them crappy bottles of wine or sekt that they got when a visitor came over - kind of like the fruit cake that gets passed around in the states

Very common in the UK too for phone bills and electricity. People often sign contracts for a new supplier without realising and then the fun really starts.

Sign NOTHING at the door, show them Nothing.
If you want an offer of cheaper X, tell them to send it in writing for you to consider, they mostly won't.
Same goes for "fab new deals" they ring up to offer too.

I posted this on another thread...

Don't open your door unless you're expecting someone...simple.

Next time if your trying to close your door and somebody stick their foot
in it, after a warning or 2 then just squish to F'er... It will soon be removed...