# Why do grocery stores allow sales people to come into their stores and harass their customers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135 "2025-03-26T12:05:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/21 "2025-03-26T15:00:43Z")
The worst such hustle I ever encountered in a store was at a Lowe’s, where a chiropractor had been allowed to set up a table to advertise his wares. It took a certain amount of self-control not to ask him if he confined himself to doing back-cracking for nonexistent subluxations, or also pretended to solve internal medical complaints. Generally, ignoring such salesmen is the best approach. If an AT&T rep in a supermarket started haranguing me, they’d be informed loudly about how AT&T lost my business permanently when they tried to stick me with a bogus monthly service charge when I switched to another cellphone provider. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/22 "2025-03-26T15:05:45Z")
Oh wow, i opened this thread thinking it would be about the people giving out samples of a new product. I’ve never seen a completely unrelated company hawking its wares inside a grocery store. They don’t do that at the Costcos I’ve been to, nor at any of the local grocery stores i frequent. I guess i haven’t been to Walmart or Target recently enough to remember. But I’m confident in my ability to ignore them and walk by. I often engage with random political/cause people on the street, but when i don’t want to, i have not been impeded by them. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/23 "2025-03-26T15:21:09Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I’m guessing the store is being paid to let these people sell their products in their store. It’s like the kids selling Girl Scout cookies out front, although they allow non-profits to be there for free. Depends on local laws. Where I live in Los Angeles, stores cannot prevent people from standing near the entrances and soliciting passersby. It’s common to see fundraisers and petitioners. Stores often have a sign saying something like “we don’t endorse solicitors”. Inside the store is a different matter, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/24 "2025-03-26T15:25:40Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > They have the AT&T sales people at Target from time to time. They annoy the absolute living shit out of me and I’ve wondered why they are even tolerated there, myself You might ask for the Target store manager and tell them that you’re leaving the store because of the outside harassment. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/25 "2025-03-26T15:26:38Z")
I sort of have - but it’s been a permanent Verizon booth at a warehouse store , or some independent businesses (like a hair salon) just inside the entrance to a Walmart. Not what the OP seems to be describing. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/26 "2025-03-26T15:27:46Z")
How about those goddamn Girl Scouts selling their unhealthy cookies? Talk about your hard sell. Scream at 'em and they’ll usually back off. /s ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/27 "2025-03-26T15:31:52Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Where I live in Los Angeles, stores cannot prevent people from standing near the entrances and soliciting passersby. It’s common to see fundraisers and petitioners. Stores often have a sign saying something like “we don’t endorse solicitors”. That may be something about being on public property, like a sidewalk. But for stores which are on private property (like a store on a lot surrounded by parking spots), I would think the solicitor would need to get permission from the store. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/28 "2025-03-26T15:40:54Z")
How about if, when they a sales rep gets pushy with you, you ask for their name, and tell them as soon as you’re home you’re going to call their company and switch AWAY from whatever they’re hawking just because they were so obnoxious to you? If their sales reps start racking up negative sales number, maybe the company’s will reconsider. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/29 "2025-03-26T15:43:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve never seen a completely unrelated company hawking its wares inside a grocery store. They don’t do that at the Costcos I’ve been to, nor at any of the local grocery stores i frequent. Same here. This thread has been interesting. Like reading about a foreign country. (As described, it does sound annoying) ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/30 "2025-03-26T15:50:15Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > But for stores which are on private property (like a store on a lot surrounded by parking spots), I would think the solicitor would need to get permission from the store. I used to think the same, but the fact is there are often solicitors at the entrances past parking lots. With the store posting a sign disclaiming them. It’s possible the store _could_ have them removed for trespassing, but the potential for negative publicity keeps them from doing so. Some googling found this Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department directive: [https://pars.lasd.org/Viewer/Manuals/13233/Content/14344#](https://pars.lasd.org/Viewer/Manuals/13233/Content/14344#)! > **POLICY AND PROCEDURES** > The possible infringement of a person’s First Amendment rights in the exercise of free speech and petition should not be taken lightly, especially when dealing with someone who is uncooperative. If the solicitation does not meet the legal criteria listed below or violates the time, place or manner restrictions, the manager/owner of the location would need to be advised of private person arrest procedures if an arrest was requested. If there is probable cause for the arrest, the manager/owner may place the disturbing party under arrest as described in FOD 02-06 (_Private Person Arrest Procedures_ . ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/31 "2025-03-26T16:10:05Z")
Why are they allowed to do that? Because, for the most part, people would rather ask elsewhere “Why are they allowed to do that?” instead of just going up to management immediately and asking “Why are you allowing this to happen?” ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/32 "2025-03-26T16:12:17Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > How about those goddamn Girl Scouts selling their unhealthy cookies? Talk about your hard sell. Scream at 'em and they’ll usually back off. I wore a continuous glucose monitor for a few months last year. When I encountered the Brownies and their moms outside the store, I lifted my sleeve, tapped the monitor, and shrugged as I walked by. I was amused that one of those moms would have to explain to the girls that their cookies are poison to some people. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/33 "2025-03-26T16:20:26Z")
I had one call me “a fucking liar” and slap the cookie out of my hand. That seemed pretty harassing. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/34 "2025-03-26T16:21:21Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > The only culprit around here is Costco where rain gutter and solar panel companies have tables on the way to the exit. My Costco has phone reps and sometimes other people (cooking wares, etc) along the “main strip” inside the store between the entrance and groceries. I tend to walk in and immediately veer right to go around the perimeter and miss them all. Yeah, I can just sternly walk past them instead but this way is just less stress for me, especially when people are clogging the aisle and I can’t just power-walk past. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/35 "2025-03-26T16:29:30Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > But for stores which are on private property (like a store on a lot surrounded by parking spots), I would think the solicitor would need to get permission from the store. When my son was playing high school football the team decided to do an impromptu fundraiser at the local Wal-Mart. They were promptly told to get the hell out of there. It turns out that this particular store is more than happy to allow fundraisers from Girl Scouts, high school football teams, etc. but they absolutely must ask for permission in advance and stick to the time allotted to them. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/36 "2025-03-26T16:31:29Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > That may be something about being on public property, like a sidewalk. But for stores which are on private property (like a store on a lot surrounded by parking spots), I would think the solicitor would need to get permission from the store. It’s been trimmed back a lot, but California had a [court case](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruneyard_Shopping_Center_v._Robins) that extended constitutional free speech protections to private property. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/37 "2025-03-26T16:54:00Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I wonder how fun it’d be to engage them in polite conversation. That is, for every question they ask you about your life, reciprocate. Treat them like they are the sample tables at Costco. “Would you like to switch to AT&T?” "Can I taste it first? “Uh…” ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/38 "2025-03-26T16:57:09Z")
Why engage with them? Just walk by. If one of them touches you, scream. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/39 "2025-03-26T17:04:07Z")
I only place I have encountered them is at Walmart. Today I just wave and sail past. But several years ago a nice young man managed to get me in conversation. He was promoting Spectrum TV and Internet. At the time I had just had another increase from WOW and has not happy. After comparing the rates I did indeed switch to Spectrum. What he didn’t make clear was that some of the savings was promotional which meant it increased automatically after a year. I had his card so I called him up. He was still the cheerful guy I remember. He extended the promotional period on the services. When they ran out again in another year I called him again. This time he no longer worked for Spectrum and had a real job. He did give me some advice as to how to bundle the services for the best value. Even though the discounts have expired the cost is still lower then my previous service. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135/40 "2025-03-26T17:41:34Z")
So Robert Stack had to fight off the people trying to give him literature from their cult. There were ten after ten after ten of them. He could have asked for help from Leslie Nielsen. He knew what to do about the machinery of the Krell. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135.md?page=3)