telemarketers and solicitors

Current mood: amused
I own two retail stores and believe it or not, I think it would be OK to do business without a telephone. If I kept my internet service and fax line, I would be OK.
I get maybe a few calls a week from people wanting information from the store. Other than that, every time I pick up the phone it is someone trying to sell me something, or have me donate money to a worth cause. It is very frustrating. I also have a weekly visit from boys with stuff in boxes in Lincoln City. They sell everything from books to rc cars, lanterns, flashlights, etc. They come into the store and stroll up to the counter to sell me something. If customers are in my store they are more than happy to sell them some too. And they canvas the parking lot as well. I pay rent, utilities and taxes to sell my wares, so I don't think it is very fair that customers money is diverted from the stores into the pockets of people trolling the strip malls.
I get some solicitors in McMinnville, but downtown store owners have been really good about the "no thanks, no soliciting in this store" line and kicking them out the door. I have only had solicitors two or three times in 8 months there.
My decision today is to no longer support strolling salespeople. They detract from my business and if we say no and don't buy anything they will stop eventually. As for the telemarkers -- one day I will just hang up. Paul clicks the off button in a manner of micro-seconds. I listen, then politely let them know I support hospice or local charities.
OK, so this is where I left off the first time. Believe it or not, my day got even better -- and please, no one could or should be able to top this one! Around 4:30 my solicitor was the one and only -- Granny the Meat Lady. I am not kidding. She stuck around long enough for me to tell her no on her meat, and then she tried to sell me an MLM breakthrough Mango Juice that cures all. And if I told enough people about it, I could get mine for free! Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it I guess.
So anyway, does anyone have an ailment that needs to be cured. I've got this great miracle Mango juice...