Interesting thing happened today, something to learn from

[speedkills27]

So I had to help a family member today after work, which held me up from home later than usual. As I pull into my driveway and start unloading my truck with things that need to go inside a strange vehicle stops at the end of my driveway. A younger looking skinny guy about 5'9"-5'10" gets out with two bottles of dish soap in his hands and starts a sales pitch. Now, I'm an everyday CCW, usually I got a Glock tucked in a 3-4 o'clock, but for the task at the family members house I had to take my gun off. So as I'm walking around the front of the truck I have my gun,in its holster, in my hand, and this dude comes walking down the passenger side talking about how he and his buddy are college kids and need to talk to one more person tonight before the can call it a night. I literally have the gun in my right hand on the hood of the truck with my left shoulder bladed towards the stranger, he asks if his friend can come out of the car and in the house and do his presentation. I'm sure my answer was obvious, and by the look on my face he got the point, I was courteous but made it clear that I was in no way intrested in anything he was offering. He got back into his vehicle and left never noticing my hand on the gun, at least he never mentioned it.
In hindsight I feel I could have done more in the situation.
1. He got too close. Within in arms length before I could process what was going on.
2. I was in a good defensive position and ready for an attack but feel I should have gotten a license plate number as they drove away so if future problems arise I have something to fall back on

Any pointers or things I could have done better? The whole interaction lasted 90 secs at best

 

[dsdmmat]

As soon as they stopped just yell keep moving not interested. They have stopped by my house before, I just said, " can you read?" And pointed at the no trespassing sign. They left right away without getting out of the vehicle.

 

[meketrefe]

You wanna shoot a salesman? Well that would not be the first time ever I am sure. Lol

 

[kev74]

Sounds like you did ok. Everything worked out ok, and you got a couple of things to think about.

 

[GUNSICK]

M1 and get off my lawn.

 

[Magnus]

Ask for free samples, if none they obviously want to murder you.

I had something similar happen to me the first time I carried. I learned to look around every few minutes just to take notes. Listen to change in sound. I also learned that if they don't move away, I should, just to create some distance. Just what I learned from my experience.

 

[Saltwater60]

I agree as soon as you encountered him ask him to stop and say what's your business here. Then say sorry not interested. You don't have to be rude. A lot of these are scams or they will rob you later.

 

[dsdmmat]

Sometimes with these college kids they are trying to get in the door to push for a bigger sale. There have been stories in my area where one they were in they would not leave until you bought something. It is not the classic definition of robbery but it is still robbery. That is why I don't even entertain the idea they have access to my property. The no trespassing sign has reduced that kind of traffic to almost none. I don't even get the religion peddlers anymore.

 

[Greywolf224]

He caught you off guard. As was said by the others always keep distance between you and him.
I have had cars pull up to my driveway many times before. Driveway is about 100 feet and I usually yell out to the street to ask what they want don't give them a chance to even walk towards the house. If they do start walking towards the house I then immediately start walking towards them. I've noticed that it makes them nervous and they stop in there tracks. Think of it as you're invading their space.

 

[speedkills27]

thanks guys. I usually stay pretty aware so i saw the car pull up and him get out next time ill mind the gap, and remember to gather more intel

 

[Bananabandit]

You mean you didnt open fire until all clips were empty?

 

[Blimey]

After spending an hour with some college kid in my house as a favor to a neighbor I now have an unequivocal, unwavering "no sales pitches" rule. This means I buy nothing at the door (girl scout cookies I will make an exception, so it's not that unequivocal), but no multi-level marketing schemes at all EVER. No matter who. I just don't do it. Hate that stuff.