Door-to-door sales were common in the 19th and 20th centuries, but some communities banned or limited the practice. Green River, Wyoming was the first to pass a law prohibiting it in 1931, leading to similar laws in other communities. Today, many communities regulate door-to-door sales through laws that limit the time and days of the week when sales can take place and prohibit sales to homes or businesses with “No Trespassing” or “No Solicitation” signs.
Throughout the 19th century and well into the 20th century, it was a common practice to sell everything from eggs to life insurance to vacuum cleaners by going door to door and trying to get the occupants of the household to buy the produce for sale. However, not everyone has appreciated door-to-door salesmen, which has led some communities to consider legislation banning or limiting the practice of door-to-door selling. The first community to actually pass a law prohibiting door-to-door sales was Green River, Wyoming. Since that time, laws or ordinances that prohibit or limit door-to-door sales, or promotion, are often referred to as the “Green River Ordinance” after the first successful ordinance of its kind.
Before computers, televisions, and even telephones were used as a means of selling a product, companies sent door-to-door salesmen to make sales. In the latter part of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century, the practice was particularly popular. Technology in America was advancing at an extremely fast pace, making a variety of new and exciting products available to consumers. While large metropolitan cities had shops where produce could be displayed and sold, many families lived in rural areas and rarely traveled to the city, making street vendors a perfect way to sell goods and services.
Not everyone, however, appreciated the casual home visits, which led to a push to ban or limit door-to-door sales. Green River, Wyoming passed the first ordinance banning door-to-door sales in 1931, which became known as the “Green River Ordinance.” Shortly thereafter, other communities passed their own versions of a Green River ordinance banning or limiting door-to-door sales. Many companies filed legal appeals to Green River’s ordinance laws, claiming they violated constitutional rights. The US Supreme Court, however, upheld the Green River Ordinance laws.
Today, many communities continue to use some form of Green River ordinance to regulate door-to-door sales. While this type of sales is often permitted, many laws regulate the time of day and days of the week when sales can take place. Also, in many cases, the laws specifically prohibit attempted sales to homes or businesses that will post “No Trespassing” or “No Solicitation” signs indicating they are not interested in being approached by door-to-door salesmen.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
