Just tell the salesman "no thank you" or "not interested" and shut the door. Works 100% of the time. Arguing with a salesman is silly when you have no interest in his products. Salesman always assume if you talk to them for more than 5 seconds that you are playing hard to get, not turning them down.

Thankfully they haven't knocked on my door, but that is really annoying. I think sometimes young people are lured by classifieds promising "advertising jobs" or something like that, and they promise huge commissions for selling stuff in this manner. I naively went to a job "interview" like that once, and the "interviewer" was completely bewildered and almost angry that I didn't want to get involved.

I have seen a couple other examples of this type of thing in action. Once at Lozano car wash, this girl leaned in the window of my car while I was waiting for the vacuums and started spraying me with cologne and fast-talking about how my wife would love it. I said no a couple of times and finally had to get angry before she left.

Another time, I was at the Starbucks at Rengstorff and Middlefield (yes, I've been known to frequent businesses in Mountain View) and this guy came in and started pitching the poor cashier about these "vacations" he was selling - just a real hard sell, with lots of salesman questions like, "do you have a girlfriend?" "who are you going to take on the trip" and blah blah blah.

I'm sure these people are just trying to make some coin, they aren't evil or anything. Just remember you can always say no, and you never have to engage anyone in conversation. You can just ignore them if you want...its your right!

What is the mystery meat they are selling? Dog? Horse? Something else?

My Wife and I had a sales man come to our door a few months back. They used the exact same line. Kinda creepy, I would never buy something like meat from some stranger driving around in a van.

We actually bought some of the meat from the fast talking sales rep who kept lowering the price. I wouldn't call it creepy, but it was definitely a con. The meat looked ok, but tasted like it had been injected with water, and when we checked on the web, other customers had the same perception. We often share the extra food we get from Costco with food banks; I think this box ended up that way as well. Hope they made it into a good stew--that would be the best use.

It's easy for me because I have a window by my door, so I can just look out there and see who is knocking. I don't open the door to strangers but I can make sure it's not a new neighbor by calling through the window. If they start to try to sell me something, I just smile, wave and walk away from the window.

These guys came by my place in mt. view a couple weeks back. Seemed a little shady to me. Checked them out on YELP and started to connect the dots. They have been pushing their products this way all over the south bay. I recommend using yelp whenever these small companies are in question. It helps to set the record strait.

We put up a "no solicitors" sign on our door because of hard sell salespeople. That helps, but we still get people ringing our doorbell and wanting us to sign some petition or other. I don't want to explain my politics on my doorstep. Even when I agree with the cause, I find it just leads to more and more of the same. $5 today, but then starts the phone calls, etc., so I don't donate anymore at my door.

Often, they are argumentative and want an explanation which I find very offensive. Even had 2nd day adventists try to engage me in a long conversation with the "how are you" and "we are neighbors" (NOT -- they were from Los Altos) and so on to try to get you engaged in discussing your religious beliefs. Good Grief!

My neighbor suggested not opening the door, and that's what we do now, although it means we might miss a real neighbor sometimes.

With all of the problems that are caused by factory-farmed meat, it makes sense to say no to these guys, besides their invasive tactics.

We had a guy recently who was selling frozen meals. I think it was Stouffers or similar, but higher end. Still, it was weird, albeit legit - you can have Safeway deliver that stuff if it's your thing.

My sympathy to those getting these creepy meat salesmen at their door - it sounds sort of "Sopranos" to me.

Invest in a peep hole,you will see what nincompoop is at your door and you will yXZwfnot need to answer. Pure and simple- not rocket science.

Please remember, most people are just trying to make a living, they're not out to do harm. Say "No thank you." I fear financial advisors and hedge fund managers more, even though they drive nice new cars.

I've seen these guys around our neighborhood too. They approached ne as I was leaving the house. It was weird and I did not think it was normal. I hope the cops do something about them.

I've seen them in the neighborhood in previous years. Didn't think they would get much business w/ this type of a sales model.
The fact that they are back tells me (a) they are very desperate to unload their merchandise, or (b) maybe they are some in the neighborhood who have bought from them, and this is actually a good market for them.
Just thinking about all that meat sitting in that truck for who knows how long makes me want to switch to a vegan diet.

I once had an at&t solicitor(young, female and very pretty), knock on my door and then get very mad after I politely refused to switch to the at&t bundle she was offering. She practically screamed at me when she realized she had no sale and then slammed the gate as hard as could on her way out.

People have told me the frozen meat and seafood is very good. I can remember days in the past when milk, bread, vegetables, water and ice cream were all delivered by truck - some of the stuff was ordered and some was not. The only mystery is why some people are so freaked out.

What is the mystery meat?

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Thanks for sharing the new and thoughts. It's important to know what's going on in town. A strong community should be.

I am really surprised that no one other than me seems to be concerned about this "mystery meat".

What is this meat? Has it been bred and butchered in humane and sanitary conditions? Has it been genetically engineered? Is this actually someone's stolen pet goat, or cat, sold as meat? Were the animals tested on in some laboratory that makes them unfit for human consumption? Is there cattle rustling going on in the Central Valley? It sounds to me that this is possibly meat rejected by local markets and has a reason for not being sold in legitimate fashion.

When we have fruit vendors on street corners selling their wares, we ask all sorts of questions. Why not for meat?

Don't get me wrong. I grew up having milk and bread delivered to my door and can even remember fish and egg vans outside our house. I have nothing against enterprise from local reputable sellers, but is this the case here?

I wouldn't buy from the fruit vendors as I have no idea as to its safety and I wouldn't do the same with mystery meat. Someone should be checking on the validity of the meat.

Has anyone got to the meat of the mystery?

I once had an Amnesty International rep show up at my door. When I asked who it was, she said in a worried tone, "It's your neighbor!" I ran to the door and, without checking through the peephole, flung it open because I was concerned that one of my dear neighbors was in trouble. Needless to say, I was extremely upset that the rep tricked me. She wouldn't let me close the door until I committed to something - either signing her petition for who-knows-what or donating to the cause.

I never provide my personal information or sign anything for door-to-door solicitors. If I am feeling really cornered, I just give them cash to get rid of them. This way, they can't track me down, steal my identity, or put me on their mailing list. If they "steal" the cash for their own personal use, that's on their conscience - not mine.

Unfortunately, like birds to breadcrumbs, giving cash might attract more of these situations, but at least I can resolve the immediate problem.

One safety tip: If you are alone at home and someone rings your doorbell, yell, "I'll get the door!" to give the person the idea that someone else is at home with you. This way, if they were initially inclined to do something bad, they will think twice.

I bought meat for the first time from another company 2 years ago. I have never had bad meat. The chicken was my faviorate, juicy even the next day. Just use your brain, some are good guys, some are bad. My meat was USDA approved.

I have been wondering where all the squirrels and crows have gone. They are no longer in my "backyard" lolol but have apparently reappeared in different form in Palo Alto. I didn't even chase them away.

P.S. Just because someone knocks at your door does not mean you have to open it. DUH - hahahah.

At least they are hard working people trying to sell something for money.. Who cares what they say while making a living as long as I don't see them with a sign begging it. For doing NOTHING!!! Sure come to my house and ask me! If it's something I don't want I'll let you know...

There is no "mystery meat," only mysterious meat salesmen.

SUPER CREEPY.... trafficking animal meat. Who knows how those animals died or lived. Beware, those of you who only want to save money. You may be paying down the road...

I'd venture to say that in most cases you don't know much more about the meat you buy in the stores than you do about the meat being peddled door to door.

'Sounds like a very interesting dinner party.

Prime Select? These guys sell pretty good steaks and the marinated chicken is excellent. Before they closed, the meat guy at andronico's was a jerk to my wife. These guys gave my wife a free box of steakburgers. I'm pretty sure they are just trying to earn a living.

Palo Alto is a very educated neighborhood, the "mystery meat" comes inside LABELED boxes, with contents of which kind of animal it comes from, READ them! These men are just trying to make a litving doing one of the toughest jobs out there. If you are not interested, say no, simple as that. No need to bash them for trying to feed their families.

I WILL BE RESPECTFUL AND TRUTHFUL. RESPONDING TO A POST TRAFFICKING ANIMAL MEAT WHO KNOWS HOW THE ANIMAL LIVED OR DIED. YOU SOUND VERY UN EDUCATED TRY NOT TO POST ANYMORE COMMENTS.

No reason whatsoever to open your door to an unknown person/door to door salesperson/potential huckster/criminal.
Keep your safety in mind first. Put up a "no solicitors" sign. These folks have no right to be on your property.
Thanks for the warning of this story - I had never heard of this (what I consider to be) scam. Using neighbors' names in this fashion wouldn't impress me either way...

Oh great. My daughters boyfriend just started working for this company. I really can't see him being a high pressure salesman. Guess rent will be late again. argh!

They are back!!! Knocking on doors in midtown--with "steaks to sell for a great deal!" Creepy.

You may ask where the homeless people have gone now that Palo Alto passed the anti-homeless ordinance ... free mystery meat? .... maybe not ... who's to say?

to put an end to this mystery, the beef is raised and grazed by a company named (pause for effect) sterling meat...
how about this mystery website were i can clearly type what ever i want, and know one will check the source..wait B.B.B checks the source of their complaints., to see if any important matters even get resolved..so check the oldest approval raitings for any small business. and who rates a meat company at 2am,,,(really) ...

A few years back I was driving slowly next to this truck and the truck driver persuaded me to take a look at his meats. I was very skeptical at first and after he explained how the business operates, I decided to trust him and I bought a large pack of hamburger.

Honest to God, this was the best hamburger meat I've ever had! It was very delicious and no, I never got sick from it.

I think buyers need to be very cautious and make sure the driver is legit and call the agency to confirm if the seller is legit. Get the license number etc. That's what I did.

I am a homeowner in Foster City, CA and you can trust this company hands on. -Bernadette Hsing