We do not authorize solicitation by this organization

[navi tasan]

I go to a supermarket which has a sign in front of the entrance which says: 'We do not authorize solicitation by this organization'.

I don't understand what it means. I think maybe it is supposed to mean people aren't allowed to solicit other people in our supermarket. But it doesn't seem to say that. If it does, then I can't parse it.

What does it mean?

 

[teechar]

Is it possible that the person who wrote it is not a native speaker of English?

 

[navi tasan]

Thank you very much, Teechar,

I doubt that.

https://flic.kr/p/fcxftf
I do my shopping in another city in the US, but I think the sign is the same. Actually, I think the sign is the same all over the US.

Maybe 'by' means 'in the close vicinity of'?

 

[emsr2d2]

Maybe 'by' means 'in the close vicinity of'?

I can only assume that's what they mean. It's very poorly written.

 

[Tarheel]

The words in smaller print should be:

We apologize for the stupidity of this sentence.

 

[Rover_KE]

NOTE: AE solicitor = BE salesperson/cold caller/telemarketer/charity collector

BE solicitor - AE lawyer

 

[Skrej]

As it's written, it means they do not allow their own organization to solicit. While that might make sense as some kind of warning to the public to be on guard against scammers/imposters soliciting under the guise of the company name, it doesn't make sense for them to essentially apologize to the would-be scammers/imposters.

I agree that it's probably intended to be a prohibition against charity solicitors, which are especially common during the holiday seasons. In fact the Salvation Army standing outside a major store ringing their hand bells, with their red aprons and red donation bucket has become a key indicator of the beginning of the holiday season in the US.

In fact, it's now even considered an expression of community service to volunteer as a bell ringer. Personally, I just watch to punch them in the face and crush their bell under my heel.

That image is what makes me smile at them as I walk by.

 

[5jj]

If we interpret 'by' as 'in the vicinity of', it's OK.

 

[probus]

We have a somewhat similar situation here in Canada. When we use a human cashier as opposed to self-checkout at our local supermaket they often ask if we will add a dollar or two to our bill as a contribution to some charitable organization. I find it slightly annoying and offensive and sometimes suggest they ask their CEO for a donation instead of me, given that his late parents bequeathed hundreds of millions of dollars to him.

 

[Skrej]

If we interpret 'by' as 'in the vicinity of', it's OK.

Granted, but then it sounds odd paired with 'organization', instead of something like store/building/business.