Door to Door is much tougher today than it was back then

I believe that canvassing and cold-calling is much more difficult today in residential areas than it was back in the 60's.

The reasons are pretty obvious due to the fact that door knocking is not only frowned upon as a lowly and bottom feeding profession, but that it is almost entirely obsolete.

Selling vacuums, encyclopedias, Bibles and any other product through cold calling is extremely difficult in today's world, especially in suburbia. There are many city ordinances that require permits for soliciting. Some communities have signs posted where Homeowners' security dogs pose a potential threat every time they hear the knock or doorbell. Owners will often use their mangy pets to scare off salesman who are game to walk up the steps or driveway.
Besides, people are less apt to fall for sales techniques and strategies, because they have the internet at their disposal to do research on the product or service to determine if they are really getting good deal or if they really need it.

Back in the old days, people were generally more polite and courteous due to proper upbringing. A salesman held a little more social esteem than a door salesman of today.

With so many gadgets and mobile devices in our information age. Canvassers can use GPS and icanvass to probe and manage their progress in a more efficient manner, thus leading to higher productivity. This can lead to more success, but it can also lead to the churn and burn model which so many companies use to generate revenue. Attrition and turnover in sales is much higher today, due to the mentality people have for immediate gratification and results. If people get discouraged after two weeks in the field, they will soon learn they are not cut out for sales.

The only industry that utilizes the Residential door canvassing model today is Solar Energy, Cable TV and "Fly by Night" magazine distributors. They understand that using their Foot soldiers for marketing is much more economical than Print media and Commercial advertising.

In this grim story of Bible peddlers, the salesman are given warm leads from church members who drop their name in a box. Thus making the sale less uncomfortable and awkward.