There was a tap on my door early this morning...
 
 
 
 
I'm starting to get the feeling he's not a very good plumber.
 
 

"I knew by turning our outside camera on that no one was there ringing our bell at such a time."
But....you can't see a ghost..usually. :)  Thanks for the advice on the battery! Interesting story.
 
Thanks Herb....yeah I'm very familiar with how a doorbell works. Thanks just the same. The problem is the wire for my doorbell is buried under drywall and trim in such a way that I can't check sections of it and to replace it is impossible unless I tear off part of the front of my house :)....so this is why the wireless idea looked to good. If I pull a new wire it's going to look like Gomer Pyle did it because it will be outside of the trim:)
 
The real bell is looking more and more tempting. I'm thinking I'll mount a bell inside the door and put a small hole through the wall for the pull string....no batteries ever...isn't likely to ever fail and if it does it's only going to cost me the price of some new string. If my power goes out it's still going to work. I'm not sure how a visitor is going to react to a "pull rope" sign though. I associate that with "pull my finger".....probably be looking up for buckets of water or something lol.

Hire an Igor to stand on your porch and pull the rope when someone walks up to the door. In addition to provide an non-electric doorbell, he adds a certain ambiance to the place. As long as there's a breeze outside, it shouldn't build up to toxic levels. 
 
Your place would also be the most popular house on Halloween.

Yum!

craigb

Yum!

Ding Dongs in your face!!!!!!

UbiquitousBubba
Hire an Igor to stand on your porch and pull the rope when someone walks up to the door. In addition to provide an non-electric doorbell, he adds a certain ambiance to the place. As long as there's a breeze outside, it shouldn't build up to toxic levels. 
 
Your place would also be the most popular house on Halloween.

I think this ^ is the best suggestion so far.
 
 

Dude I tried that...the warehouse was fresh out of igors. I have one on backorder :)

That's okay, Starise. One time, they sent me an alternate product. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box and found an Eeyore. I was going to send him back, but I thought I'd at least try him out for a while. Now, it just seems like too much trouble to box him up and return him. 
 
My doorbell works just fine. I don't know how he does it, but he manages to make the bell sound sad. You wouldn't believe the number of times I've answered the door to find a salesman standing there choking back sobs as he tries to sell me something. This usually ends with the salesperson turning away, throwing his hands up and moaning, "Why do I bother?"
 
When kids come by for Halloween, they're glad to see Eeyore at first. By the time they leave, however, they're whining about how their feet hurt, their stomach aches, and they probably didn't get any good candy. It's a big hit with the parents. I just smile and wave. 

Yes...a mechanical door bell.... kinda like those old bike bells.... or a cast brass door knocker is the old tried and true way to go.
 
Or get a dog.... My German Shepard has become my new, best, doorbell/alarm system/advance warning system.