Door-to-door Selling Complaints Projected to Double Over Last Year

BetterBusiness Bureau receives complaints each year from consumers who unknowinglyfall for scamming door-to-door solicitors. While many door-to-door salespersonsare honest, BBB receives troubling complaints from consumers who purchaseditems like magazines that never came, cosmetics and photography of poorquality, even meat that was no good. BBB warns that deceptive door-to-doorsellers are looking to make a quick buck…and they’re on the rise. Last yearthe City of Abilene passed a solicitation permit ordinance. This city law requires anyone selling door todoor must have a permit displayed and visible to you at all times. If you don’t see the permit, askthe person to produce it. Solicitors canonly come on your property between 9 am and 7 pm. Property owners have the ability to preventany door to door solicitations by posting “NOSOLICITING” near your door.  {{more}} Unscrupulousmarketers sometimes trick consumers into paying hundreds of dollars for itemsthey don’t want or can’t afford. Oftentimes, their presentations are so slickthat consumers aren’t even aware that they have actually made a purchase. BBB offersthese tips on dealing with high pressure, door-to-door sellers: Magazine subscriptions: The most common complaint BBBreceives involves consumers paying for magazines they never receive. Severalconsumers allege the sales representative misled them by claiming to work for alocal school or charity fundraiser. Food products: Sales representatives knock on doorsselling produce or meat products, claiming their prices are much lower thangrocery stores. Consumer complaints to BBB allege that their orders neverarrive, or are not of the high quality originally promised. Otherindustries employing door-to-door sales tactics that BBB receives the mostcomplaints about are cosmetics, photography and cleaning supply companies. If visitedby a door-to-door sales representative, BBB recommends consumers do thefollowing: ·Be safe. Ask for identification before youopen the door. Never invite the solicitor into your home. ·Be wary of high pressure salestactics. Atrustworthy company should let you take time to think about the purchase andcompare prices before buying or putting down a deposit. ·Research the company with BBB. Visit bbb.org to view the company’sBBB Business Review to find out more about their marketplace performance. Ifyou have a smart phone, you can download and use the BBB app to access thecompany’s report while the person is standing at your door, or visit m.bbb.orgon your mobile device. ·Get transaction details in writing. Be sure you receive a contract orreceipt explaining the details of your purchase and all the terms andconditions that apply. ·Remember the “Three-Day Cooling-OffRule.” The FederalTrade Commission’s Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule gives consumers three days tocancel purchases of more than $25 that are made in their home or at a locationthat is not the seller’s permanent place of business. Along with a receipt, thesalesperson should always provide a cancellation form that can be sent to thecompany to cancel the purchase within three days. By law, the company must giveconsumers a refund within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice. ·Listen carefully and be aware of highpressure sales tactics. Some unscrupulous door-to-door sellers will put pressure on you toclose the deal at that moment, and even make special offers to entice you.Listen to their tone. Are they increasing in volume as they speak to you? Arethey ignoring you despite saying you are not interested? Find a way to end theconversation quickly to avoid long, drawn-out sales pitches. ·Stand strong. Do not invite unsolicited salespeopleinto your home. If you do allow a salesperson inside and decide during thepresentation that you are not interested in making a purchase, simply ask himor her to leave. If the salesperson refuses to leave, threaten to call thepolice, and follow through if they don’t leave immediately. Victims offraudulent door-to-door sales can file a complaint with their Better BusinessBureau at www.bbb.org, local law enforcement, or Texas Attorney General’soffice.