BBB warns of scam

2009

BBB Warns Against a Summer Scam Going Door-to-Door Nationwide

Better Business Bureau warns that deceptive door-to-door magazine sales crews are hitting the pavement and looking to earn a quick buck this summer. In the last 12 months alone, BBB has received 1,100 complaints from consumers in 46 states and the District of Columbia against more than 50 companies that are selling magazines door-to-door.

I thought it important to warn people. I had heard this on the news, but was checking over the Better Business Bureau as I do often, and I it worries me that these people are coming to our doors. Another scary bunch are the orange salesmen. Have you had a visit from them? They come up and slice open an orange before you can say hello. Don't open the door, if you don't know the people.

Comments: 12

Alex In Wonderland May 13, 2009, 8:37am EDT

It isn't surprising.

In our PTO a woman took her son around a few neighborhoods to sell our winter fund raiser and ripped every single one of the customers off. They asked people to write their checks directly to them instead of the school, but as far as I know no one fell for it. Our PTO lost a lot of money recompensating these people who were ripped off. I can't believe the witch brought her son along to steal their money, making our PTO- our moms, teachers and school- look bad. I can't believe that she scammed and ripped off her child and the other 750 or so children at the school. That was a low blow.

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Linda G. May 13, 2009, 8:41am EDT

In my town, you need a permit to sell door-to-door and you have to show credentials and hve them checked by the Police prior to getting a permit.

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Nellie (The Bad Santa of Gather) May 13, 2009, 8:50am EDT

these magazine people have been around for years...the bad thing is they hire college kids usually and end up never paying the kids who end up becoming the victims also.

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jewi lim May 13, 2009, 8:52am EDT

Thanks for sharing.. ..

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Randee "The Court Jester of LaLa Land ! ! !" always and forever, I just want to celebrate May 13, 2009, 9:10am EDT

thanks Carol......
I never buy from those people anyways......

it's funny though...my little brother used to be one of those grapefruit/orange guys.....
he said he made mega-bucks........

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Bob B. May 13, 2009, 9:20am EDT

Thanks for the heads-up, Carol.

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Kimber L. May 13, 2009, 9:21am EDT

I never buy things from door to door people unless it is a neighbor kid and I know them

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tammie p. May 13, 2009, 9:21am EDT

thanks for the info

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Dan R. May 13, 2009, 9:52am EDT

I have always been leary of the BBB, as they are very quick in accepting negative information on companies, with little to no background information. It is also often hard for companies to get information out through the BBB that would explain why something is happening or being fixed.
Any good information is seldom heard or accepted through many of their offices, so that it does become very one sided.

As far as door to door sales, I am like Kimber in that unless it is a kid from the neighborhood, I do not usually buy anything sold that way.

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Steph-in-NE ..... May 13, 2009, 11:40am EDT

let them try to come to m y door I have two lab children whom dont let folks ten feet from the door with out raising kaine,,, If they stick around opps one get out,,,

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