Though many door-to-door salespeople operate honestly and represent reputable businesses, there are others who are looking only to make a sale and move on as quickly as possible, regardless of whether or not what they’re telling people is accurate or not. BBB recommends the following on how to handle door-to-door solicitors:
Ask for identification. A reputable seller will provide you with all the information you request, including ID and a business card.
Verify the individual and the company.
If you are interested in a product or service outlined by a
door-to-door solicitor, get everything in writing including price,
contract duration and all other terms and conditions. Tell the
salesperson you will check it out and get back to him or her. Then
research the company yourself and contact them directly to verify the
salesperson is an employee. Also, be sure to visit the company’s BBB
Business Review at bbb.org.
Inquire about licensing. Have they secured a solicitor’s license from the city they’re doing business in?
Read the contract closely. Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions before signing your name.
Don’t be pressured. Watch out for high-pressure sales tactics and be aware that anything you sign could construe a contract.
Do the Math. Paying
$30 to $40 per month for magazine subscriptions may not sound like
much, but if the contract runs for two years – or longer – charges can
add up quickly. Make sure you have an understanding of what the average
subscription costs for any magazine that interests you. Most magazines
have detachable postcards inside with the lowest rates available.
Know your rights.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule gives the
customer three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made in their
home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of
business. Along with a receipt, salespeople should also include a
completed cancellation form that customers can send to the company to
cancel the agreement. By law, the company must give customers a refund
within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice.
Listen carefully.
Some unscrupulous door-to-door sellers will do everything they can to
close the deal immediately, and even make special offers to entice you.
Listen to their tone. Are they speaking more loudly as they get deeper
into their sales pitch? Are they ignoring you despite your saying that
you’re not interested? If so, find a way to end the conversation
quickly.
Stand strong.
Do not invite unsolicited salespeople into your home. If you do allow a
salesperson inside and decide during the presentation that you are not
interested in making a purchase, simply ask them to leave. If the
salesperson refuses to leave, tell them you will call the police – and follow through if they don’t leave immediately.
Steer clear of asphalt firms that say they have leftover asphalt from another job.
A classic tactic of less-than-reputable asphalt firms is to tell
consumers they have extra asphalt leftover for another job and will
perform the work for a minimal cost. Professional asphalt contractors
know, with great accuracy, how much paving material is needed to
complete a project. They rarely have leftover material. It’s also a good
idea to get multiple estimates before choosing any contractor.Victims of door-to-door solicitors can file a complaint with their Better Business Bureau at bbb.org, as well as with their local law enforcement, and state Attorney General’s offices.
