Just say no to door-to-door magazine sales

The bureau there says it’s requested basic information from the company but has not received any response.'

I e-mailed Prestige Sales, but they did not respond.

Dealing with a seasoned criminal?
In New Jersey, Lt. John Schwartz of the Kinnelon Borough Police Department knows all about door-to-door magazine scams. He’s been going after these con artists for years.

“Many of them have criminal records,” he says.

Two weeks ago, Kinnelon police arrested a salesman with Prestige Sales. He told potential customers his name was Jamie Peters. A fingerprint check shows “Peters” was really a 29-year-old whose last known address was in Texas. It turns out he was wanted for parole violations connected to a burglary there. His arrest warrant said he had violent tendencies.

He was part of a crew of about 40 staying at a local hotel. Every day they would be dropped off in different neighborhoods to see how many magazines they could sell.

“Don’t invite them into your house,” cautions Lt. Schwartz. “Some of them look pretty clean cut. But these are not Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. They are not selling cookies.”

Many of them are after your valuables. Lt. Schwartz tells me that when they arrest members of these magazine sales crews they often find stolen checkbooks in their pockets.

The emotional appeal
Crystal Downes of Snohomish, Wash., doesn’t normally buy things from door-to-door salespeople. But the woman who showed up at her house selling magazines had a compelling story.

“She was a very nice, friendly, chipper young lady,” Downes recalls. “She said she was a single mom, she showed me a picture of her son, and that she was working with Fresh Start Opportunities.”

The prices were high, but Downes figured she could spare the money to help this mother get back on her feet and take care of her son. She ordered a two-year subscription to Prevention magazine for $54.

The check was cashed but the magazine never came. Downes called the company many times but never got anything but voicemail.

The Better Business Bureau of Western Washington has received dozens of complaints about Fresh Start Opportunities, which lists a mail box in Seattle as its business address. Because of all the complaints, the BBB gives the company an “F” rating.

The BBB’s Niki Horace says the Fresh Start Opportunities uses kids “who really know how to tug at your heartstrings.”

I called and e-mailed Fresh Start Opportunities, but did not receive a response.

The bottom line
Unless it’s a kid you know who lives down the street, door-to-door sales are always risky. ID badges can be faked and receipts can list a bogus address or phone number. If there is a problem, it may be impossible to contact the company to get a refund.

The fact that someone shows up at your house without an appointment is a high-pressure sales tactic. If you have a hard time saying no to someone face-to-face, just don’t open the door. They’ll go away.

And consider this: If you give your money to a crook, not only do you lose, but so does the charity you think you’re helping.

Finally, never let an unexpected salesperson in to your house – not to use the bathroom, get a glass of water or make a phone call. It’s just not safe.

More info:
FTC: Magazine subscription scams

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