Mjjfcag • ~
Lcgiuiiale Salespeople WO Not
Use High Pressure Sales Tactics
By Teresa Simmons
Post Managing Editor
Once you open your door to a
stranger and invite that person in,
you’ll probably need to start pray
ing that this is an honest person. To
avoid having to say this prayer the
Mecklenburg County Crime Preven
tion Association has made public
tips concerning door-to-door solici
tors.
Officer Russ McElwee, coordina
tor of the Mecklenburg County
Crime Prevention Association,
locate at 618 North College St., gave
tips on when one should become
suspicious of door-to-door solicitors.
“If a person comes to your door
and wants you to give them money
or for you to make the check out to
them personally, this is one reason
to become suspicious,” officer
McElwee stated.
What else should you look out for?
Let’s take Charlotte Post news
paper solicitors, for example. Does
this person have » sample of the
product for you to observe? Can you
make the check out to the company
and send it through the mail?
In the case of The Charlotte Post,
you would not be able to receive your
complete product right on the spot,
but if you want to be on the safe side
officer McElwee suggests that mail
ing your check to any company will
“...cut dpwn on the likelihood of
losing money.”
The problem with dishonest door
to-door solicitors becomes greater
during the holiday season. “We have
problems with magazine or book
solicitors who never deliver during
the year,” officer McElwee stated.
“But during the holidays there is a
lot of soliciting far small toys and
gifts which are never received.”
The scam, according to McElwee
usually goes like this: “They
usually work in groups at four or
five. They will come to your door
and show you a brochure illus
trating an item. They will solicit
your money to them pereonaHynW
group will saturate a-neighborhood
and then move on to anotber.part at
the country.” Female solicitors who
are dishonest are Just as numerous
as their male counterparts," Mc
Elwee stressed. •
If you are weary of a solicitor the
Mecklenburg County Crime Preven
. tion Association offers these safety
measures:
—never let a solicitor into your
home (if you are interested in the
solicitation, have the solicitor make
an appointment to come bade), ask
for a business card, and look for a
company insignia on his or her
apparel.
-if he or she comes hack in two or
three hours or the next week you will
have had time to do your home
work. Call the Better Business
Bureau or the company the person
claims to work for - make sure this
person is a representative at the
company. Also all businesses must
register with the Better Business
Bureau, according to MeElwee.
-a woman should never, allow a
solicitor into the house if her hus
band is away, and she should never ~
tell a solicitor she is alone.
- if you do make a purchase from a
solicitor, never pay in cash. When
paying, use a check written out to
the order of the solicitor's com
pany. Never pay to the order of the
solicitor’s personal name on the
guise that they will repay the com
pany. Be sure to get a receipt for any
purchase made, and, if possible, try
to get your item at time of purchase.
-most legitimate salespeople will
not use high pressure tactics, *nd
will leave your premises if you are
not interested in the sale. If you
encounter a pushy salesperson,
contact the police. A salesperson,
who won’t leave, is a trespasser and
is violating your rights, as well as
the law. Don’t fall prey to a hard
sell.
In a recent "Informer,” a pu
blication of the Mecklenburg
County Crime Prevention Associa
Door-to-door solicitors, for the most part, are reputable salespersons who
represent legitimate companies. One should, however, use caution when
approached. (Illustraion By Janice Dalton)!
tion, door-to-door solicitors, for the
most part, were described as
"reputable salespersons who
represent legitimate companies."
But the newsletter made a point that
there are “bad apples in every
bunch.”
It is also important that police
statistics show that over 40 percent
of rapes and robberies occur in
residences where victims let the
perpetrator into their homes.
There are also other holiday crime
prevention tips offered by the .
Mecklenburg County Police De
partment:
-Shniuring- -Shnn with someone:
don’t carry large sums of money and
never display it; be sure your car is
in good operating condition with
plenty of gas; tell someone where
you’re going and when you’ll be
back; park in a well, lighted area -
as dose to the entrance as possible
and put all packages in the trunk -
not on the seat or floor;
About yeurpurse. Keep it closed
and securely under your arm; keep
it off the-counter and out of the
shopping cart and never let children
carry it
Going Away? Here is a home
checklist and ideas for a more
secure home; is property marked
under "Operation Identification?’’;
neighbors have been asked to watch
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your home and to pick up mall and
delivered packages, etc.; automatic
ttaen are set for lights and
radio; the house is locked; shades,
blinds, draperies are in their nor
mal positions; police have been
notified to watch your home; and
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If you are staying home over the
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checklist: valuables are marked
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gifts and valuables are not in view
from outside; doors are kept locked -
especially when only one person is
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timer when you’re away; no notes
left to indicate your absence; and
don’t advertise your new TV, micro
wave oven, etc., by discarding the
boxes on the curb, crush them and
place them in trash bags.
The County Police Department
also has gift ideas for Christmas:
-how about dead bolt locks for doorst~
an engraver would be a nice gift for
your neighbors and relatives - you
could even help them mark their
valuables; and a whistle is a good,
practical gift for a lady.
Taking heed to these suggestions
could keep you from becoming a
statistic and gllow you to have ooe of
the safest and merriest holidays
ever.
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