Door-to-door alert: Alarmed by alarm pitch

Out of the WSB inbox, from Deanna in Arbor Heights (near 33rd/99th):

At about 8:45 Friday evening someone knocked on my door posing as an ADP sales agent. He said because of all the recent crimes in our neighborhood his manager wanted him to place signs on our lawns if we’d agree to a consultation. After I gave him the boot he moved on to my next door neighbor with a different story. We are guessing that he was casing our houses to determine who had alarms. My neighbor called the police to report it, I though perhaps the West Seattle Blog might alert some neighbors.

Here’s our archive of door-to-door alerts; some solicitors are legitimate, some not, but remember the city rules – if it’s a commercial solicitation, they’re supposed to have ID.

8 Replies to "Door-to-door alert: Alarmed by alarm pitch"

  • Eric March 5, 2011 (12:04 pm)

    The guy came by our house too in the 41st/100th area at about 6PM. I did keep an eye on him and he went to other houses. I also did see a company van in the area for an alarm company with a “promotions vehicle” sign on it. I even saw it heading east on 100th and 35th at about 8:15PM (makes your time seem right).
    .
    My guess is that it was legit as he came by during the evening hours (when people are likely to be home) as opposed to middle of the day hoping people are not home(I was home all day). The van did seem too elaborate of a prop for a scammer.

  • Kevin March 5, 2011 (12:17 pm)

    They stopped by my house on 42nd near 100th and appeared legit. Even willing to take no for an answer and smile.
    .
    A pair, working alternate sides of the street. Both had new looking ADT signs and wearing a blue nylon ADT jacket. Can’t remember if they had any sort of ID badge.
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    The conversation went something like this:
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    Me: What are you selling? (my standard line)
    ADT: Nothing, we would like to put one of these signs in your yard. We are “giving away” free alarm systems.
    Me: Giving away – but I still have to pay the monthly monitoring fee? Right?
    ADT: Well… yes.
    Me: So you REALLY are selling something.
    ADT: (defeated) Smiles, and turns to walk away.
    .
    (he was obviously very new to this)
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    Me: Good luck to you – I know it’s a tough market out there.
    .
    ADT: Thank you.
    .

  • dco March 5, 2011 (5:12 pm)

    Came to our house at 102nd and California and I thought he was legit.

  • HelperMonkey March 5, 2011 (5:13 pm)

    I’m right in your hood, Kevin. I guess my magical “no solicitors” sign must work.

  • Shay March 5, 2011 (8:31 pm)

    When I got home last night at 7 pm (37th and Trenton) there was a young man asking me if I was the lady of the house pointing to the house next door. I said no and said that I did not want any solicitors at my door.
    A few minutes later, he came to my door anyway and I didn’t open it. We have a “no solicitors” sticker on the glass and the light was on. Regardless, he told me he “was a student around here” and wanted to know if my car was for sale. This was really weird to me because we literally had that same 20 year old car stolen a month ago! Our neighbors told us that he asked them if their truck was for sale, as well. It was all very odd to us. I stood outside with my neighbor and kept watch for a while. No idea if he was “legit” or not. Interesting to hear others experienced door to door activity last night.

  • Beth March 5, 2011 (9:15 pm)

    Shay = casing your house/hood

    Kevin: Call ADT and ask for the name of the local rep in your area/zip code and ask what the sales policy is for door to door night time solicitation; you’ll be suprised at what they’ll tell you. Also, ADT, by policy, does not put/allow to be put, their signs up without the service rendered. They also have ADT company reps AND contracted reps. Only do business with ADT directly (phone) or a company paid employee reps.

  • Mike March 5, 2011 (11:27 pm)

    8:45 is way too late for sales pitches at the door. If it really is an ADT reseller or ADT themselves, they need to rethink their times they send people out to sell product.

  • MAS March 6, 2011 (9:36 am)

    Even if they do work for ADT, that’s no excuse for misleading, deceptive behavior (claiming that you aren’t selling anything) or inappropriate hours.

    The BTK killer in Kansas was an ADT employee managing installations while he was killing folks on the side.

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