Door-to-door alerts: Magazine solicitors show up

We’ve received two tales of encounters with purported magazine-selling solicitors in north West Seattle over the past few hours – read on:

From Meg:

Half hour ago an African American young woman with the name “Antonio” tattooed on
her neck came by our house (in the 3300 block of 49th Ave SW). She was selling magazine subscriptions for a company called D & T Connections and wanted us to do her a personal favor and “give her a hand up” by getting a subscription. She had a lot of personal questions tried to get answered: (what are your names?, what were your first jobs?, what jobs do you do now?, etc.) She spoke rapidly, said she had 3 kids and was trying to get herself straightened out and take care of them properly. My husband showed up about halfway through her schpiel. She kept referencing our nearby neighbors by calling them “Mr. Mike” or “Mr. Steve” or “that guy with the fancy little red car” saying they were all supporting her by buying a bunch of subscriptions. Anyway, she kept flashing a clipboard with a bunch of rumpled papers attached to it, asking us to sign up too.

She said she was a neighbor and lived nearby and when I asked where exactly did she live, she got flustered and said she didn’t remember what the street was but she thought the place she was staying was “Western Inn”. Huh? Then she said she really hadn’t lived in this area very long. I asked where she lived before here… she said Colorado. She said she is traveling “all over” with this D & T Connections company. Huh? I asked how her kids could go to school while traveling all over. She said they live in Houston with her mother. She got very flustered b/c the questions caught her off guard, I think. Anyway, I started to conclude that this indeed was a scam and I finally interrupted her by asking if she could leave some information with us so that we could review it more. She said “No, D & T has no printed info to leave with “customers.” I said, “Well, we can’t help you out then”. At that point her demeanor changed and she became hostile and yelled at me for wasting her time. She charged down the sidewalk, yelling at me in a loud voice.

And from Melissa:

Just thought I’d give another heads up about the magazine sellers.

We’re in North Admiral on Walnut Ave – just had a tall, handsome black kid come to the house, wearing a white oxford, blue tie and khaki pants, claiming to be selling magazines. He handed me a rumpled piece of paper and I handed it right back telling him we’re not interested and he suddenly turned rude, saying, “Yeah, NO ONE is interested in magazines.” He then just walked off. I called the cops just to let them know…

Our customary reminder – solicitors have to have a license and ID. Here are the city rules.

34 Replies to "Door-to-door alerts: Magazine solicitors show up"

  • j September 19, 2009 (4:47 pm)

    We also called the police on a solicitor today. We live a couple blocks east of the Morgan Junction and had an African American young woman selling god knows what come to our door around 3:30. Before she could give us her spiel, my husband asked for her id, and she got angry and said only the “card holder” had id. After we told her we weren’t interested because she didn’t have the proper id, she was instantly rude spouting off lots of smack talk. We told her we’d be calling the police now and she took off running down the street to collect her friend working on the other side of the block. The whole interaction was just off, so we knew we had to call the police.

  • Mike September 19, 2009 (4:48 pm)

    Ya, a lady stopped at my house too on 49th. I cut her short and told her I was not interested. She had nothing in her hands, no badge to represent any company, nothing… just some random lady walking up to my door and asking for me to help, yadda yadda.

    Here’s a hint to anyone on here. If they don’t have a receipt to give you that has a phone number and address you can confirm it’s legit with, it’s not legit, it’s a scam.

  • chris September 19, 2009 (4:50 pm)

    I wonder if Meg had a run-in with Crystal, who was by our house (38th and Stevens) on Wednesday. She has come up from Georgia by way of Colorado, Salt Lake, and Portland. She became very rude when I told we wouldn’t be purchasing anything from her.

  • Andrew September 19, 2009 (5:38 pm)

    The same black guy came to my house on 44th and Hanford and he tried to get a little funky when I wouldn’t open my door. Too bad. I wonder if they would accept Monopoly money?

  • Andrew September 19, 2009 (5:40 pm)

    I wonder if they would accept Monopoly money?

  • Random guy September 19, 2009 (7:04 pm)

    Presumably the same woman just came by, 4100 block of 49th. Opened door, not interested, “why you…”, SLAM. Caught me in a bad mood already with the Huskies winning earlier.

  • Cathy September 19, 2009 (7:35 pm)

    I received the same young man from D&T Connections on Friday in the Genesee Hill area. I did ask him for his license. At that point, I didn’t really know what it looks like so was a tad flustered. I didn’t think it was the real thing but it had some official sounding verbage. Can someone show us what they look like so we can quickly say, “No, that’s not a license”. right away without having to get into a conversation.

    I also went on line and D&T Connections is a legit organization althought they are known for their very aggressive sales folks. The gentleman I talked too wasn’t nasty, just very long winded.

  • wsmom September 19, 2009 (7:53 pm)

    I live on 49th and spokane street. Had a black woman stop my kid when he was taking out the trash to ask if parents were home…Came to my fence and Saw my dog and did not enter but yelled for me from the fence…had nothing to sell. Sat on my neighbors rock for a while with her partner smoking. These people really need to get a real job and a life.

  • c September 19, 2009 (7:55 pm)

    The young ex-military gentleman just showed up and didn’t like no for an answer.

    He said I made him feel like a loser. This was 45th and Stevens.

  • tom September 19, 2009 (8:19 pm)

    (49th and graham) we had a young well dressed black man come to our door asking to use the phone around 6:45 pm 9/19. without opening the screen door, my wife politely said no and he left.

  • lincolnparkwalker September 19, 2009 (8:28 pm)

    54th and andover–just had a a salesman at our door at 8:15pm. didn’t want to take no for an answer. was asking about the neighbors.

  • coffee September 19, 2009 (9:02 pm)

    simple solution, run to staples and pick up a No Solicitation sign and put it on your door/gate/fence. I have one on our house and we have not had a single person knock in the last 2 years.

  • fj September 19, 2009 (10:48 pm)

    We have a No Soliciting sign and they STILL come up. Apparently they can’t read, and/or don’t know, don’t care. I put a definition of “soliciting” up and also wrote “that means you , religious peddlars” since we get lots of those crazies too.

  • Citizen September 20, 2009 (12:41 am)

    As a veteran of many a doorbelling excursion for one political or charitable cause or another, I try to be sympathetic to people who work up the nerve to contact citizens directly. I wish more people would do this. But these organizations that recruit kids to go out and try to dupe consumers into shelling out dough-they do serious harm by inspiring “No Soliciting” signs and a lot of door slamming.
    Problems:
    1. Soliciting without a license.
    2. Lying about all sorts of things.
    3. Saying or implying that buying magazines will support some kind of charitable cause.
    4. Displaying anger and other intimidation tactics.
    Things that are not problems:
    1. African American kids trying to make a living by going door to door selling magazine subscriptions.

  • bb September 20, 2009 (8:04 am)

    So did the cops come when they were called? thats my question. With all the break-ins ect.

  • Holden September 20, 2009 (8:21 am)

    Please take your cellphones to the door and snap a quick shot of these solicitors just in case there is trouble later.

  • Phil Ellenbecker September 20, 2009 (8:21 am)

    For more information on this immoral and criminal industry please visit our websites:
    http://www.travelingsalescrews.info
    http://www.dedicatedmemorial.org

    As a warning to all:
    DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE IN YOUR HOME !!!

    If they show up at your door, pick up your
    phone and call 911 and/or the police.

    Our organization has documented over 300 high profile felony cases and 86 known deaths all directly linked to the ‘traveling door-to-door sales’ industry specific to selling magazines and cleaner products door-to-door.

    Yesterday a woman was raped in Port Huron, MI.
    by a magazine salesman. The woman made the mistake of opening here door. She was lucky, she could have been murdered. Here is a link to that story:

    http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20090919/NEWS01/909190307/1002

    Beware:
    In your own backyard you have a magazine clearinghouse that operates dozens of magazine sales crews: Pacific Coast Clearing Services out of Gig Harbor, Washington.

  • marty September 20, 2009 (9:00 am)

    When are we going to pass a law that makes door-to-door selling illegal? Times have changed and it seems like this is more of a scam/burglary motive now than a legitimate way to conduct business. I sure would like to see the change.

  • laurie September 20, 2009 (10:42 am)

    Start answering your door with your side arm. These are some really skanky youf working this scam.

  • Marie Antoinette September 20, 2009 (3:41 pm)

    The same young male solicitor was in West Seattle about one year ago. He literally accosted me as I was walking my dog. He expressed an interest in the dog and chatted me up. A fidgety young woman was across the street, pacing up and down. I asked if he knew her, and he said she was his girlfriend. He asked me to buy magazine subscriptions, etc., and offered to come home with me so I could get my checkbook. Noticing my key ring, he asked if I drove a Toyota truck! I walked away and now wish I had alerted the police.
    On Thursday evening, he knocked on my door. I recognized him immediately, and got further confirmation when he started petting my dog. I told him I knew who he was and advised him to go away. An hour later, he was still pacing up and down the street.
    Next time I’ll call the police. My advice to anyone is NOT to engage this person: he is relentless!

  • nmb September 20, 2009 (7:56 pm)

    i’ve noticed a bunch of solicitors in our neighborhood lately at 47th and lander. i’ve happened to be out working in my garden in the front yard when they’ve come by, and they never stop to talk to me, probably because that wouldn’t give them the opportunity to peer into my living room when i opened the front door, so they could see what they wanted to steal.

    when i AM inside, and someone knocks on the door when i’m not expecting anyone, i simply open up the little peek-a-boo door we have in our front door. if it’s a solicitor, i politely say that i don’t accept solicitors and close the little door, never giving them the chance to see inside our house.

  • Kat September 20, 2009 (8:29 pm)

    So does the guy that comes around White Center selling fruit from his wagon need a license? I usually will buy a couple pieces of fruit from him. He speaks little English. I feel alright about him, but should I be weary?

  • Ruth M. Ward September 20, 2009 (10:33 pm)

    A tall young man wearing a white shirt with too large a collar, wet with rain, stood at my front door selling magazines. I had the misgivings of other people in talking to him, tryinga to understand the conditions of the sale. I bought one magazine and questioned the 11.00$ handling fee. He said it paid for the shirt he was wearing. He got here by answering an ad. He had a quota to make for the day, but I couldn’t finish his quota by buying more magazines, so he had to go in the rain to another door. I give the fellow an A for courage and using the resources he knows about to better himself. I wish him well. RMW9/20/09

  • marty September 21, 2009 (9:03 am)

    Ruth: Unfortunately this scammer took advantage of your trust. If you take a minute and check the internet price of the magazine, you will find you paid double the fair price.

  • Intimidated September 21, 2009 (10:34 am)

    I had a guy by the name of Raymond come to my door on Saturday as well. I was home with my daughter. Husband was working. Situation was a guy on my front porch telling me he was an ex street pharmacist. I, not wanting any trouble, “bought” a magazine subscription from the former drug dealer. I have “No Soliciting” signS. I have a large framed glass front door. This guy ignored all the signs, came up the long walkway and saw us in the living room through the door. I didn’t know what else to do. I just wanted him gone without incident. Not sure if I should cancel the check. My mom gave me a good tip that my granpa used to do, Put a WET PAINT sign on a chair in front of your porch! I thought he just painted his porch a lot!

  • Citizen Bill September 21, 2009 (1:06 pm)

    This guy came by my place on Friday evening. He rang the buzzer on my door once. I told him to go away. He rang again, but this time much longer. I asked him who he was and he had no response other than to repeatedly say, “What’s up my brotha?” He was gone by the time I got downstairs. Weird.

  • fine fellow September 21, 2009 (4:28 pm)

    I checked this company out by googling them. Nothing but complaints. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=D+%26+T+CONNECTIONS%2C+MAGAZINE+SALES&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

    Their treatment of the door to door solicitors is notorious for being exploitative. The companies are known for overcharging and not delivering the magazines, if delivered not the correct magazines, not refunding.

    Conveniently based outside of Atlanta, Georgia good luck dealing with them.

    If you want to support people here’s the best way. Deal Locally. Check out where the money goes. Get involved personally if possible.

    No need paying for someone’s Lexus in Georgia while “helping” these people make less than minimum wage.

  • JW September 29, 2009 (6:00 pm)

    You know I sold mags 4 2 and a half years, alot of you are severely misled, yes magazine salespeople as well as others rape and kill people, but thats not 2 say that all door 2 door salespeople are bad people, Most of these kids have no where else 2 go and are basicly trained by their supieors 2 use shady sales tactics, many are beaten nightly if they do not meet their quotas, the industry and the government should be the ones 2 blame for not regulating this industry that has brought Magazine publishers ( such as Time, People, Shape, etc.,) billions over the past Century. Most people don’t even know this type of lifestyle even exist let alone do they know all the BS that goes on within these so called companies or that it’s been going on since the early 50’s. All the publishers are just as much to blame as the owners of the mag crews, they’ve know about the abuse and the fraud and everyting else for a long time and have done nothing and our government as well and will continue to do nothing because CASH rules evertying around us and they bring to much money to these companies. Think about who these Publishers are for a minute, HELLLLOOOO!!!!!! IT’S THE MEDIA!!!!!! some of the richest most powerful people in the world, working WITH associates in the door to door and telemarketing business and alot of them have had very close relationships very many years. None of this by any means justifies anything illegal esp. rape or murder these idiots do, even though none of these companies buy permits for their agents, and I was also told by an ex Owner that to be a legit mag co. you only have to fulfill 1/3 of your orders, don’t know how true that part is though. NOTHING has ever been done to regulate and enforce that these companies do back ground checks or anything for that matter. Thats the real crime, all this has been on 20/20 60 mins. and many others sources and still nothing is ever done!!!! MOST of the agents are victims as well. Heres a tip No soliciting sings don’t work, i was trained that those were high percentage doors and to always knock them, just don’t answer your door and they’ll move on to the next door!!

  • sp September 29, 2009 (10:03 pm)

    Just FYI: tonight in Spokane, WA. Big problem with these people. 2 Af Am women going door to door. We watched one of the steal a box that UPS had left on a neighbors doorstep. Nutshell version: my husband watched her toss the box in someone elses garbage, went & looked at it & confronted the ladies. They told us that the neighbor gave them the books. NOT. She wasn’t even home from work. I was on the phone with 911 & the one that took the box left in a hurry. Husband told other girl that they are not welcome on our private street & to get out of the neighborhood. I was able to track them for over 10 minuts with 911 on the phone but the sheriff never showed. They were picked up in a green van. 2 hours later, a Af Am man showed up in a tie. Same group. I asked if he was selling magazines. He said yes. I advised him none of the neighbors were interested and asked him to leave. He got confrontational. I asked him again to leave advising this is a private road. Finally my husband and another neighbor ended up getting involved. The guy wouldn’t leave. He wanted to square off. We don’t go for that. I’m on the phone with 911 again along with another neighbor. Other neighbors are keeping an eye on the situation. Guy calls his “boss” telling him that the boss’ girlfried was just up here stealing from people. Finally guy left. He was dropped off in a white van. Both groups used racial remarks against all of us. So, do we live in fear for our homes, cars, etc? This sucks!!

  • jlwendt October 13, 2009 (8:02 am)

    Same male magazine peddlers were at 37th & Hinds last night (12th) around 7:30pm. Not quite confrontational, but certainly relentless and unsettling, considering we never have salesmen come to the door.

  • Jaclyn October 15, 2009 (4:14 pm)

    Just had a magazine salesman come to my door about two seconds ago. African American man, tall, in a suit “trying to get a leg up and help out kids who need it”. When I told him I wasn’t interested, he said “Now come on, I walked up all these steps for you to tell me No?”

    The door was open, with the screen in place, which I locked when I heard the dogs barking and him coming up the steps. He said he’d been talking to “all my lovely neighbors”. I told him I wasn’t comfortable talking to him while just with my son, he asked “When is your husband going to be home?”

    Creepy! I told him VERY SOON. (shouldn’t have implied he wasn’t here, damn me.)

    We’re on the SW end of Beach Drive, it’s Thursday at 4pm or so.

  • WSB October 15, 2009 (4:17 pm)

    I haven’t had time yet to do today’s door-to-door alert (sometimes they’re daily) but we had a solicitor as well, California/Thistle, knocked VERY hard on the door, which we never open. He said he was from Gig Harbor and was not selling magazines. We closed the window, he stood there a few minutes, left. Sorry, no description, but the solicitors continue to be out there – TR

  • Jaclyn October 19, 2009 (1:58 pm)

    Wanted to also add that AFTER I told the man I wasn’t interested and after he knew my husband wasn’t home, he came BACK to my house about 3 minutes later and was knocking on the door. I was 2 seconds from calling the cops. He walked away.

Sorry, comment time is over.