Reader report: Door-to-door duo sparks call to police

| Door-to-door alert | Westwood

Another door-to-door alert, this time from Westwood, e-mailed by Pauli, who says, “I just want my neighbors to be aware” after he wound up calling the police about two solicitors:

There were two young guys ( about 22-25 yrs old ) working my neighborhood last Sunday night at 8:30 of all times! One kid came to my door and said he was offering carpet cleaning services while he tried looking over my shoulder into my house. I said no thanks and shut the door. He then started laughing very loudly and saying that I had an attitude problem. I came back out of the house to see what the yelling was all about and he got very agitated and started towards me to yell in my face.

He eventually headed on his way but not without yelling some more up the rest of my block. I called the police to tell them what happened and they agreed that they should check these two out. I spoke with the officers and they said they would suggest they call it a night. I don’t know of any legitimate business that goes door to door at 8:30 on a Sunday night. This happened near 34th ave SW & SW Cloverdale St. (map) They left a flyer that names themselves as JWL enterprises. On yahoo groups (if you google their name) you will find some other reviews by people who had a miserable experience with this company. I just want my neighbors to be aware of these guys. I don’t want to see them back in this neighborhood. They are based out of Bellevue.

Checking online, there are several companies using that name, not all locally based. ADDED 11:40 AM: Thanks to Alex for e-mailing the link to a Channel 7 report about complaints against one such company, including a company statement.

As always, we remind you that door-to-door soliciting IS LEGAL, provided those who do follow a variety of city rules – you can read them here. By the way, all WSB coverage of readers’ door-to-door alerts is archived here.

datamuse November 11, 2008 (11:38 am)

Sounds like the same people reported in a previous alert…

justin November 11, 2008 (12:21 pm)

I just read the Kiro article. This is a quote from John Liske, the Owner of the company. “We’re a Christian organization. This company belongs to Jesus and we’ll talk behind the scenes if you want to talk”

I guess Jesus has become quite the entrepreneur these days. Maybe he is a horrible taskmaster too, and these gentlemen appeared pushy because they where afraid of eternal damnation for not meeting their sales quota.

westwoodmom November 11, 2008 (12:24 pm)

Closer to Henderson also late Sun night, there was a girl who came to our glass back door where I was standing doing dishes and said that “your neighbors are getting their carpets cleaned and helping us to earn prize points”. She had no ID badge, was not very happy that I quickly said no but left without hassle.

YinWS November 11, 2008 (12:54 pm)

I believe the same guy(s) knocked at our door on Sunday evening @ 9pm!!! He was a tall mid-20 year old guy with a dark brown hair and a brown leather coat carrying green flyers. I say about 5’9″. I just looked out the window and that said ‘no thanks’. I should have called the police because he was constantly looking over his shoulders as he made his way down south on 30th SW Avenue towards Trenton. He looked way too suspicious!

Jason November 11, 2008 (1:06 pm)

Companies that sell door-to-door are dying breed. Pretty soon nobody is going to open their door and be bothered by this crap. You wanna sell to me in my living room? Put up a web site and maybe I’ll glance at it from the laptop on my couch.

What November 11, 2008 (2:52 pm)

My dog seems to make them nervous. Get a dog.

Bob H November 11, 2008 (3:39 pm)

Several years ago, we put up a “No Soliciting” by our front door. Since then, we have had very few problems with door-to-door salespeople. Believe it or not, we shopped several different stores to find a decent sign. I think we bought the sign at Lowes and it is is a nice quality sign and not too obnoxious.

No doubt November 11, 2008 (5:45 pm)

If he knocks on my door with that attitude and gets in my face he’ll be swallowing my 45 Caliber.

bj November 11, 2008 (6:35 pm)

We had the same group today around 4:30. 50th Ave SW and SW Alaska. This was a young African American girl. Saw one guy running down the street and then a blue van going fast as if to pick them up. Not sure if related. Also strange that someone’s home close by had their alarm go off. Noise for about 15 min. this around 3. Called and reported it to police.