Door-to-door alert: Crew says they’re here for a month

Matt sent in the latest door-to-door alert – don’t know if they’re legitimate or bogus but there’s been some power in people discussing solicitor sightings so we’re sharing them. (Also note this online article from the Better Business Bureau.) Read on for Matt’s report:

I’m house-sitting for a friend in the Admiral area and two young African American men were going door-to-door trying to sell magazine subscriptions around 4pm yesterday. They said they work for a company based out of Gig Harbor called *DC Sales, Inc*. but I was able to find anything with a similar name online. They said they’d be trying to sell in West Seattle for the next 30 days. It might be legit, I just thought I should let you know.

Here again are the city rules that solicitors have to follow.

toddinwestwood July 31, 2009 (4:56 pm)

Its NEVER legit.

Luke July 31, 2009 (6:19 pm)

We need to start taking pictures of these people when they come to our doors. I’ve tried this in the past and this so called “solicitor” couldn’t get off my property and down the street fast enough! Most of us have cell phones with camera capability. Next time someone comes to the door, bring your phone or digital camera with you. As they are giving thei phony sales pitch, just take their picture and delete it later if you wish. Not only will this let the person know that you have thier picture, you can share it with others or the police if something were to happen later.

Tom July 31, 2009 (6:34 pm)

Great idea Luke, it also puts in to the mind of the non legit, casing folks that their photo will be the first thing shared with the cops if anyone in the neighborhood gets burglarized.

Andrea July 31, 2009 (7:28 pm)

I had a similar experience a few days ago at my beach drive rental; two african american young women, with a speech about taking their life in a better direction and growing up in a bad neighborhood. One was kind of pushy, the other one seemed really sweet and quiet. They also had some extremely amateurish looking paperwork with them and talked of some sort of ‘points’ system. As soon as I told them I wasn’t going to buy any magazines they couldn’t leave fast enough.

AY July 31, 2009 (8:50 pm)

I believe this outfit is legit. About a year ago, I bought some “points” from a young woman who worked with group out of Gig Harbor. I am still receiving my magazines.

Leroy July 31, 2009 (9:55 pm)

the magazines took about 6 months to start coming for me but I still get mine too

baconbutt July 31, 2009 (10:12 pm)

We had two guys come by in North Admiral. One was here last year repeatedly, both rude and unlicensed. Still not carrying legitimate paperwork. They were told quite firmly buy The Man of The House to keep moving.

Ben August 1, 2009 (7:45 am)

The came by our place on 36th and Dawson last night. The poor guy looked hot so we gave him a bottle of water but that’s the furthest we went towards helping him “get his life back on track”.

Michael August 1, 2009 (8:54 am)

http://www.komonews.com/news/51330712.html

c August 1, 2009 (9:30 am)

I bought a magazine from them last year. What they don’t tell you until you are writing the check is that they charge you to ups the magazine to you! I started to rip up the check and said he said he would take that part out of his own money.

I still get the magazine but it comes in my mailbox not ups.

sawthem2 August 1, 2009 (9:39 am)

Door to door solicitations should be against the law.
“That’s all I got to say about that.”
fr. F.G.

Katy L August 1, 2009 (9:39 am)

My experience with DC Sales last summer led to nothing but trouble. Very similar story–two young folks, a girl allegedly from rural Louisiana,a boy allegedly from Cabrini Green project in south Chicago, selling magazine subscriptions. She was sweet and quiet, he was charming and very charismatic. The subscriptions were all $75 or more, so instead I donated a check to their organization for $25.
As soon as I left I regretted writing the check. As fate would have it, a few hours later a friend who lives about 5 blocks away said she found my check (and a neighbor’s) ripped to pieces and scattered all over her front yard. I immediately called the bank to alert the bank and close my acount.
The next day my husband, two kids and I spent 2+ hours at the bank closing and reopening ALL of our accounts, and doing everything we could to prevent identity theft. Fortunately, nothing bad ever happened with our accounts.
It was a hard lesson but could have been a lot worse. I will NEVER again open my door to this or any other organization–legit or otherwise. My best advice is to donate to worthy causes you know are legitimate and are of your choosing. Don’t be pressured or manipulated by the door-to-door tactic.
Furthermore, it’s a safety issue to open your door to strangers. You don’t have to open your door to anyone. It might feel rude but they’ll get over it, and you’ll be a lot safer. Plus it discourages door-to-door sales if we all start doing it.

LyndaB August 1, 2009 (12:02 pm)

I had an enoounter last year during the summer from a local group. I can’t remember exactly but the fellow was telling me how he was turning his life around etc. He was asking for a donation and I said I don’t give out money without knowing more about the organization. So I insisted he give me a flyer so I could look it up. Even the college kids downtown from Save the Children, I say the same thing or ask them about a website. He reluctantly did but I also never donated. I choose to do this in my own way on my own terms.

Sarah August 1, 2009 (4:05 pm)

A young man just came to my door asking if I wanted to buy some meat or chicken – much cheaper and better than Safeway he said. When I said ‘no thank you’, he said no problem, and was picked up by a small white truck with “Home Meat Delivery” on it and drove off. Is this legit? Any one know anything about it? I live in the Admiral area close to Hiawatha

JH August 1, 2009 (4:49 pm)

Sarah, I was just on here to post about that and saw yours! They were just at my house too. Three males in the truck with Oregon plates. Actually, they were kind of funny and didn’t make me nervous, though I’m always suspicious by nature and thru my job…I’m near Schmitz Park. Seems a little weird. I mean, who would buy meat off an unknown truck?????

Mike August 1, 2009 (5:07 pm)

We just had the same white toyota tacoma pickup and kid stop by our house. When I asked why he was coming through out alley way he kept asking the same thing, if we wanted some meats and to support some people trying to make a living. I told him no we are not interested and asked again why he came through our alley way.

He then left and left our gate open. I followed them out and tried to follow them down the street but they took off rather fast, not stopping at any other houses.

Highly sketchy to be selling meats from a pickup.