Received two reports tonight about what may be affiliated solicitors – read on:
First, from WSB Forums member Hopey:
I received a visit from a young man at my door this evening. I live in Admiral close to Madison Middle School. He was probably about 17 or 18, dressed very nicely (with a tie, even!) and had a pat speech about selling magazines to raise money for “La Familia”, a youth services organization. I told him we were about to sit down for dinner, so I asked if he had something I could read and respond to later. He said no, but pulled out a laminated packet of information which also said “La Familia” at the top. Since he had such a nice packet of info, I asked if I could see his door-to-door license. He acted a little too incredulous when he replied “We need to have a license? In Seattle?!” He indicated that they fundraise here “every year” and that he would be continuing his work tomorrow night, with a wave of his hand indicating further north and west in Admiral. Since he did not have a license, I politely sent him on his way. He seemed harmless enough, not like he was casing homes or anything. No clue if “La Familia” is a legit organization or not.
Then CE left this comment on an older story:
We live near Dakota & 45th and encountered a gentleman, black 5′9″ well dressed with a star tattoo on the right side of his neck selling magazine subscriptions and books. This happened today, 9/13/10 just before 5pm. He was not displaying any business license (which I read later is required). He did have some sales paraphernalia stuffed in the back of his belt. He presented me with his laminated official written statement. The man said he was with La Familia, an organization that helps promote business education and training and was working his way up. My husband came home while he was giving his spiel and I was choosing the book to buy to help him out from his list of options. It was an expensive book and then there were sur-charges and it became very expensive. My husband wrote the check and he completed the transaction with the gentleman. We were given a receipt with the business name La Familia Sales, Inc at 5775 Soundview Dr., Suite 103C Gig Harbor, WA 98335. The man was not rude, but I did feel like he was a bit too slick. He told us that he was 2 weeks out of his training and had a sad story for me that he was out of the army and had a son to support and that is why he was working with La Familia. After reading other comments here and not being able to find any website locally or a business associated with the address given, we (obviously) became concerned. My husband put a stop-payment on the check and I tried to file a police report, but nothing really to report outside of that the man may have been misrepresenting himself and did not have a business license for door-to-door sales displayed. Wanted to post here to at least document for neighbors what is going on.
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