Door-to-door concern: Legitimate ‘wreath-maker’?

| Arbor Heights | Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

Not a solicitor, but somebody going door-to-door – and just maybe, publishing a worried WSB’er’s tale will lead to reassurance that this was legit. Or not. Read on:

I am usually quite cautious with solicitors but I uncharastically let me guard down today when this nice but sketchy looking man smoking a cigarette knocked on my door this afternoon.

Before I opened the door I asked who it was and he said a neighbor, from down the street. I opended the door and he had a black lab (with a scarf around his neck) & asked me if he could come back and cut holly branches off my tree for wreaths he was making for a Northwest Harvest Auction. I didn’t recogonize him but not only did I say sure, come by anytime but I gave him my name. It would be nice to believe that he was a nice man doing a nice thing but I just don’t trust people anymore unless I really know them. I regret the whole encounter.

He said his black lab was Lucy and his name was Leroy. White male 6ft, standard build, dirty blonde beard, NW Construction worker look. I am so suscipious of his intentions and now so worried about if and when he comes back. Please post to warn the Arbor Heights neighborhood. I hestitate to give my exact location but I’m on 98th between 37th and 39th Ave SW.

Foolish Arbor Heights Neighbor

Deborah Squires November 7, 2011 (6:41 am)

I am the Director of Community Engagement at Northwest Harvest. Our policy is to not allow people to go door-to-door soliciting anything–money, food, etc.–in our name. That said, we do get donations from many people and sources that we aren’t aware of beforehand. We’re grateful for the support because the need to feed the hungry is so great. That said, you are always welcome to check with me, deborahs@northwestharvest.org, to see if it’s something we know about and have approved. If you are approached for something even as innocuous as holly branches, I would recommend asking a few questions — the name of the group doing the fundraiser, etc.

Rebecca November 7, 2011 (11:51 am)

What a sad state of affairs our city is in. I generally say that people should trust their guts, but this neighborhood seems to believe that anyone who would knock on a door is doing so for shady reasons. I’m surprised people opened their doors for trick-or-treaters. Didn’t they see that those little weirdos were up to no good?

Lisa November 7, 2011 (2:05 pm)

I live in Arbor Heights and I’m not worried. I was once going to ask a neighbor if I could trim a branch so I could make an Easter tree. I never got around to it, but I hope they wouldn’t have been worried if I had asked!

Jim P. November 7, 2011 (2:34 pm)

“but this neighborhood seems to believe that anyone who would knock on a door is doing so for shady reasons”

And it is amazing how often they are correct. The number of legitimate door to door people these days is minimal.

And as I have pointed out before: They are interrupting you. If they did not set up an appointment, they are intruding and I feel no particular obligation to be polite to someone who interrupts me for a commercial purpose.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to check someone’s bona fides when they show up unannounced.

A known or recognizable neighbor calling on me is not the same as a stranger.

It’s my time, my home and my safety, I will do with them as I please.

If I guess wrong, I may miss the “opportunity of a lifetime”. I suspect I will survive. If you guess wrong, you may miss the rest of your life.

sophista-tiki November 7, 2011 (3:57 pm)

its not like holly trees are rare around here. If the guy wanted to he could have easily found some to snag branches from without bothering anyone.

Seolaloop November 7, 2011 (6:36 pm)

I think the point was to see if this guy was legit. Your concerns are clearly valid considering all the car prowlers and breakins of late. It is good to ask. Have you asked the neighbors that you actually know in your neighborhood?

Nick November 7, 2011 (9:17 pm)

Sounds a little paranoid

Pam November 8, 2011 (6:07 am)

“its not like holly trees are rare around here. If the guy wanted to he could have easily found some to snag branches from without bothering anyone.”

So you’d rather have him steal them from someone than politely ask? I commend him for his honesty in asking.

Jim P. November 8, 2011 (4:28 pm)

“I commend him for his honesty in asking.”

You assume the question was honest and that gathering boughs was his true objective. Did he have a saw, pruners or whatever you use on these things? A basket or other means of carrying more than one or two?

It’s not paranoia to assume there are bad people out there. That’s why we put locks on our doors: Common sense, not paranoia.

Sorry, comment time is over.