Summer may bring unscrupulous magazine peddlers
Better Business Bureaus across the nation receive thousands of complaints each year from consumers who have purchased magazine subscriptions from door-todoor sales crews. Last year nearly 2,500 complaints about door-to-door magazine sellers and dealers were filed by U.S. consumers.
Unscrupulous door-todoor salespeople are best known for their sales pitches, which typically include some tale of hardship. Some claim to be students working their way through college. Others will say their work goes to help at-risk youth. These stories often pull at the heartstrings of benevolent consumers looking for some way to help. Sadly, their good deeds usually end up costing them hundreds of dollars for subscriptions to magazines that never arrive.
With the summer months fast approaching, the warm weather is sure to bring an eager group of door-knockers peddling magazines to your door. This season, the BBB of greater Houston recommends the following tips about how to handle door-to-door magazine sellers:
Listen carefully and be aware of high-pressure sales tactics. Shady doorto-door sellers often will put pressure on you to close the deal at that moment. Listen to their tone. Are they increasing in volume as they speak to you? Are they ignoring you despite saying you are not interested? Find a way to end the conversation quickly to avoid long, drawn-out sales pitches. Don’t be swayed by hard-luck tales.
Stand strong. Never invite unsolicited salespeople into your home. If you are not interested in making a purchase, ask the salesperson to leave. If the salesperson refuses to leave, threaten to call the police and follow through if they don’t leave immediately.
Verify the individual and the company. If you are interested in buying from a door-to-door seller, get everything in writing including price, warranty and all conditions. Tell the salesperson you will check it out and get back to him or her. Ask for a business card and contact information. Look the company up yourself and check to verify this person is an employee. Also, take the time to check out the company’s BBB Business Review at www.bbbhouston.org.
Know your rights. The Federal Trade Commission’s Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule gives the customer three days to cancel purchases more than $25 that are made in their home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business. Along with a receipt, salespeople should include a completed cancellation form that customers can send to the company to cancel the agreement. By law, the company must give customers a refund within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice. It’s important to note, however, that not all magazine sellers follow the law.
Victims of fraudulent magazine sales can file a complaint at www.bbbhouston. org, local law enforcement and the attorney general’s office. You can obtain more information on the BBB website or by contacting our call center at 713-868-9500.