Gack- door to door salesmen...
I got duped at my front door yesterday. Read that as: Heather couldn’t follow her usual plan of running away when the door-to-door salesman shows up, and she blew $21.
Here’s the scene:
Late yesterday afternoon. My hammock. Front porch.
I’m in Reading Land, which means I’m so deep into a novel that I’ve forgotten my name is Heather, that I live in Michigan, and that I have two dogs badly in need of a walk.
Now, if you read novels then you know that often, when you’re pulled abruptly out of Reading Land (by the sound of a knocking door), then you’re disoriented upon your return to Real Life.
Well, that’s what happened.
A door-to-door salesman was knocking on my front door, right next to me. He didn’t see me, and I hadn’t even heard him walk up the porch.
I managed to smother my inward lurch of annoyance and stood up, smiling.
He was friendly and non-threatening. He explained he was selling coupon books, and that a portion of the profits all went to a wounded soldier’s fund.
“If you look, you’ll see there are lots of great coupons in there, all from local businesses, that will save you money,” he said, flipping through the book.
I managed to catch a glimpse of a free oil change, $10 off Papa John’s Pizza, $10 off Stone Fire Grill.
Ok, I’m thinking. Just two of those coupons will cover the cost of the book. It’s a good deal! And, it’s going to charity.
So, I pay the man and he walks off.
My Mistakes
After he left I crawled back into the hammock to take a look at the coupons and see how much money I’m going to start saving. And very quickly, I’m not a happy girl.
First of all, every coupon has a condition. That is, if you want to get $10 off at Papa John’s, you have to spend $25. If you want to get $10 at the local grocery store, you have to spend $150. That free oil change? You have to buy an oil filter to get it.
Now, for larger families spending $25 at Papa John’s might be a regular affair. In my house it’s just me and A, and we’ve never spent more than $8 there. And I’ve sure never bought $150 in groceries at one whack.
The more I looked at the coupons, the more I realized that we wouldn’t, or couldn’t, use most of them.
Another thing is the soldier fund. Want to know how much they get?
A measly $1 from every coupon book.
I started to feel very, very guilty for not sending this guy on his way. Not good.
Dealing With Coupon Book Salespeople
Yes, I made some serious mistakes yesterday. And not only did it cost me $21, it also made me disappointed in myself. Usually I make good decisions that I don’t regret. But I sure regret not listening to that tiny inner voice that was whispering to send him packing.
I have a hard time saying no to people.
Anyway, here are the lessons I learned from yesterday’s class at the School of Hard Knocks:
Lesson 1: Ask For Credentials or Documentation
I ended up paying this man with my credit card. Not through a machine, that is. He wrote out my number, and gave me a receipt.
Dumb of me, right? Big time.
This guy could have been anyone. I didn’t ask to see any ID, or credentials, from the company he worked for. That’s probably my biggest mistake. Because now he’s got my credit card number.
I’m sure he’s fine. After all, these are legit coupons from valid local businesses. But still. It was not smart of me to pay with credit card to a stranger, and not get any ID.
Lesson 2: Read the Fine Print
If I would have read the fine print about all those “conditions” yesterday, I never would have wasted the money on the coupon book.
Lesson 3: Don’t Be Afraid To Cut Off the Salesperson To Ask Questions
The guy yesterday didn’t schmooz per say, but he did talk fast. I should have asked him outright how much of the proceeds actually went to charity. But talking to him was almost like being in some kind of short-lived tornado. I didn’t even think about it.
Lesson 4: Don’t Be Afraid To Say “No”
This is a tough one for me. But after my anguish over yesterday’s debacle, I’m resolving to tell people “NO” much more often.
Missionaries and Kerby salespeople, watch out. You’re next.
Last Word…
Well, you can bet I sure learned some hard lessons yesterday. And, it wasn’t fun. But the bright note is that I did learn them. And perhaps if I hadn’t, the next salesmen would have been an actual scammer instead of just a guy selling overpriced coupon books.
So, this is a good thing.
What about you? Have you ever gotten roped in at your front door? If so, what lessons did you learn?
I’d love to hear them, and share them with other readers.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
In college my roommate and I bought almost the same thing, but we got a 35 mm camera and a roll of film out of the deal. We split the cost of the coupon book, she took the camera and took the roll of film, low and behold the camera didn’t work, the film came out black, she lost by having to pay to get the film developed and we never used any of the coupons, they all had conditions. We paid $10, that was alot for college students, the charity was a fraternity. I think they copied the coupons on a copier and stapled them together. Never again have I bought a coupon book from anyone. We get hit up at work for donations to orphan foreign children, advertising in mega sized sports calendars, advertising in books, donations to charities we don’t know anything about. We have to say no or we would never make money. We have to remember we are a FOR PROFIT company. We pick three charities a year to support and when people ask us to donate to others, we say sorry we have our chosen chairty for the year, but leave your information, we choose three charites every year and we can add your name to the list for next year. Many will just walk away and not leave any information, the legit ones will leave contact information. Never give your credit card, check your cc, you may have the right to cancel within three days or put a hold on the cc transaction. I would definately be watching for any suspicious charges on your cc.
A non-profit group I’m in has sold the books before. If it makes you feel any better, once they sell a certain number they get like $5 a coupon book out of the $21. At least, that’s how ours worked.
I NEARLY did the same thing and bought it. Luckily, I was selling the things at a booth and started reading the fine print. I think they’re more practical for families, but for a couple it just doesn’t work. Totally agree.
(May check up on the credit card in a few days, just to make sure nothing else got charged!)
@Christy: I’ve been wondering if I can call my bank and stop the transaction. I might give it a go and just see what they say.
@Ashley: you’re right, I think for bigger families many of the coupons would pay off. But for just us, they don’t. Doh! Thanks for the advice like Christy, to check my CC. I’m definitely going to keep an eye out and call the bank today.
Funny that you mention Kirby vacuum salesman…they offer free carpet cleaning, but once they are in the door it is had to say no when they make you realize how dirty your carpets really are. I’ll admit that they are decent vacuums, but I wonder how much of the price goes for paying salespeople.
I have to say something since I used to sell books door to door to earn money to go to college. (Real books, not coupon books.) My school matched the proceeds 50% plus I got to keep 50% of what I earned during the summer, so it was like I had about 75% proceeds on each sale. We had the appropriate permits, receipts, and everything.
However, not all people going door-to-door are as honest and well-meaning as the program that I sold for. Once, I bought a book from some door-to-door salesman, and I thought it was a little bit of a steep price, but decided to help the guy out. He then proceeded to rip off one of my friends a couple of doors down by charging WAY more than what she would have paid in a bookstore. It was a mess, but eventually I believe she got her money back.
As a rule, I don’t buy from people who are dressed sloppily, and are “begging” for points for their school system, or don’t sell something that I will use (of course!) etc. And also, I only pay with cash or check. I don’t think I would do credit card.
I would say it is wise to be cautious and discerning of people who sell door-to-door, but please do give honest and reasonable people with useful, quality wares a chance. There are many different sales programs, and not all are made alike. Definitely ask questions and think before you buy. But just because someone IS selling door-to-door doesn’t mean they are a snake-oil sales person!
We just don’t give donations or buy anything from anyone who comes to the door (or calls us on the phone) with the exception of local school children. The sales people have never showed up at my door with an item I actually need. With the local kids I am just as likely to give them a donation as to buy what they are selling.
Hi Heather, long time no speak…er…comment?
This is a great article; it’s the fact that someone that’s been so on top of being careful with finances like you, can still end up in these sorts of situations that makes this article so important to read. We all make mistakes and learn from them, but it’s even better when you can prevent someone from making the same mistake by writing out a post like this one, so thanks for it!
@Joelle- You bring up some great points. Definitely not everyone that sells door-to-door are dishonorable scammers. I’ve bought Girl Scout cookies and supported school fundraising drives thanks to enterprising kids that come knocking! But, a think a large majority of adult salespeople do use some “questionable” sales tactics (like fast talking) to get you to buy.
At any rate, I’ve definitely learned to be more cautious. I’m still going to support local community fund drives, but I’ll definitely give everyone a thorough once-over before I buy (with cash or check! No more credit cards!)
@Aya- Hey! It’s great to hear from you!
Thanks for the praise; I really do hope that other people won’t end up duped like I was. It wasn’t really the $21, it was more the fact that I felt like I didn’t have control, and I didn’t stop and THINK about what I was doing. Arg. Ah well, lesson learned!
Heather, dear…
There are two more rules you forgot to mention.
Rule Number #5: Post a LARGE “We SHOOT Salesmen” sign on your front porch.
Rule Number #6: Hang a loaded shotgun immediately under that sign…
I guarantee that after you shoot the first one, you won’t get any more! Worked for us!
Ronin
Ronin,
Have you been to my dad’s house in Louisiana? That sounds eerily like his front porch…
If you’re stalking me, again, I’m going to get upset.
Ahem…
I never go to Louisiana… Crazy people live there. People who suck the heads off crawfish. They even eat catfish. Ewww!
And I never “stalk.” I “hunt.”
Now go get Lavendar out of your basement… Hanging people in the basement isn’t nice. I called the cops!
You’ve been warned.
Ronin
Just after the US Govt. started bailing out the banks and people were losing thier life savings from investment fraud, A sales person walked up to my door one Saturday with a laptop computer opened and a thick wad of papers. It turned out to be an investment sales person and he asked me to place my life savings with his investment firm. How crazy is that? All the newspapers and TV news stations were screaming about investment fraud and this guy is going door to door asking for people money. I kind of felt sorry for him. After a short 10 second schpeel about his company I cut him off and said no. I wasn’t nasty or mean about it just firm and smiling. I also did not ridicule him or rant about what the investment inudstry just did to millions of people who now have less money. I think he might have gotten the message as I closed the door in his face.
Wow, Elgog….
You’re a much better person than I. I’d have whacked him on his noggin, and gotten a free laptop out of the deal!
I’m chiming back in because a girl showed up on my doorstep today, selling “Entertainment Books.” I talked to her for about 5 minutes, and she told me all about how she’d been arrested the week before, for “going door-to-door without a permit.”
Somebody called the cops, and she actually went to jail. The judge dropped the case, the next day, but she got free lodgings in the county jail for a night out of it.
I guess maybe I’ll have to start being nicer to those poor peddlers. I suppose that they don’t exactly have it easy! But around here, they have a great health plan. You see, around here, most of us have big dogs…
You’d be amazed at how fast they can run, carrying those vacuum cleaners on their backs, with a mad dog nipping at their heels!
Ronin