The Southwestern Company Internship Difference Blog
Often times, I run across consumer warnings from a Better Business Bureau serving a particular area regarding traveling sales crews. They often identify some of the dispicable business practices being utilized by the traveling sales crews and the rip-off carnage left in their wake.
This particular warning from February 2009 comes out of Wakulla County, Florida (in Northwest Florida), entitled “Better Business Bureau Warns of Scammers Posing as Magazine Solicitors.”
Southwestern Company and other reputable direct selling companies work hard for their positive reputation and to maintain a high BBB rating. This notice identifies three different traveling sales crews peddling magazine subscriptions, each of which have an “F” rating in the BBB’s new national rating system. They are Great Lakes Circulation, Inc., LLS (Lonestar Subscriptions) and Flord Agency.
The warning further mentions several themes not only consistent between the three traveling sales organizations mentioned above, but consistent with van crews nationwide. Included, is the use of youths who make untrue claims in order to obtain the empathy of the person whom they solicit. According to BBB files, “the organizers of these crews may falsely present themselves as charitable and civic-minded groups.” In many documented cases, including complaints to the BBB, the company’s turn out to be for-profit, keeping the money given to them in exchange for a subscription, part of which was promised to be donated – but never is.
What I really like about the BBB notice to consumers is the recognition that there are “legitmate youth fundraisers.” In essence, they are saying, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. Be sure to ask questions to know the difference.
It also encourages consumers to check on the general well-being of the young person at their door. This is very important if you have a young person you suspect is part of a traveling sales crew. They may be in need of help or are just plain scared.
The sad reality is this: the young person is simply being taken advantage of – even more so than the consumer for which they are, in turn, taking advantage of (by conning into purchasing magazine subscriptions through false pretenses). It’s a vicious cycle of lies – from the company and crew leaders to the youth to the unsuspecting consumer.
If selling magazines door to door was such a scam, we would all be in jail by now.
Jena – I appreciate your feedback. Going to jail is only a consequence of two things: getting caught and doing something unlawful. Selling magazines door-to-door is not against the law, scammng people, selling unethically, or not having the proper permit is. If this is something you have done and you have done so by following the local law, I thank you for doin git the “right” way. Unfortunately, many door-to-door magazine crews choose to do it the wrong way.
Jena – I appreciate your feedback. Going to jail is only a consequence of two things: getting caught and doing something unlawful. Selling magazines door-to-door is not against the law, scammng people, selling unethically, or not having the proper permit is. If this is something you have done and you have done so by following the local law, I thank you for doing it the “right” way. Unfortunately, many door-to-door magazine crews choose to do it the wrong way.
what do you do if they seem reputable, but then after you have givin them money(cash, not check) then later see that they are not.. but only have days to cancel the transaction, but it takes that long, or longer, for the cancel order to get there?