Door-to–Door
Magazine Sales Scams
Beware of emotional appeals by someone selling
door-to-door. For example, the student selling
magazine subscriptions using the appeal that your
sale will help him/her get a college scholarship or
other such rewards.
If you buy from a door-to-door salesperson in your
home, and the purchase is more than $25, you're
protected under the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule. The Rule
gives you three days to cancel your order and
receive a full refund. The seller must tell you that
you have a right to cancel, and give you a summary
of your cancellation rights and two copies of the
cancellation form. Ask to see the required
cancellation notice before you agree to buy. If the
salesperson doesn't have it, don't place an order.
The company is breaking the law.
Sales techniques vary. The FTC says consumers should
question approaches that feature:
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Salespeople who
encourage you to buy without giving you your
total costs. For example, a salesperson may
offer magazines for just a few dollars a week.
That could sound like a bargain - until you do
the math. You could end up paying hundreds of
dollars over several years for subscriptions
that sell elsewhere for less. |
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Salespeople who
tell you magazines are "free" or "pre-paid" for
you and that you'll be charged only a
"processing fee." The fee may be more than the
retail price of the magazine subscription.
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Salespeople who
don't identify themselves as such or who may not
give you the name of their company. They may
lead you to believe they represent magazine
publishers, or that they're soliciting for
reasons other than selling subscriptions.
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Be wary. This may
be a scam. Use the following tips to protect
yourself. |
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Get the name and
phone number of the company for which the
salesperson is working. If they are reluctant to
provide the information or can’t provide it,
that’s a red flag that they may be a scam
artist. |
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Once you get the
name and phone number, check with the local
business licensing agency to ensure that the
salesperson is legally selling door to door in
that locality. |
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Postpone the actual
purchase until the following business to allow
for the above check and for checks with the
Nevada Consumer Affairs Division and/or the
Southern Nevada Better Business Bureau regarding
prior complaints. |
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Never allow the
solicitor into your residence. |
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Never conduct
door-to-door transactions at night. |
Sources:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/tmarkg/magzn.shtm
and the Nevada
Consumer Affairs Division
