Got a note from a reader wishing to alert others of a recent “magazine sales for college” pitch they received at their home in Upper Nazareth.
A young woman, who appeared to be early college age, came to our house selling magazine subscriptions. Said she was trying to raise money for her college education. She claimed to live locally. The company wasn’t any that we’d heard of from other young people in our neighborhood who sell things from time to time for sports, school or scouts.
The selling technique was to use another neighbor’s name, say she was sent over by that other neighbor, and mention something about them so you’d feel it was okay to purchase a subscription from her.
Please ask people to be aware and not to necessarily believe what might seem to be a legitimate story. Upper Nazareth Police did come to our neighborhood (two different neighbors called). The young woman was not local and she did not have a permit (as she claimed).
Also of concern in these situations is if the person is invited into the home, or if an elderly person is home alone they may be ‘convinced’ to purchase something they really had no interest in buying. Typically, these ‘students’ are paid on a commission of sales.
6 comments:
We got the same pitch last month. Kid claimed to be a struggling college student who would do work for money, but if we had no work "would you please buy some magazines?" Claimed the neighbor had bought something and gave them our name. (He then dropped my name at the next house, I later found out). The funny part is that they did not coordinate very well, and another guy came an hour later with the same story, claiming to be the same kid. Unfortunately, my wife answered the door, so I didn't get the chance to call him a moron.
We got the same pitch two years ago, too. It must work on enough people that they keep it up. Really slimy tactics.
Is a permit required for soliciting in the Borough?
I would think so, but I'm not 100% certain. Of course they won't know either, so tell them it is.
I got a note from a reader in LN who said that the Colonial Regional Police will respond and run the names of the individuals as they are often either runaways or have outstanding warrants/juvenile court issues.
We had a bunch of these saleskids in LN last year. The first one made me nervous. He showed me an ID card that I guess he assumed no one would ever read. It said stuff like "Eyes: 2" and "Height: short." I closed the door on him quickly and called the police.
After that, there was a whole slew of them, some more convincing than others. One said he lived in the neighborhood and his mom worked at a hospital. If you didn't want to buy a magazine, you could donate a book to the children at the hospital. I had never seen this kid around the neighborhood, but when he mentioned that he had talked to my neighbor, Bob, who had told him to stop by my house because I'm a really nice person. Something just didn't seem right, but in case I was wrong and he was genuine, I didn't want to be rude and close the door on him.
It was while I was listening to him that I came up with my response, which I now use with door knockers as well as telemarketers: "I only buy things or give donations to people I personally know." There's often silence as they try to figure out how to respond to that. Enough time to say "good bye," and hang up. Don't fall for the scammers!!
A permit is definetly needed in upper nazareth. The police department told me that unless it is a religious organization.
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