How to How to Handle Traveling Magazine Sales Crews
All over the country, traveling sales crews go door to door to sell magazine subscriptions under the guise of being local youngsters. They claim your purchase will help them win a trip, earn a scholarship or benefit a charity--but the only benefit is to their company. Your magazines may never show up, and the contact information on your receipt will prove false. To prevent this scam, you must be assertive and say no.
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Instructions
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Recognizing the Sales Crews
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When someone comes to your door claiming to be a neighbor or local student, make them verify their claims. If they claim to be from a local school, ask for their teacher's name and other information. If they claim to be home-schooled, ask for their address and parents' phone number. If they provide vague information, it's a red flag. If they won't give the information, say "I'm not interested" and end the conversation.
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Don't let the salesperson into your home. Sales crew members are good at working their way in the door by using flattery or asking if they can use the bathroom or have a drink of water. Don't feel bad for saying no. You are under no obligation to let a stranger into your home, and you could endanger yourself by doing so. At best, it adds to the pressure to buy. At worst, you could be setting yourself up for criminal activity.
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Know your local door-to-door solicitation laws. In most municipalities, it is either illegal or requires a permit, which magazine crews rarely have. If a salesperson pressures you, tell them that you are reporting them to the police.
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Tips & Warnings
If you buy a magazine subscription from a traveling sales crew, even in the rare case that you actually receive your magazines, you'll still have overpaid for the subscription. In addition to the already inflated price, they add on a "service charge." If you're really interested in a magazine, order your subscription from a legitimate company.
Loss of money is not the only risk you could face from traveling magazine sales crews. There have been instances of rape, robbery, assault and even murder. Use the same caution with these salespeople as you would with any other stranger at your door. Don't be caught off guard because of their claims to be neighbors or local students.
