Door To Door Sales Scams On The Rise
MIAMI (CBS4) - A knock at the door recently interrupted Gretchen Kennedy while she was working at home.
When she opened it, she said two young men were on her door step.
"The said that they were selling magazines and I said I wasn't interested, I decline several times," said Kennedy.
Kennedy said she eventually changed her mind after the pair said the money would go to help charter schools. The magazine, however, never arrived and when she complained, the company never responded.
Carrie Hurt with the Better Business Bureau said they've received more and more complaints about these types of scams.
"They will normally try to pull at your heart strings," said Hurt, "But instead pull at your purse strings."
Door to door sales complaints have more than doubled according to the agency. In 2010, they received 600 complaints; last year it grew to 1300 and this year is on track to top that number.
Most of the complaints center around products ordered never being delivered and aggressive, high pressure sales tactics. Products being pitched include everything from security systems and meat to cosmetics and cleaning supplies.
It turns out that the company which conned Kennedy has received more than 170 complaints.
"I was angry that I was duped," said Kennedy.
Hurt said if someone knocks on your door trying to sell you something, ask for their business card and then research the company and its products before you decide to buy anything. Tell them you'll call them back if you want to do business with them.
