Don't fall for door-to-door sales scams

KNOCK, KNOCK.. your MONEY is at steak!

I came in this morning to an email from a viewer who described herself as college educated, but gullible, and now very embarrassed! She says she was ripped off last Friday for more than $200 by two “very pushy” men going door to door selling meat in the Raleigh/Wake Forest area! They offered to pack her freezer for her. When she checked later on, she realized the meat had “no labels…could have been horse meat. And, of course, it was HORRIBLE.” The men left “fast” without leaving a receipt or any paperwork. She wrote, “I am completely embarrassed, but I do not want this happening to others. Please remind people.”

So here’s the reminder: While some companies offer the convenience of home delivery at competitive prices for quality foods, door-to-door sales of low-quality meats at inflated prices is a decades-old SCAM! The scammers take your money and run! REPUTABLE companies have a local sales office with a published price list that includes their address and phone number. And checks should be made out to the company, not an individual. You do have some rights with door-to-door sales. Provided you have the company’s contact information, you can cancel your in-home purchase within three business days (Saturdays count!). Make that cancellation in writing.

Better yet – and please share this with elderly family members, friends and neighbors – when you get a knock on the door from someone trying to sell something, take his or her business card and tell them you’ll call them back if you want to do business. That will keep you from bowing to the pressure of someone standing at your door and give you time to do some research!