the Better Business Bureau | Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2003 12:00 am
In spite of the fact that consumers rarely receive a door-to-door sales call any more, you may still have young people coming to your door selling magazine subscriptions.
The Natrona County Better Business Bureau wants consumers to know their rights and responsibilities when it comes to considering such a purchase. It can be unnerving to face a young salesperson, especially if they state that the sales will help them with school, a contest or go to a worthy cause
The BBB advises consumers to keep this checklist in mind when dealing with magazine sales crews:
* All salespeople should promptly and truthfully identify themselves, their company and their product to a prospective customer. If the salesperson does not, then the customer should ask and not feel pressured into purchasing from someone who is not up-front about the company they work for.
* In many towns, door-to-door solicitation is illegal; some require door-to-door salespeople to inform the local police department when they are in town. If you have doubts about an individual who comes to your door, call the local police or sheriff's department to check them out. Also, salespeople should not contact you after dark.
* Consider whether the cost is really a deal. In some cases, the subscription price is inflated to cover commissions, or to pay for contest prizes. For example, if the salesperson says that you will pay only $12 quarterly for a monthly magazine, the customer must realize that he or she is paying $48 annually, or $4 per issue for a magazine that may be available elsewhere for much less.
* Understand that if the cost of the subscription(s) is more than $25, the Federal Trade Commission's "Three Day Cooling Off Rule" applies and you automatically have three business days to cancel, but you MUST cancel in writing and be sure your letter is postmarked within the three business days.
* A salesperson should explain the terms and conditions for returning a product or canceling an order.
* Receipts and contracts should show the name of the sales representative and the company name, address and telephone number. If these documents do not, then the customer should demand that this information be included. If the magazine or product being sold is represented as being sanctioned by a school or charitable organization, the representatives should have proof of their association.
Whenever possible, check out a company before doing business with them.
Don't fall for high-pressure sales tactics or stories designed to appeal to your heartstrings instead of your common sense. In Wyoming, call your BBB at (800) 564-0371 or visit www.rockymtn.bbb.org.