I am not normally a sucker. I am pessimistic and skeptical and generally a hard sell. Unlike my pussy of a husband, I have no problem saying no to salespeople. I am the one to haggle down car prices or turn down a “once in a lifetime” deal. I pride myself on this.
We live on a main street in Suburbia, USA. The door bell frequently rings with requests to purchase everything from cookies to wrapping paper to insulated mugs. I have no problem simply ignoring the doorbell, but when my three children enthusiastically dash to greet the ringer, it’s tough to pretend we’re not home.
Yesterday, the doorbell rang and I accidentally made eye contact with the young gentleman in blue. Good afternoon, he began in a slight southern drawl, when I begrudgingly opened the door. I’m your neighbor, James, from down the street and I’m selling magazine subscriptions for my school. You’d really be helping us out and as an honor student I get double points on my sales. I worked really hard for this.
We already receive more magazines than I can keep up with I responded, slowing shutting the door. Best of luck, though! Wait, he pushed, if you donate the subscription to a children’s hospital, I get triple the points. Can you do that?
Looking at my healthy and happy children bouncing around, I just couldn’t refuse. The bastard had gotten to me. I forked over my check for $48 as he sat on the stoop filling out the hospital address and quickly walked off. I sighed as I shoved the receipt in the drawer– there was no tax deductible information on the back as he had promised. I had the sinking suspicion that I’d been had.
A few hours later, well after 9, the doorbell rang. A police officer held the check I wrote up to the window and proceeded to tell me that not only was the boy not a legitimate student, but he was part of a bus of New Yorkers who travel around ripping off entire neighborhoods. Those school initials I’d made the check out to were actually his, and apparently he made a killing in our community until he tried the scam with a smart cop.
That lesson is all I need to keep me from ever signing up for one of those deals again. Unless I personally know the seller, I will not be supporting their cause. I mean it. Except, of course, if they’re selling Samoas.
I may be jaded, but I’m not crazy.
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{ 99 comments }
Unless you are a girl scout with my cookies, I won’t even open the door to anyone else!
Wow, that is really scary. I didn’t even know that people did this.
I am the type that does not answer the door either. I prefer to pretend I am not home. We also live in the suburbs and often get solicitors at our door. It annoys the shit out of me.
I am so glad that that little scamming jerk was caught by a smart cop. Like my husband always tells me, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
.-= Stacie´s last blog ..A Big, Giant Cluster F$%k =-.
We’ve had them in our neighborhood before – those magazine sales are almost always scams. :/
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Green Your Bathroom the Cheap and Easy Way =-.
That is AWFUL! I’m glad someone stopped them…this time. Rotten naughty people!
We’ve been in our house for a little over a year and I swear we’ve had more door to door sales people here in that year than all other 12 years of my marriage combined. Yesterday the same guy came by 4 times (I didn’t answer the first three and my husband told him to go away the last time) to sell us bug treatments for the house. SO. Annoying.
.-= Cecily R´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday and The Striped Shirt =-.
I, too, have gotten more in this house over two years than all of my other homes combined. It’s nuts. And I am DONE!
I do not ever answer the door when I am by myself at home with the kids unless I am expecting someone or I recognize a car. I’m sure they too often hear the kids screaming “MOM, someone is at the door!!!”
Oh well.
.-= Missy´s last blog ..A boy, his new fishing pole, and his dad. =-.
That sucks… I am pretty sure I have been scammed here a few times too… they are always selling “lotteries” but you never hear anything afterwards….
Glad you got your money back!
.-= american in Norway´s last blog ..Welcome to Norway! =-.
Was it ACORN?? My husband wanted to know who bussed those people to your neighborhood?
Great catch on the cop’s part! The neighborhood should have a block party for him!
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Anyone know… =-.
I have no idea — he was not forthcoming with any information about them. Super sketchy.
My friend bought a magazine subscription like that a couple years ago for me from a kid that came to her work. The magazine actually came to our house for a full two years. So I suppose sometimes it does work out (though, I’ve met the million word a minute hustlers, too, I’m so glad you got your cash back!).
.-= Lori Z.´s last blog ..Feed Me! =-.
Imagine what could happen in a world if people like that put their cunning to do good instead of ripping people off.
And while your swimming down here in my half of the glass, don’t EVER fall for telephone solicitors either.
.-= SWIRL GIRL´s last blog ..The One With The Top Ten Alternatives for the Title of this Post =-.
THAT, I never fall for. Something about looking them in the eye gets me.
Aw, man, he would have had me convinced to buy magazines, too. Drat.
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..They’re coming after me…because I’m tasty. =-.
That’s a terrible feeling. I’m always the sceptic, too, but when they have a really good story, you just can’t tell the difference with the real thing. I got scammed once, too, because I decided that if it was true, I’d be helping someone in real need. He wasn’t. Still good karma for me, though, I hope. Try to keep your faith in humanity alive.
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..The night I suspected the world might be about to end =-.
Make sure you are getting your Somoas immediately!
I demand that you redact “New Yorkers” and put in “New Jerseyans” instead.
.-= Marinka´s last blog ..The Best Post Ever! =-.
My hubby has also been *had* by a magazine scam. Unfortunately, we did not recover our money.
I remember one time my mom got a call from our neighbor that Jehovah Witnesses were headed our way. She had us all go to the back of the house and sit quietly so they would think we weren’t home.
Yeah, I have never purchased magazines from any person at the door. And now, I will be sure that I never will. Ever.
Um, thanks for being our guinea pig? :-)
.-= Teri´s last blog ..Hi Ho Hi Ho =-.
I used to get tons of magazine sales kids in Texas. Here I only get charity fundraisers or political petitions. I always say “I’d love to find out more about your group, send me a phone number or web site of the business and I’ll call and send money that way.” and the scammers always get really angry when I do this.
Glad a cop found out and you didn’t have to pay the check.
.-= Jensational´s last blog ..Renegade revolution =-.
Scary stuff and it’s not even Halloween yet!
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Today I saw a baby. =-.
Hooray for that awesome police man. I only buy from my friends’ children when it comes to fundraisers/etc.
.-= FireMom´s last blog ..The First and Only Surprise Party I’ll Ever Throw =-.
Wow, that is insane! I am so glad the police came to give you back your cheque. And to use a children’s hospital as a charity in the lie – that’s the worst part. I can’t stand stories like this… sorry, Jill. :(
.-= Loukia´s last blog ..This is it, baby… =-.
So sad…and yucky! (Yucky, being the technical word!)
.-= Ronda’s Rants´s last blog ..The Cutest-Boy-in-America =-.
Sadly, I’ve fallen prey to one of those scammer. All he had to say was that he was a christian raising funds for a local hospital, show me a fake permit from our township and check from my neighbor…and I was hook, line and sinker. Needless to say, they never caught the fraud and I was out nearly $90.
.-= Managed Chaos´s last blog ..Favorite Photo Friday: Daddy’s little girl =-.
They also hit people up in parking lots. And shame on Wal-Mart, because a large percentage of the people collecting in front of their stores are frauds too. I saw lots of this when I worked in law Enforcement. Booooo on them!!! I usually ask them for a way to donate online so I can check it out and donate at my convenience. My daughter’s school magazine sales have online ordering now, so I’d imagine most would….
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..I Married Into Crazy =-.
I’ve been had before too…I had one, great boy, so nice..I went in to write my check, and realized that the amount was more than I could afford at the time…so I wrote it for 1/2 instead…He wasn’t nearly as nice when I told him…I called and cancelled the order that day…
I now say ‘NO’…I have two kids, and they are the only one’s I’m buying from…well, there are my friends kids, but they ususally sell the same stuff!!
I’m putting up a no soliciting sign…I’ve had enough ringing of my doorbell…
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Fitness Fess Up Friday =-.
–>My husband got suckered recently by buying candy so at-risk kids who may get addicted to drugs could go to an amusement park. Um, aren’t those EVERYONE’S KIDS? I told him he was a sucker and next time I would say no I’m not paying $11 for candy that costs less than a $1.
http://www.websavymom.com
.-= Hokie Deb´s last blog ..Oh Captain! My Captain! =-.
Wow. I can’t believe this audacity of this guy. Glad they caught him.
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..43folders:Anthony Burrill – Work Hard and Be Nice to… =-.
I guess there is a benefit to living in a not-so-nice neighborhood. NO ONE goes knocking on doors they dont know, and I sure as heck wont open the door for someone I dont know!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Drugstore Deals 9-13 to 9-19 =-.
Oh man I can’t believe those kids. They give all the honest to god good kids such a bad name. ugh. Sorry you were had – but thank god they caught him.
And me, I’ll take thin mints — every day of the week. When is girl scout season again?!?
.-= christy´s last blog ..Our Soulful Dining Room REVEAL (finally!) =-.
This is why I do not answer the door if I don’t know the person. Well, acually, no it wasn’t, but it sure is now. Glad you got your money back anyway.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..Weekly Winners Vol. 6: Park Edition =-.
UGH! Man that little sh**!! I’m SOOOOOOOOO sick of people ringing our doorbell too. We live in a new development and get too many solicitors. Kirby vacuum cleaners are the worst salespeople!! But I did let them clean my carpet for FREE!!
.-= Erika @MeSoupBlog´s last blog ..a cup of Apples- Make it Monday video =-.
I am so glad the policeman figured it out. You know I would have given a check too. I mean, a hospital donation, how in the world could you say no : )
.-= Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..Deep Thoughts =-.
We have already been hit in our area by this scam so I knew about it. I try not to buy anything at the front door but it is hard because I used to be one of those kids trying to raise the bucks for school fundraisers.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Klepto, Flashback Friday =-.
Warning – horrible story but okay ending
I worked with a man whose daughter had been brutally attacked by a stranger knocking at her door. The first time this guy knocked, she kept the door closed and locked and talked to him through the door. He asked her survey questions and left. A week later he came back and told her he had the results of the survey, did she want to hear them. She thought he was okay and opened the door. He pulled out a knife and stabbed her multiple times. Thankfully she was a nurse and used her knowledge of anatomy to help avoid fatal wounds and she did survive. She was a smart woman and took precautions but still horrible consequences. Scary world, so don’t feel badly that you got ripped off, it just means you’re a trusting person (sometimes, anyway) and I’m glad it wasn’t worse.
.-= Janet Carpenter´s last blog ..Mom Knows It All – Oreck Giveaway =-.
I don’t buy things from anyone selling door-to-door and I don’t make donations either. Hubby and I donate to lots of real charities and we feel that’s the way to do it. We don’t even sell our GS cookies door-to-door. I am glad that you got your money back though. And now people can order crap with just your bank account number too! Scary, scary, indeed!
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Turning…. =-.
Holy cow!! I would have fallen for it too, that’s crazy! I’m glad they caught him. And amen about the samoas, amen.
.-= Susan (woo222)´s last blog ..Hands =-.
Yikes that is scary. How luck you for you that he was caught doing this. I guess many people are scammed this way….
Make sure they have the Samoas in hand though…..
.-= Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com´s last blog ..Phil Coke, I Love You =-.
Wow, it really does pay or should I say save to say no all the time. It just makes me angry when people do stuff like that.
.-= Jen, buried with children´s last blog ..Let’s Go Out To Eat =-.
Scary Mommy meets Scary Bastard. At least he got caught.
.-= Ryan Ashley Scott´s last blog ..They don’t call me Princess for nothin’ =-.
nooo! how wild it that. we never get people knocking on doors around here, they would be shot. it’s just not common at all. I remember though when we lived for a stint in DC there was a lot of those religious freaks knocking on doors–it was scary.
you know you got very lucky to get your money back kiddo.
.-= dawn´s last blog ..sweet potato fries with spicy caramelized onion-horsey dip =-.
Oh my goodness!! I guess if they say they live down the street, we’ll have to start saying “prove it”! I have a no solicitation sign stuck on my door now. It deters “some”. Girl Scouts and other kid fundraisers are ok. They won’t understand what it means anyway.. If I know the kids, I’m definitely going to buy at least a $5 item. But yeah… you really have to pace the buying.
We got suckered into a vacuum cleaner and an educational 3 book set that cost more than one my first cars… Once they’re in, they’re in!
We just don’t let them in anymore, unless we’ve called them ourselves. And when any telemarketer calls, I’m the first the say that I don’t give money over the phone anymore and quickly hang up.
Sorry to any telemarketers out there! That’s me!
.-= Val´s last blog ..Ten years younger =-.
No way! I’ve never heard of such a scam!
I’m like you … I have no problem saying NO to anything. I think the cub scouts and brownies are scared of our house.
.-= Creative Junkie´s last blog ..Sunday regurgitation: ouch, ouch, ouch =-.
How terrible! You wouldn’t think people would sink so low as to play on your sympathies to scam you, but obviously it does happen. Glad you got your check back!! We’ve had the “underprivileged” salesmen come by here peddaling some miracle cleaning stuff several times. Legit or not, the last one flat out lied about having been to my neighbor’s house already – I had saw him coming from the opposite direction. He looked really creepy and made me nervous. No more opening the door for me!!
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..Mail’s here!! =-.
NPR actually did a story on this a while back. Apparently, these kids are little more than indentured servants and are bussed around the country to sell magazines, and get punished if they don’t make their quotas…it sounds like an awful life. Maybe the kids the police caught will get out of that racket and get back on track…
I’m glad you got your money back!
.-= amber´s last blog ..A Virtual Temper Tantrum. =-.
Oh my word. I can’t believe it. I would never have thought that would be a scam.
.-= debbie´s last blog ..Two Truths and a Lie – and maybe some drugs =-.
At our neighborhood watch meeting we were advised to answer the door in case they’re checking if any one is at home before they bust it down. So, learn the phrase “I don’t speak English” in Norwegian and try that next time! Jeg snakker ikke engelsk
.-= Cranky Sarah´s last blog ..Why I rarely talk politics =-.
Yea, I live on a corner and get random people on my doorstep all the time. Angry Police Julie does NOT answer the door. I don’t trust anyone. I’m soo glad that you got your check back.
.-= Julie @ Angry Julie Monday´s last blog ..My Choices for Fall TV =-.
Ahh, best post I’ve read all day.
My husband wants us to get a sign for the front door that reads:
“Solicitors will be shot. Survivors will be shot again.”
It IS Texas, y’know.
.-= Texan Mama´s last blog ..Lord (And Fellow Bloggers) Help Me! =-.
We’ve had the same scammers hit our neighborhood. The exact same ruse. And when you ask them where they live (we have about 450 homes in our neighborhood) they give you a street address on the other side of the neighborhood. There was a big warning on our neighborhood website so I haven’t seen them in a while but it’s amazing to me that they’re as far reaching as YOUR neighborhood – unless of course you’re actually one of my neighbors. The lengths people will go to! Amazing.
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Look Ma! Chocolate Cookies Are Healthy! =-.
Oh no!!! That is awful!!
I agree. Girl scout cookies are the way to go, but I tend to rely on moms with girls that I know and don’t come to my door. hehe.
.-= Kelly Deneen´s last blog ..Saturday night date =-.
I had to SCOLD the little girl I babysit about dashing to the door whenever the doorbell rings. She literally just runs and opens the door before I can even get into the same room. It scares the crap out of me. Someone could literally just open the door and snatch her before I get there. So I had to yell and scare her and I am a terrible person.
But holy crap! I can’t believe that happened to you! So glad you got your money back.
.-= Nel´s last blog ..Cop Out Post Numero Dos =-.
If they are selling something, you can always ask to see their sales license. They HAVE to have one or can be fined or arrested. The only ones who do not need licenses are those for charitable contributions (i.e. Girl Scouts or kids selling wrapping paper for school, etc.) But be suspicious if an adult is selling something for the school.
A good friend of ours is a police officer and lots of these are scams or they are checking the neighborhood for robbing.
I know I totally sound paranoid but better safe than sorry.
Glad you got your check back.
.-= T Rex Mom´s last blog ..Friday Fashion – Outfit of My Choosing =-.
This is what I do at my house. Okay…play along with me.
Ding dong
(I open the door to see a suspicious goon standing before me)
Goon: “Hello ma’m, uh I am…
Me: (rudely cutting him off) ” I don’t speak English!”
Goon: “Uh well I was just…”
Me:”You don’t seem to get it, I don’t speak any English.”
Goon: “Uh..aren’t you speaking English?”
Me:”Well, the words I am speaking are the only English words I know, sorry.”
Then I slam the door and grab the phone poised to call 911
They never come back!
.-= Leigh´s last blog ..Why can’t I be more like Ms. Deschanel? =-.
That’s awesome. I’m remembering that. :)
I never take orders for anything unless i know the person. I always order extra Girl Scout cookies so I can take the girls around to sell door-to-door. “Hi, want cookies? Yes. $3.50 (exchange cash for cookies) thanks, have a good day.” It’s like turning a cookie trick. Fast and impersonal with no strings attached.
OH SNAP!!!! ROLMAO, ‘Pussy of a husband’ hey wait, I have one of them too!!!! Just say NO….. :D
.-= Christine´s last blog ..My nose is growing! =-.
I fell for that from some guy in a Walmart parking lot once… I’m usually NOT a sucker, but that one time… I don’t know what happened. We actually DID get the magazine, though. Three whole issues of it, for something like $36 for 3 years, supposedly. Don’t know what happened to the other 33 months of our subscription.
Shit… I hate those people. They make it hard to be nice to the rest of the world.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Title? Yeah, not today. =-.
That is a great lesson for us all. Know the person you are donating to. Glad for you the little shit got caught.
.-= SeattleDad´s last blog ..Just Plum Helpful =-.
Exactly the same thing is common in Germany, too. Young people will tell you a story and “bang” you’re dumpass of the day.
No need to mention I fell for it, too…
.-= Susanne´s last blog ..The fun-park-day =-.
Those Noo Yawkahs! Can’t ever trust ‘em! ;)
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse: Re-Meet the Beatles =-.
Holy crap! I’ve always been wary of those magazine salespeople. You know the ones who are trying to stay “off the streets”. And they can be very persuasive!
I just remember a time when I was in college and was approached by a magazine salesguy. I told him no several times, but he wasn’t having it. I said, I’m a college student! I have no money!” As I walked off, he said “Bitch.”
So, yeah. No magazines for me. And I’m so glad you got your check back!!
.-= Suzy Voices´s last blog ..Are You Kidding Me???? =-.
We have a problem in our neighborhood with people going door to door selling…carpet cleaning. “Clean one room for free!” they say. Yeah, right. You just want to scope my place out so you can see if we’re worth robbing. Let my 96 pound barking dog escort you right back out into the street. Buh-bye now. I’ve noticed they show up more when the weather is bad too – maybe they want to be invited inside because you feel bad for them?
Yep, I was ripped off by those magazine subscription guys, but it sounds like your money stayed right in your pocket…unlike me. I’m still steaming about it. (And yes, I blogged about it too)
.-= Margaret (Nanny Goats)´s last blog ..Putting the "Boom" Back Into Baby Boomers: El Camino’s 50-Year High School Reunion. =-.
I’ve been duped before and so has Jeff– this time we were spared, but we’ve payed the dues. Assholes.
I’ve been sucker punched this exact same way. I’m such a sucker.
.-= Heather of the EO´s last blog ..Rewriting my name =-.
I really hate it when one sleazy person ruins it for everybody else. That’s a topic my guest post will touch on over at Lil Welsh Rarebit’s blog later this month, actually.
At least you got your money back!
.-= Notesfromthegrove´s last blog ..Not "99 Red Balloons", Just 99 Posts… =-.
Oh now that just stinks, girl. Don’t you just HATE THAT?! I feel sorry for the next person who comes to your door. Hope it is not an innocent girl scout!
.-= JenniferG´s last blog ..I Just Realized That I Will Never Get To Sleep Again =-.
Wow…that guy was an ass! Ripping off families…lying about children’s hospitals receiving magazines…he’s for SURE going to hell!
Glad you got your money back–now you need to save that for the real treasure that comes door to door….Girl Scout Cookies :)
ps–Isabella has started running up to the door yelling “MOMMY!!!” every.single.time our doorbell rings. *sigh* I feel your pain there…
.-= Chelle´s last blog ..Friend Makin Monday… =-.
Ugh! That fucking sucks!!! (Can I say “fucking” in your comments??) No really, that’s awful!
I get those “save the environment” people a lot in our neighborhood. Eventually, I posted two notes in big, bold letters right next to my doorbell. They read, “DO NOT RING THE DOORBELL. SLEEPING BABY, ” AND “NO SOLICITING, NO FUNDRAISING, NO SALES. THANKS!”
So far, so good!
.-= Jessica – This Is Worthwhile´s last blog ..How to remove ink from your couch =-.
Do “no candy” signs work on Halloween in your area? Mine gets your house egged….not sure what you sign would get me, hahah :-)
Though, with the “save your soul” peeps and door to door window installation weirdos coming around these days…I’m tempted to take your advice!
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Trying =-.
Unbelieveable! I’m glad you got the money back! I love telling people that we have no income and I can’t feed my kids. It usually shuts them up.
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..I Heart Faces – Contemplative =-.
We had something like that happen when I was in college. My apartment was not in the most desirable of neighborhoods, so I often ignored the door bell/buzzer. Too many times people had let in random weirdos who just pressed everyone’s buzzer to see who would let them in without question.
Anyway, the door was either broken, or someone let this kid in one day. He knocked on my door…so I answered. He was going door to door looking for donations for Burmese youth. He was not Burmese (you see…I would know because I dated a Burmese guy way back when…weirdly enough he was a monk as a child). I did not donate, smelling something fishy,
A week or 2 later the building was robbed and the same time of day (the same day of the week I think). Yeah, pretty sure little non-Burmese boy was a scout to see who was home (or not) at a particular time. Glad I answered…glad I didn’t donate. My place was not hit, but many of the other units were. Fuckers!!! I was home the whole time it happened too, so freaky.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Trying =-.
Whooo!! You got LUCKY. No more checks for door to door people!
Are you serious? I just wrote out a check for a magazine last week. I’m not even kidding. Ugh!
.-= 3 Stinky Boys and Me´s last blog ..As If Skinny Jeans Weren’t Skinny Enough =-.
I am the biggest sucker around. I would definitley be taken by this one.
.-= Kate Coveny Hood´s last blog ..Esty Shop(ping) Dreams =-.
Soooo….this is not a joke…I’ve been waiting for a cooking magazine from one of those guys for nearly a year.
Ahem.
I’m an idiot.
.-= Mama Kat´s last blog ..You Think You Know, But You Have No Idea =-.
Well, crap. That sucks… probably doesn’t make you feel any better, but good thing you got your money back!
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Conversations in the Car, Vol. V =-.
Gah! One kid has to ruin it for the rest of our kids who actually need to send our kid around to fund raise! Not that I do that because I’m like you and shut the door in everyones face and I totally believe in Karma. Ya know just sayin it for those OTHER people :)
Holy cow, that sucks that happened but I am so glad you shared it with us. We have made it a rule to not even answer the door because of some murders we heard on the news of posers at the door who used scams to get in. BUT if I saw a young kid I might have opened the door still, until NOW. So thanks for reaffirming that the rule we have is a good one. Some people suck!
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Shore is Good Seafood Dip =-.
we get these all the time. a sketchy looking van dumps these kids off at the edge of the neighborhood, right across from our house, and they go door to door. i have NO PROBLEM telling them where to go, how to get there and what they can do with themselves once they arrive.
people piss me off.
.-= cristin´s last blog ..CDH Clinic. =-.
No way. I’m glad that I always say no to magazine subscriptions.
Hey. I live just on the other side of the country. I’m trying to buy a flip phone. If I don’t get one, I might not be able to record my kids. Ever. The contribution fund starts with the initals AL. It’s not tax deductible, but………
Wait. Just send this comment to your husband.
Kidding. Kidding.
Seriously though. So cool that they scammer got busted and you got your check back.
.-= angie´s last blog ..Tuesday’s Tribute =-.
Yikes! I am super paranoid and will take my phone handset to the door and pretend to talk on it when I answer, “Hang on a second officer, there’s a kid at my door.” That either gets them to leave or I’ll pretend to give his discription to my “officer” friend or get his opinion on buying a magazine. I hate people that scam others! (I have been caught giving money to the “friends of police” or something like that. Saw the guy at the end of my neighborhood counting his money and no sticker for me!)
.-= Safire´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to Me! =-.
DDDDDDuuuuddddeeee. Samoas!!!!!!!!!
.-= Minivan Soapbox´s last blog ..I’m The Better Spouse =-.
ARGH!!! we live the same life.
From the husband who can’t say no, to the wanting to pretend you aren’t home, but can’t cuz the kids are banshees.
Though, Hubz answered the door for this one. SAME schtick! He wrote the check, got the receipt, came inside and immediately googled the company on the back. SCAM SCAM SCAM all down the page.
Soooo, he called our bank to put a stop pmt on the check. He thought he was the shit.
Until we got our bank statement and the stop pmt fee was TWICE the price of the subscription.
Way to go honey.
.-= LizzB (@hereslizz)´s last blog ..THE Most Embarrassing Moment! =-.
OMG, that’s crazy! I’m glad they got caught. I’m with you on the samoas. Tag-alongs, too.
.-= dysfunctional mom´s last blog ..What she’s missing =-.
Just had to tell you – been there- done that. My con-artist was a darling blue-eyed, dark-haired twenty something selling books. He told me he lived around the block and that he was sure I’d seen his mom walking their golden retreiver around the neighborhood. The only semi-thoughtful move I made was to ask for his address. I couldn’t resist buying the Beatles photo book he was selling for my hubby – a Beatles fanatic. That same fanatic ended up driving around the neighborhood until he found my con-artist and retreived my $80 check. I then drove around the block to find con-boy’s house so I could “give it” to my hubby for his completely inaccurate and inappropriate accusation! There was no such address. I HATE it when he’s right.
WOW! Um.. at least you got your money back? Anyway, I’m with you. I don’t like to answer the door or buy things from stangers. I am also the terrible human being who runs past the people standing outside of Wal-Mart collecting money for children’s clubs and hospitals. Sorry, I don’t carry cash! :)
.-= Dolli-Mama´s last blog ..Imaginary rain clouds =-.
I just ignore them. The Latter Day Saint people are like, persistent.
They sat at our door once for 15 minutes…in the span of that time they rang the doorbell thirty times and knocked about fifty. The knocks kept getting louder and harder until I thought the door was going to fall over and the last “ring” of the door bell was all, “DIIIIIIIIIIING DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!”
Totally annoying.
LMAO with your first paragraph, my hubby also can not say know to sales people. Glad you got your money back!
Smooches,
Sassy Chica
.-= Sassy Chica´s last blog ..Be Different =-.
Wow! Thanks for sharing because I would certainly be one of the suckers that hands over a check to these crooks. Glad he got caught and you got your money back!
.-= Momish´s last blog ..When You’re Good, You’re Good =-.
I got taken by the college student selling magazines. I’m such a sucker. You’re lucky you got your check back before you got scammed right out of your bank account!
.-= LZ @ My Messy Paradise´s last blog ..Why am I always the Bad Cop? =-.
I almost got scammed by those guys, too. I googled them, saw all the complaints, called the company to cancel my order. Now when they show up on my doorstep, I act like I’m hard of hearing, and remind them of our neighborhood’s No Solicitation law, yelling for one of the kids to get the phone. Seems to work.
.-= Wineplz´s last blog ..A Feeling of General Malaise =-.
Thank goodness my apartment complex bans solicitors. I’ve seen a few around but they always get asked to leave- it’s kind of fun to watch, actually!!
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..Interesting Turn =-.
I’m beginning to think most people that sell magazine subscriptions are scamming you… I’ve had so many people come to my door asking if I want to buy a subscription and they’re not even well-dressed or anything… I mean where a t-shirt that shows your organizations name, at the very least!!
Also, someone once asked me to buy a subscription, and told me the proceeds went to sending them on a winter ski trip. Wtf?! I’d like to send myself on one, thank you!
.-= Belle´s last blog ..Secrets secrets are no fun, unless they’re told to me. =-.
I like to think that I’m on the up and up when it comes to scams. But the same exact scenario happened to me a couple months ago. I found out that I had been scammed when I read about it in the newspaper a couple of days later. I had to call the bank and pay $15 to have a stop put on my check. I was flabbergasted to say the least.
.-= Terra Heck´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts – 9/22 =-.
Oh I never answer the door and now I am putting up a sign that says if I don’t know you and my house is not on fire – Don’t knock. I am glad you are safe and that they caught that bastard!
.-= Brittany at Mommy Words´s last blog ..The Mommy Words Name Game =-.
WOW! Thanks for the warning. I never thought the story was going to take a turn like that. Good to know and look out for.
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