A (young man about 22 years old) sales person came to my home and indicated he was sent to my house by my neighbor. He indicated my neighbor purchased some books to help him earn points for a college trip to London. The young man indicated he was a student at the Univeristy of Illinois studying broadcasting. (He wanted in to my house because he needed somewhere to write.)
I looked at the material he had to offer. Never on any of the documentation were there prices. He insisted that my neighbor was purchasing children's books with CD roms and sending them to local hospitals. He said he had the addresses to the local hospitals.
I looked at the books and thought I would buy two. (First he wanted to charge me $154 and $143 for the books. I told him I would be purchasing the books and he changed to amounts to $54 and $43. If that wasn't a big clue.) I indicated to him that I wanted them delivered to my home. He really didn't want the books delivered to my house. He said he would send his mother over to my house when the books were delivered. I insisted that I wanted to ensure the books were received.
He then gave me the order form to fill in my name, address, etc. When I looked at the order form, the name of the company; Integrity Program and their website www.integrityprogram.com was on the order form. (No street address, no phone number.)
I asked him what college he was in. (if you attended college, you know what I was looking for) He got really short with me and said, "I already told you the U of I."
I indicated I needed a phone number for the company, in case I didn't receive my books. He again, got short with me and said, I could go to the website. I said, no I really need a phone number. Anyone can make up a website name.
I then asked again now, what college did you say you were in. He got very short with me and said, I already told you the U of I. I then told him if you attend, the U of I you would know what I am asking for.
I asked him for his permit to sell door to door. He said he didn't have it on him. I said, let me call the police and veify that you have one. I got my phone, and he said "Give me your phone and I will call them." I insisted that I would call them. I did. The police said to ask him for his permit. And I did. The young man, said he didn't have it with him. The police heard this and said, if he has one - he would have it with him. I repeated this to him.
He then said he wanted the order form back. I said, no - it is my order form now. He started to get irritated with me insisting on the getting the order form. The young man got on a walkie talkie and called his crew partner, complaining that I would give him back the order form. He became very agressive and insisted that I give him his property back - "That is my personal property." I said you came to my house - you gave me the form, now it is mine.
He again insisted that I give him his order form. He said, come on lady put your hands on me - you want to see agressive. (He really wanted me to put my hands on him) I said yeah you step inside my house, and I do more than put my hands on you. I called the police and asked them to come to my house because I was being threatened.
The young man started to walk away from my house, and said that's ok lady, I know where you live. I will be back for you. I told the young man, that's okay, my husband is a cop. I followed the young man across the street - with the police on the phone. A neighbor was out and I told him what happened. The young man took off running down the street. The neighbor went in pursuit and the police came out shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, the police couldn't find him.
I gave the police the order form. I will go to the police station tomorrow and get a copy.
After doing research on the web, I have discovered this company was sued by the Illinois Attorney General in 2002.
I will be placing a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's office Monday. I will also be talking with all my neigbors tomorrow to see if anyone else was conned.
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