This afternoon, in the midst of a snowstorm, a nice looking young man (21 maybe?) came to my door. Thinking he was here to offer to shovel my driveway, I answered! He was a fast talker and mentioned something about seniors, points, and a trip. At first I thought he was from our local high school, but when questioned, he said he was 21. He kept wanting to "high five" me.
At first I was willing to listen to what he had to say because he said the only thing he had to do was to prove that he was out talking to people so he just needed to get my name. Next thing I know he hands me cards with names of magazines on them, at which point I realized he was selling something. I told him I had just bought from my son's school, (which is the truth) but he wasn't interested in taking no for an answer. At this point it's freezing, my 3 year old is running around like a crazy person and I just want this kid to go away. So I order Rolling Stone Magazine, 26 issues for 28.00. The bill comes up to 38 dollars, why? Processing fee! What the heck is that? I was seriously hoping he was going to bill me, but he wanted to be paid up front. I wrote him a check for $38 made out to Palmetto Marketing Inc, and he left.
I still had a wierd feeling about the whole thing, so as soon as he left I got on line and found 138 postings for this company on the rip off report! I was so furious that I put my 3 year old in the car, in the snowstorm and went looking for this kid! I couldn't find him, and realized what I was doing was crazy, so I went home. I put a stop payment on the check, ($20 fee) and then called my bank. I was so paranoid about these people having my account number that I actually went back out and closed my account!
On my way to the bank I did see the kid, and pulled over to talk to him. I was very nice to him and I asked if he knew what kind of company he was involved with. He proceeded to tell me that this company was the best thing that ever happened to him and that they pay for his rent, his food, and to take care of his daughter. Now the SUCKER alarm was really going off because I was almost about to fall for it! I just simply told him of my concern for him since he was so young, but he was adament that this was a great company, (as he had ice forming on his face), and that he has been selling
magazines door to door for the
past 3 years. I suppose everybody has a story to tell, and I don't know where this kid came from, all I know is I had to get where I was going before 4pm. (bank closing time)
P.S. He was out without a coat, he said one of my neighbors gave him the coat he was wearing! AND he said he also needed items for a scavenger hunt... A triple decker peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a soda. The SUCKER in me is still sympathetic. As a mother, I wouldn't want to see my son working under these
conditions. But I am still mad that I got "pre-scammed!"
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