Are These Scam Artists at Our Front Door?

I'd find out what school they are from and call the school. If they are giving you a different pitch each and every time, then I wouldn't buy anything or sign anything for them.

You never know anymore. I remember the days when you could go door-to-door and nobody gave it a second thought.

I don't know about the others, but I can vouch somewhat for the Kirby kids. I used to work for Kirby(doing what those kids that come to your door are doing). I was never good and selling anything to anyone, so I quit early into it. But I'd talked to people(salespeople, not leaders/managers, etc) who had actually won trips and bonuses. This was in NC, and we were told that there was a yearly cruise for Kirby employees, and you had to have so many demonstrations to be eligible to go for free. Also, I know someone with a Kirby vaccuum and became quite familiar with it while training. It's a good product. So while there may be some shady Kirby people out there, I do know that the business and the product are legit.

As for the magazine folks, I've done it once a while ago, and I did receive my magazine(got lucky I guess). And my mom's done it once as well. We try not to buy into any of the hype. Sad to say, there are at least 3-4 people knocking on our door every weekend.

Those magazine kids weird me out. I even got them all the time when I lived in another state. I have orderd out of pity a cople of times, and have NEVER recieved anything.

If you dont care for the interruptions from them then post a sign on the door area that No solicitation is welcome. Most are properly school kids but spring break just recently was over.

Yeah....but in my town it was for the Kirby carpet people. And the teens said if they get so many demonstrations done then they get a trip to padre island or somewhere. Seemed to be legit because my neighbors agreed to let them do it...but we have all hardwood floors haha! But you should always be careful about who you let in your home....you never know.

I get the ones that are adults claiming to be trying to turn their lives around from drugs or homelessness, etc. They are usually selling magazine subscriptions. I always find it odd that they ask for a bottle of water when you tell them you aren't interested! Anyone have that experience?

Hi P., If it where me i would ask for infomation on paper and tell them you need to discus it with your husband. then if it has a # on it contact them and see if they arte for real and if ther not then you have something to go on when you contact your neighborhood watch program and the police if they offer no paper to back up ther claims call the police at once so they canbe checked out for posible thief casing peoples houses for burgles.hope this helps T. aka MOMMA T

SCAM!!!! I have been scammed by those sorts of offers!!!! NEVER AGAIN

Scam???? Not sure, I actually purchased some nice childrens books from one of these guys. Not sure if he was actually the neighbors kid or not, but he seemed like a nice kid none the less, and my books came in, and we love them.

I would say yes, they are scam artists in a way. Usually, these "kids" are not actually teenagers. The companies who they are working for hired them because they look young and can pass for teenagers. They teach them their sales pitch and then let them go at it.

I am also a SAHM and learned a few years ago never to open the door to anyone that I didn't know!! My front door has a large window in it, so I can see out and they can see me. I had a man come to my door one day, I didn't open the door, but told him thru the glass "no thank you", then I walked away. He started yelling at me thru the door claiming he wasn't selling anything and had to tell me something very important. After a couple of minutes, he left and I called the cops.

You can never be too careful when you're at home with your little ones by yourself. Even if whoever is knocking at your door looks like a teenager, don't open it. (My only exception is for girl scouts ;-)

Being at home alone with children make you such a target! I used to work in local and network news. What you see in the news is only the tip of the iceberg! There are many scam artists, and they have far from your best interest at heart.

Their attempt at peer pressuring a grown woman is laughable. If I go to the door (never open it), I say I'm not interested. They usually try to tell me how all my neighbors are very interested (which is somewhat silly when they tell you about a neighbor whom they claimed just signed onto their scam - and I know the neighbor is away on vacation!). I don't reply - however - I do let my large lab-retriever take care of the rest of the replies.

My advice, for whatever it is worth - if you are home alone with children NEVER open the door for strangers. We live in the internet age - you can order anything (children's books, vacuums, etc.) over the internet, without compromising the safety of you or your children.

Good luck, and stay safe.

S.

I really couldn't say yes or no to that question, but I actually had the same thing happen about 3 years ago. I had a couple teenage girls come to my door and I bought a magazine subscription from them and never received the magazines. There could be a good reason behind that but who knows.

I had one two days ago doing magazine subs, told me he was in college for communications and that this was something they had to do to get over their "jitters" or fears of meeting w/ strangers. the schpeel sounded legit, but still didn't make me buy a magazine!

When I lived in Houston I actually bought a magazine from one of these "kids" and after I wrote the check he then said he needed my drivers lic. as well as my social for some reason or another. I immediately grabbed my check and slammed the door in his face. He would have had all my info. if I hadn't been on guard.

That sounds really suspicious. If they really are teenagers, why aren't they in school??? I wouldn't give them any money.

I have had the same thing. What is peculiar is that both times, both kids said their moms came up with the idea. If you find out anything about this, please post for the other moms to see. Sounds fishy to me.

We've had an issue in my neighborhood and the police have advised us they are probably scouting the house for a break-in.

A couple tips they gave:
1) Answer, but DON'T open, the door. Reason is if you don't answer they think you're not home and may try to break in on the spot.

2) Tell them your husband said to say you're not interested. That way they think there is a man home too.

I had these guys come to my door trying to sell children books. I agree it was odd, especially when I asked for a company name, card or web address and they fumbled with it. (No card or web address btw) I just asked them to leave. If it is a scam, who do we call?