Southwestern Company Difference Blog
I would like to point out something multiple traveling magazine sales crews are using as a pitch at the door. Although I know it has gone on for some time, it is still shocking every time I run across it.
Various traveling sales crew members are scamming homeowners by saying the subscriptions they buy will go to members of the military stationed overseas.
What a perfect ploy! Not only does the magazine seller collect money from the customer, they are off the hook for having to deliver a product. The crafty scammers are taking advantage of families with loved ones overseas. There’s plenty wrong with this. For starters: they are take advantage of a vulnerability some military families have as their emotions and stress levels may be at a peak. They also have sympathy for our overseas soldiers, as they are directly affected due to family members being among those deployed.
This happened in Amarillo, Texas, as recent as November 11. The article from the Amarillo Globe & News, “Men selling magazines might be part of a scam,” said the young men involved in this scam were not even providing the homeowners with a receipt – which is a violation of Federal law, as you must provide two copies. This is definitely one of the differences between reputable and disreputable direct sellers.
Beyond lying about their association with our armed services, they also lied by saying they were raising money for a college choir trip. The local college has denied there is any such fundraiser underway. It also looks as if they also did not register for a solicitor’s permit with the city.
Scammers preying on military families, this is surely a low. Certainly not a new low, but ranks with the lowest of lows.
I had not heard of this before now. That is horrible to hear that this is happening to military families. I can’t imagine that ploy not working with those missing loved ones overseas. It is heartless for them to prey on the weak and emotional. And for it to all be a scam must be devastating.
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Unfortunately, I has experienced a scam. Fortunately though, the charge on my bank account was waived to cancel this check I wrote out to: FTFT aka Face To Face Technologies. How sad it is that “we” are teaching our young kids to lie and scam innocent people out there be it older, military, or kind hearted-volunteering people!! I had already issued a check to a different company for magazine subscriptions, and as it turns out, they are a reputable company. This second group was unreputable and have numerous negative marks to their ‘ficticious’ name!! Just google FTFT and you’ll see what I mean!!
COnsumers, beware of these young perky kids who try to make a run for your money, also telling you that “your check will be held for 21 days in case you don’t have enough funds at the moment”!!
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Trey Campbell, APR Reply:
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:59 am
CR – there is no doubt there are both honest organizations and scams out there. I’m sorry FTFT was not who they portrayed to be. It is unbelievable people have the audacity to operate in such a manner with no fear of consequences. Thanks for letting us know about this particular organization.
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