Waylon Cunningham

Warmer temperatures have arrived. That means door-to-door sales season is upon us, and solicitors have started hitting the pavement. Whether they are marketing solar panels, landscaping services, alarm systems, handyman work, asphalt paving, and even charitable organizations, keep in mind there are good and bad players out there. Door-to-door salespeople will typically solicit in East Texas neighborhoods through the end of September. Better Business Bureau Central East Texas (BBB) urges consumers to make smart and safe decisions when answering the door to a salesperson.

“Many legitimate companies use door-to-door sales to generate revenue,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB serving Central East Texas. “However, there are bad players out there, so it’s important to be on the lookout for companies who use high pressure sales tactics, arrive in unmarked vehicles, do not have company branded materials and require cash payment, as they could be unscrupulous individuals who may want nothing more than to line their pockets.”

If visited by a door-to-door sales representative, BBB advises the following:

Research the company with BBB. Visit bbb.org to review the company’s BBB Business Profile to find out more about their marketplace performance. Consider customer reviews, complaint history, and overall company history. If it is difficult to find information on the company, consider working with another company. Remember, always look for the BBB seal. It’s the Sign of a Better BusinessSM.

Deal with local companies. Not only is this beneficial for our local economy, it also helps ensure that the company is accessible should you need them to return to fulfill a warranty or for other reasons.

Read and understand contracts before signing. Get transaction details, including verbal promises in writing. Include start and completion dates in the contract. Never sign any contract that has blank spaces.

Pay with a credit card. Take advantage of the consumer protections provided by using a credit card. Never pay in full (unless the job is completed), and never pay in cash.

Remember the “Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule.” The Federal Trade Commission’s Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule gives consumers three days to cancel purchases of more than $25 that are made in their home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business. Always get a receipt. Remember, there are purchases which cannot be cancelled under the three-day rule, such as the sale of insurance or farm equipment, and sales made entirely by mail or telephone with no other contact between buyer and seller. By law, the company must give consumers a refund within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice.

Seek at least three bids. Getting several proposals from prospective contractors based on the same specifications, materials and labor needed to complete the project gives you a better idea of what reasonable price is. Homeowners should discuss bids in detail with each contractor and ask questions about variations in pricing. Keep in mind, the lowest-priced contractor may not be the best deal. Go to https://www.bbb.org/get-a-quote to get a bid from a business you can trust.

Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics. A reputable seller will give you time to think through the deal and make an appointment to return at a later date. If they don’t want you to do any research on them or their product or service, you may want to spend your money elsewhere.

Be safe. Never invite anyone you don’t know into your home. If the salesperson refuses to leave and/or if you feel threatened, call the police immediately.

It’s also important to note that some cities do require a permit and may have other door-to-door solicitation regulations, such as the use of “No soliciting” signs. Check your city website for information.

Go to BBB.org to look up online marketplace business profiles, file a complaint, or write a customer review. Visit BBB Scam Tracker to research and bad behavior.