Door to door solicitors

[Curtis]

They all are scams. I don't buy anything from anyone at the door, outside a store, or any kids selling anything. In fact I don't allow my kids to sell anything. I think the bigger scam is having your kids sell stuff for school, sports, or anything else.

I always answer my door. I want people to know I'm home. I then make sure my dog is worked up and act like I'm having trouble holding him back (and it isn't always an act). In fact my neighbor who fears dogs won't even come to my front door. My dog is an 85 lb wiem with a strong voice.

[alan000]

I agree with the poster that said it's a burglary scam. I notice these solicitors (usually teens) come late afternoon or at night and when you open the door, they look right past you and into the living room as if to see what ya got in there and what the layout is. If you're selling me something and trying to convince me to buy, look me in the eyes. Now, I may be paranoid, but I do have a friend who was robbed a week after a solicitor showed up at his house selling magazines.

[Mike A]

We've had a rash of house burglaries in our neighborhood in Seal Beach. We recently had a community meeting with the cops and they told us regarding door-to-door vendors: they need a business license in our city, and it isn't the homeowners job to check that out. Just call the business number at the police (NOT 911) and they will send somebody to check on the vendor. And we are under no obligation to open the door or even talk to anyone.

BTW about 80% of the burglaries (all cash and jewelry) were of homes that weren't locked! Can you believe?

[alan000]

We've had a rash of house burglaries in our neighborhood in Seal Beach. We recently had a community meeting with the cops and they told us regarding door-to-door vendors: they need a business license in our city, and it isn't the homeowners job to check that out. Just call the business number at the police (NOT 911) and they will send somebody to check on the vendor. And we are under no obligation to open the door or even talk to anyone.

BTW about 80% of the burglaries (all cash and jewelry) were of homes that weren't locked! Can you believe?

I seriously cannot believe that people are NOT locking their cars, homes, etc. nowadays. I won't even let my son walk to school by himself even if we live in a nice neighborhood; I honestly think crime as gotten worse over the years. I grew up in Oakland and I used to walk around the streets w/o much worry. Maybe part of that was ignorance, but now, I won't even drive in Oakland.

[axel4488]

They all are scams. I don't buy anything from anyone at the door, outside a store, or any kids selling anything. In fact I don't allow my kids to sell anything. I think the bigger scam is having your kids sell stuff for school, sports, or anything else.

I always answer my door. I want people to know I'm home. I then make sure my dog is worked up and act like I'm having trouble holding him back (and it isn't always an act). In fact my neighbor who fears dogs won't even come to my front door. My dog is an 85 lb wiem with a strong voice.

We had to fund raise everything for band. The district gave us squat for marching, winter guard/drumline and spring concert seasons. We would easily rack up 100 grand just for the winter seasons between coaches, equipment, bussing, and fees. Now what pissed me off were the football players saying that had jack squat and needing our hard earned money when in fact they get 90 grand a year from the district and new uniforms.

[Lifeon2whls]

I have a faux door bell button on my door because I hate the "ding" they make and I really don't need it. If anyone comes to the door and presses the button, he is at that door and ready to kill something. When I open it, there is 80lbs of snarling dog staring at the person on the porch. I much prefer having him there than having a gun on me...at 8 feet or so, a perp can cross that distance faster than I can draw/aim/shoot so my boy is there to hold the intimidation factor.

Funny thing though...the only people who arent fazed are the religious groups. Maybe its just another of Gods creatures?

[3S16]

We get them all the time. My personal favorite are the spray cleaner guys. They drop off a whole van load in a residential area and the complaints begin. Very aggresive! No county business licence of course. I watched one for a while and contacted his last "victim" who was willing to sign a complaint.
I hooked the guy (from out of state) for the misdemeanor business license violation and booked his receipt book and cash as evidence. Of course he FTA'd for court, but that particular crew never came back.