Friday, October 27, 2006

Telemarketing, Door to Door Sales

The Seniors Issues Office and the East Algoma OPP along with the Algoma Health Unit want to remind citizens that you have the right to say “no” to Telemarketers and Door to Door sales people. When listening to the sales pitch of a Telemarketer or door to door salesperson ask yourself some questions:

1. Do you really need the product or service being offered?

2. Do the claims of the product or service being offered seem reasonable?

3. Are you being pressured into purchasing this product or service?

4. Do the people selling the product or service have all the proper permits and qualifications to do so?

Not all telemarketers or door-to-door salespeople are dishonest or high-pressure but their main objective is to separate you from your hard earned money. Do your homework. Don’t make quick decisions. Check out the company calling you on the phone or standing at your door. Don’t be afraid to look at alternatives to what is being offered and to speak with other people or professionals that are in the know about the product or service being offered.

For example if the company is making claims about health risks and how their product can alleviate those problems check with your doctor or your local Health Department. An informed consumer is a smart consumer.

Elliot Lake has passed a by-law requiring all door-to-door sales people to acquire a “Mobile Vendors” permit. Before even letting a sales person in your residence make sure that they produce this permit to show that they are properly licenced to conduct business in the City of Elliot Lake. If the company or person are making other claims perhaps in regards to health issues make sure they are qualified to make these claims.

Although it should be noted that not all telemarketers and door-to-door sales people are high-pressure the majority can be. And although it may not be illegal to use this method to sell a product or service, it could be considered mis-leading. Remember you have the right to say “no” and hang up the phone or close the door.

If you are having a problem with a telemarketer or door-to-door sales people you can contact the Seniors Issues Office at 705-848-3009 or the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services at 1-800-268-1142.

John Gagnon
Seniors Issues Officer
East Algoma OPP, Elliot Lake Detachment

FUNNY MONEY PASSED AT BUSINESS

Sault Ste Marie, Ont.,

Yesterday the owner of a business, north of Sault Ste Marie, turned in a counterfeit twenty dollar bill to the OPP.

Sometime over the past two weeks an unknown persons used the bill at the business. At this time it is the only counterfeit bill turned into the OPP.