I was inspired to write this piece mainly to warn others and spread the word after my visit last week from a young, polite, fast talking African-American man came to my door doing his sales pitch on something called “Advanage Wonder Cleaner”. He showed up after 9pm at night, already dark outside. This purple liquid that I wasn’t too impressed with that supposedly cleans everything and anything was presented. First I had to look to my husband for answers a lot as this man spoke to us during his pitch, when he would ask me a question he would talk so fast I couldn’t understand a word he was saying. He then began to compliment us a lot and asked how we could afford such a large nice home with our young family, I smugly replied, “We got good jobs and worked for it.” Even though it is just a simple single family home, nevertheless he went on some more only to prove his product is safe around kids, he drank it, yes that’s right, drank it. I noticed the bottle said call 911 if ingested, but kept my mouth shut, his choice.
After he went on and on about his cleaner and making various random bad jokes in between, I spoke up to say we have no credit cards, no money, and am not interested, even if we were the wonderful economy would keep us from buying it. He looked around the house as my husband stood with him at our entry way saying goodbye and good luck. He quickly gathered his things, after his 20 minute stay, and headed out. I immediately after his departure got a bad feeling, as my husband put our baby to bed I went online to look up this “Wonder Cleaner” and it’s company, and what I found made me call the police. I found thousands of criminal reports on these salesman mainly from wiping out peoples bank accounts when they were giving a check or card for payment, as well as several thefts and robberies. Even some rape and a murder was found, they prey on the innocent.
I called the police and was informed they would keep an eye out, however, sad but true they cannot arrest anyone till something is done. They had received several calls already about these men and women going door to door acting extra suspicious, and some unlucky elderly people have already given them checks. Earlier I mentioned he was African American, the relevance in that is in doing further research I found out they are a racist company, every single one of the door to door salespeople were African American, it kind of stood out in a prominently white and Hispanic town. The headquarters for this company refuses to hire anyone white according to several complaints and their records.
So going to bed paranoid every night seeing how I have an infant, is not so much fun. Waiting with a sword close by the door just in case they did decide to get their money worth on our home. I later ran across an article that was sent out by the Attorney General Hardy Myers of Oregon. He warned about these door-to-door salespeople who sell magazines and cleaning products and that many engage in unlawful behaviors such as selling illegal drugs, using false names, theft, rape, and more. Myers stated that this specific companies traveling salespeople was one of the worst authorities have ever had to deal with, with complaints of illegal activities resulting in citations and arrests.
The company known as T & B Sales sends out their salespeople from Illinois on bus tickets to other states only in the month of April, they call it the “Spring Advantage”. The best thing to do when any aggressive salesperson comes to your home is not answer the door, better just speak through it and say you are not interested. If another adult is with you and you really want to hear what they have to say stand firmly at the door and open it to hear the pitch, get their name and company within the first minute of them being there along with what they are selling and the price. Always make sure whatever you buy has a contract and check the customer service number first. Cash is always best to use if you get the product right then and there, otherwise why risk it at all. If you feel odd about the encounter don’t be afraid to look the company they are with up as well as call your local police. I for one don’t answer the door when any salespeople arrive now unless it is a girl scout.
J.C. Associated Content 2009Cited Sources: http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/2008/rel053008.shtml
