Sheriff's office warns residents to be on lookout for illegal solicitors selling books
Sheriff’s office officials are warning residents of Superior and Ann Arbor townships to be on the lookout for workers from a magazine sales company, which was given five tickets for illegal soliciting this weekend.
Sgt. Geoffrey Fox, of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, said Monday solicitors from Urban Development Solutions, Inc. have been going door-to-door selling books for the past few days. Fox said the organization appears to be a non-profit but does not have permits to solicit in the townships, leading to multiple citations.
Fox said five individuals, including one from Texas and another from North Carolina, were ticketed this weekend and it appears the Indiana-based company is bringing people into the area to sell their wares.
“We just want to make sure people know if someone comes to their door and tries to sell them something they’re not allowed to do that,” he said. “They should contact us instead of just blowing it off.”
The solicitors were spotted in Superior Township and Ann Arbor Township during the weekend but may be in other areas as well.
In order to legally solicit in area townships, companies must go to township halls and get a permit from officials there, Fox said. Illegal soliciting is an offense punishable by a ticket.
Fox said the address given to sheriff’s deputies for Urban Development Solutions, Inc. is in Indiana, but the Better Business Bureau has a listing for the company in Grosse Pointe.
When asked if the solicitors were ignoring the law or just unaware that what they were doing was illegal, Fox said he wasn’t sure.
AnnArbor.com was unable to reach Urban Development Solutions for comment on this story.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
dwcwork
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 2:08 p.m.
I read about these kids a few years ago. Most of them aren't criminals, it is the 'p.i.m.p' that is - loading them into vans and dropping them off in areas to sell magazines. These kids don't know what they are getting into. Don't get paid, barely get fed, end up all packed into one hotel room or sleeping in the van. They get brought in on promises, but it is the guy driving them around that makes all the money. They are trained to say things like "I am trying to earn points for a scholarship" and other phrases like that. It is a scam - but the kids are the ones getting scammed. As long as we buy magazines from them (you will get the mag you order - but the kid won't get much of anything from it except for a bad experience and a lost summer) they will keep doing it.
BradP
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 2:18 a.m.
Living in the south a few years back, we ordered a magazine from a college age kid peddling subscriptions door to door. Super hot day. He said it was for college. Was it or wasn't it? Who really cares? He was working very hard, and we bought a subscription to a magazine we would be willing to read. It arrived, and the subscription lasted a year. It was cheap. We weren't robbed. Also gave the kid a bottle of cold water. Working without a permit doesn't necessarily mean you're a criminal casing the joint. True, there are criminals. True, people case the joint. True, Kirby vacuum sales people can be scary. But sometimes it's just a person who got suckered into selling magazines. Buy them or don't. But there's no reason to be nasty about it. Just be glad you aren't the one selling magazines to make ends meet.
a2citizen
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 4:57 a.m.
"...Working without a permit doesn't necessarily mean you're a criminal casing the joint..." No, but if you are working without a permit you are at least violating the law. Not sure if that makes you a criminal or not.
microtini
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 2 a.m.
I can't imagine that selling things door-to-door is a desirable job, but with high unemployment and limited options for millions of American, some are forced to resort to this humiliating method of earning a living. Perhaps we should show a little compassion toward those less fortunate than us.
OLDTIMER3
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 11:50 a.m.
Some of these door to door salesmen/women are reputable sales people. Kirby vacuum is reasonably safe, as are Cutco knives. But some of these magazine sales people are over the limit. And yes school kids do still sell subscribtions but mostlty through a mailing the send you with a complete listing of the products they are trying to sell you in their name..
a2citizen
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 4:54 a.m.
So, how many magazines are you receiving in the mail?
DTCMom
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 12:15 a.m.
We had a young woman from this organization in our Dexter Township neighborhood a few weeks back . She was very persistent in trying to get me to purchase magazine subscriptions for charities, but I told her absolutely not, I only purchase from those that live in my neighborhood. She was not happy and then asked what were my neighbors names so that she could "go meet them and introduce them to her cause".
LaMusica
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 2:49 a.m.
Oh wow, super shady and IMO rude! If I don't wanna talk to you, I'm sure as heck not gonna supply you all my neighbors' info so you can harass them too!
BradP
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 2:23 a.m.
Sorry about the sarcasm. I just meant that it sounds like it turned out okay and she was not a threat to you. She probably got suckered into putting up money for the chance to sell magazines which aren't selling.
BradP
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 2:21 a.m.
Call the cops!! She was persistent, not happy and asked what your neighbor's names were. Perhaps you can get some counseling to help you recover from the trauma of not buying magazines from a pushy person.
stevek
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.
But where will I be able to find magazines now? They are soooo difficult to obtain.
Major
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 10:59 p.m.
Definitely a scam, I found out the hard way about ten years ago. Same company name as above, said they were out of Texas. Never got my subscription, out $65. Four years later, they made the mistake of knocking on my door again. After realizing who they were I politely, but firmly, asked them to leave my property. The guy got to the end of my porch stairs and started cursing at me!!! See my icon to the left....I introduced him to "Major" who, not so politely, TOLD him to leave!!! The exchange was much more colorful than I describe, believe me. Cleaned it up in hopes of not having my comment removed....I hate it when that happens!
Moon Dust
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
Home page of their website, http://www.urbands.com/, states that they are a for-profit business.
A2comments
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 7:33 p.m.
They came to our development in Superior Township last week. We have a posted No Soliciting sign at the entrance to the development, and since our roads are private it's irrelevant whether they have a permit or not. Two young males were seen going door to door. My wife was driving by when one of them was on the street and told them they were not allowed in the development and needed to leave, or she would call the Sheriff. An hour later one of them knocked on the door, then stepped back about 10 feet waiting for it to open. I opened the door and before he started his spiel told him no soliciting. He ignored me and kept going, I then interrupted and told him he was not allowed in our private development and he needed to leave. He ignored me again and kept talking, so I closed the door and called the Sheriff. I sincerely hope I was one of the tickets. These are professionally trained individuals. Don't be fooled.
Stephen Wehmeyer
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
It doesn't work that way.
Fatkitty
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.
I look out the window (and don't care if they see me looking at them either); if I don't know them, or they don't appear to be the repairman I called for, I don't open my door - especially solicitors.
Major
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
Make sure when you do this, you make it clear someone is home. One of the biggest MO's of home invasion perp's is to knock and if no one answers...bust in! That would be a worst case scenario, one you would not want to be in!! Be safe friend!!
nickcarraweigh
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.
Is it better to set the Rottweilers on them while we wait for the authorities, or is holding them at gunpoint even sounder?
Major
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.
I'd go with the Rottie choice, no doubt you have them trained and they wouldn't bite unless provoked, but I know from experience that works!!
cinnabar7071
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 7:05 p.m.
They both sounds like fun, but both your suggestion will have you in jail.
gladys
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
I had so many "alternate gas provider" folks come to my door that I finally had to start swearing and pretend to call the cops before they stopped coming to my door!
harry
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:33 p.m.
If ANYBODY tries to sell you something door to door, tell them no. This is a dangerous practice for the homeowner and the seller. Never buy anything from kids unless you now them. If you do all it does is encourage them to keep selling.
harry
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
Notnecessary You need to live in the real world. Its not 1950 anymore. People are nuts. I would never put my child in danger selling door to door so I dont have to pay for his boy scout trip. I will pay out of my pocket and keep my kid safe. Good luck with yours.
notnecessary
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:46 p.m.
Because selling stuff for-profit has dangerous motives in this capitalist society of ours...not to mention the huge dangers of being outside without parental supervision for those kids! Oy! Oy! Oy!
YpsiLarry
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
I love lining in my condos, posted policy of No Soliciting = Trespassing ticket unless they leave the property.
Lovaduck
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 2:56 a.m.
I live in a condo and we have to do the same thing. Good for you, Larry!
YpsiLarry
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
It is a voluntary community, if I don't like the rules i can move somewhere else, unlike dealing with the government. And we are equal opportunity, we keep politicians, tin foil hatters and religious nut bags at bay too.
notnecessary
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:45 p.m.
You're really sticking it to the man there, Larry. Congrats.
YpsiLarry
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:32 p.m.
And it doesn't even matter if they are from a legitimate companies or scamming. I chased off anti smart meter, AT&T U-verse, and alternate gas provider people this summer!
YpsiLarry
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
Living, not lining
Lizard
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
Had three of these people last week in Woodland Meaws. One girl said she was a student at U of M and showed me an Ohio drivers license.
MIKE
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
Does U of M not accept students from Ohio?
swcornell
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 4:40 p.m.
If anyone comes to your door for anything, ask to see two pieces of ID. If they can't or refuse call the police immediately.
Billy
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
Classic scam too.....someone knocks on your door, tells you their selling magazines for this company....they got all this literature even to show you....except.....there never was any "magazine company," it was all a ruse to get them inside your house to case it to burgle later. I really didn't think they did this thing much anymore since most people are aware of it now. Doesn't matter if they're a "legitimate" company either....people will work for these companies JUST so they have the impetus to case people's houses. They might come back that night....they might come back a week or two later....maybe a month even.
Julie Lee
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
Cool Story Bro
Lovaduck
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 2:54 a.m.
OK, Billy, I bow to your experience. Thanks for sharing.
Billy
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
Besides having talked to some individuals that have personally taken PART in this kind of scam(or at least claimed)...my parents were targeted years ago. Even after I'd already warned them repeatedly of this kind of thing. Kid came to the SIDE door of the house....which was already sketch. Illiterate kid too mind you...my folks had a "no soliciting" sign on the door at the time yet he still banged away. When my mother answered the door she got the usual quick talking spiel, and she noticed that as he was talking he wasn't looking at her but PAST her and into different stuff behind her....basically casing stuff. She interrupted him, pointed to the sign and said thank you but she wasn't interested, then closed the door. That night just before 3am the SAME kid was trying to jimmy the lock when my father flipped the light on and saw him. He dashed off and jumped into a waiting truck that peeled off. I honestly couldn't believe it myself at first, because I'd never directly had it happen to me or anyone I knew. I didn't even believe the guys telling me about this scam back in the day either, just thought they were trying to talk "cool." Also.......print is dying, do door-to-door magazine sales still happen? My kid's not quite in school yet so I don't know if they're still doing those magazine drives....I wouldn't think so. Take that as evidence for what you will. I'm not saying ALL door-to-door sellers are a threat...the last thing I want is to instill paranoia in people....but in this day it's out of place to go door-to-door UNLESS you are doing political or awareness campaigning.
Lizard
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
With all the breakins lately it is better to be safe then sorry.
Lovaduck
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.
Billy, do you have evidence for this claim, or is it just based on your fears? I'm not saying you're wrong and those persons ARE obnoxious and annoying (sometimes they refuse to get lost) but can you give evidence that they are really thieves in disguise? Just asking.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
$5 says they will never pay those tickets, thus why bother going to get a "permit"?
jns131
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
We were told by the WCSD that you have the right to see their solicitor permit. If they cannot? Then call the police. We did. Boy did they hi tail it out of our neighborhood. We have a no solicitor and no trespassing sign. Keeps these people off our doorsteps.