My Ballard reader Paul sent us this note about an incident on Wednesday:
In the middle of the afternoon, a man (white, shaved head, 5’ 8-10, early 30s) knocked on our door despite the “no soliciting” sign. He claimed to be from Comcast and asked if we wanted to sign up for cable TV. There was an African-American man who was with him. He was wearing a blue/black down jacket. Neither of them had Comcast apparel and there was no Comcast vehicle on our street. We told them no thank you and they became rather stand-offish. This didn’t seem right at all to us. And after a couple minutes later I called the non-emergency police number and reported the incident.
Update: “Our direct sales persons should always have IDs with them,” said a Comcast representative in comments below. “If they do not have IDs, do not entertain them.”
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I just had this happen to me last night, only it was an African-American male and was claming to work for Verizon. Be careful!
Hello All,
First things first, always use common sense and be cautious anytime someone unexpectedly shows up at your door. Always ask for a second piece of identification to see if the name and face match the ones on the company i.d. he better be wearing. And don't forget to see that they both match the actual person at the door too. If he doesn't eagerly provide it, then tell him you are not interested and close the door. If he does provide you with the second piece of identification and if you do have some interest in whatever he is selling, you might want to hear what he has to say. Remember that door to door selling is still an actual job in this country. A very difficult job too. The “cold sales call” is one of the biggest contributing factors to our nations greatness. Without getting into a debate about that statement, I will just get to the point. Many times the products being offered are not such a great deal, however, there are probably just as many times when the goods or services are high in quality at prices that cannot be matched even if you call the company direct. HERE IS A REAL LIFE EXAMPLE: Suppose you want to use Comcast for their cable tv, internet, or telephone services. You call them and tell them what package you want and they will most likely quote you whatever price is advertised all over the newspapers, billboards, tv commercials and everywhere else they advertise. Let's say you choose “The Plus Package Bundle” which gets you 150 channels, high speed internet access, and unlimited local and long distance calling. You know from seeing all the ads that you can get this package right now on sale for the low price of $129 per month plus installation of about $25 instead of the normal $159 per month plus install, which it can jump back up to at any minute. So you lock in the $30 per month savings opportunity and all is well. Right? Wrong. The hardcore door knockers are not out pounding the pavement trying to get the same customers as the billboard ads. they are trying to get all of the potential clients that need more convincing and prodding before they sign on the dotted line. The cable company arms these sales people with only the finest weaponry comcast can offer. If you procrastinated on picking up the phone to call comcast and instead gave the salesman at your door a chance to speak, you could have got the exact same package for a lousy $75 per month with free install. Sure the price might only be good for 12 months but so what. you are saving $50 a month or $600 per year. This is a real example. Most of those door to door salespeople that are the targets of much ridicule and ire, are hard working honest people just like you and your friends. It can pay to have an open mind.
While outside this evening sweeping three young teenage girls on bicycles rode past and I noticed a car pull over right near them and park. Five or ten minutes later a guy caucasian/white shirt/khaki colored knee length shorts came up to me on the sidewalk while I was sweeping…my teenaged daughter had walked up also at that moment…he said he was from Comcast and that he was the “neighborhood rep” and was inquiring if we needed service from Comcast to which I replied that we already have it. He seemed to have a knack for being close when teenaged girls were close by. It didn't seem like he was from Comcast to me…after I told him that then he knocked on the door next door where nobody lives currently…then he got in his car and drove off. It just seemed odd and I'm very suspicious of people …believing that they may be posing as people from companies to scope out neighborhoods and people especially with kids and teenagers around…having a teenaged daughter it always seems that men are checking her out. There is a new house going up right next to mine and I see the workers checking her out when we are leaving to go somewhere. I just don't trust people because of a stranger being in a friend of mines house who had been working on lawns in the neighborhood and came down from her upstairs one day when she was on the phone talking to a friend and it freaked her out. People be aware of your surroundings!