Kids selling magazines in Huecrest

[Suzie Harding]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has had this problem this year here in Roseburg. On 5/5/06 a very personable kid (late teens, early 20's) came by my house selling magazines. Very easy to talk with, and sort of a comedian type. He said he was selling magazines to get to go to Europe and that he was a "Student" but later in the conversation, he did admit his school wasn't here. Anyhow, He talked me into...(yep, I'm one of thse people everyone sends their kids to when they are fundraising),$179.00 worth of magazines plus he'd get extra points if some of it was in cash. I only had $5.00 so I deducted the cash from the amount and wrote him a check. He stuck some crazy sticker by my doorbell that would "ward off " any other sales people who might come by. He was by himself on our street,(Huecrest, by the Y) and had to wait to be picked up by a driver. He came back later and asked if he could use my phone to call this driver that had just dropped off kids in our neighborhood. He left, then and I didn't think anymore of it. Then last weekend another kid came by-same song and dance. I told him that I already bought and that I'd just remembered I didn't get the magazines yet, but hadn't remembered when I ordered them. Anyhow-this kid got me for one more subscription but it would be sent to Mercy Hospital as a gift for children.(Thats how he got me to buy). He then stuck some crazy sticker on my doorbell. He also was waiting for some 'driver' to pick him up. When he left, I went and looked for my last receipt. I found it, but they were not the same companies. I did go and researched the first company-"Face to Face Technologies" and there is a web site that is called rip-offreport.com the bad business bureau, and there are countless accounts of these folks (Face to Face Tech) on there. Even one was said that some girl at a walmart parking lot recruited her son and hired him saying he would travel in his job. She states that she hasn't heard or seen her child since. Anyway, if our city is not aware of this, I was hoping to inform someone to look out for them. Do people have to have permits to sell from door to door here? Some complaints on this web page say to call the police if they come to our doors. I hate to show how silly I was to be taken twice by these people, but I hope others in our community are not.

[Bill Stroman]

Yes, I was taken in by them as well. Apparently, they are affiliated with a collection agency called CDG,based in Florida, who are currently subject to numberous lawsuits. If subsribers cancel their cheques, they get sent nasty collection notices, even though CGS, I have heard, is not liscenced. Did you ever get your magazines, which FTFT sells at a 300-500% markup for subscriptions.

[Pablo Illarramendi]

Don't feel bad. It happens to a lot of people. Heck, it just happened to me. As far as I can tell, it is a very nasty experience. I am proceeding by the book: sent my cancellation request within 8 hours of purchase AND will stop payment on the checks. They can send nasty collection notices to me as long as they want to waste postage. Next time they come to my door, someone better call the police, 'cause I am going to use my shotgun to open bigger holes in their heads.

[Faith Testerman]

Thank you for posting about the outrageous amount these Kids want for magazines. Do we know if anyone has received the magazine? I give them a check for 42$ and then went on the internet and found your post. I went down the street and got my check back.
If the mark up wasn’t so high, I would get a magazine. The teens are polite and friendly, but talk to fast, which I don’t like.

[maxwell]

I did get my magazines. First thing I did was google Face to Face Technology. Scams popped up. So I figured "well I guess I gave the money to God". It took a few months,(the sales kid said it would be a few days), but I did get a call and started receiving my mags. The lady on the phone said that kids were not well informed on the process so were unknowingly misleading the customer. The only thing I was really upset with was they signed me up for some shopper's thing and some identity protection thing, without my ok, which I had to cancel or they would automatically take from my account.

[Leanne Covina-CA]

They hadd totally leared me in to buy a e them a subcription,I gave them a check and they put that sticker on my door also. They are very charming girls that are super friendly yet something told me to check online about this company online. Low & behold tons of negative/scam reports. I got in my car and went looking for them. Found them a block away and demanded my check back. They were about to get a check from another victim as I told the lady this company is a scam. Google the comapany and you'lle find out for yourself. Thanks everyone for posting this info,it was very helpful and I am glad that I got my check back !

[Anonymous]

Yeah,
Same here. Some 21 year old came by and sold me a one year subscription using the same story about charity, winning a trip, and money for college. Like Leanne above, after I paid, I decided to google the company and see what happens. Of course, it was a scam. Luckily I paid in cash. I normally never write checks or give credit card #'s over the phone, online, or in person (only at places I know). I guess I just lost $40 cash. If I don't get the subscription, I guess I can say I donated $40 to someone?? Please everyone, don't give in to these people. Never ever give out checks or cc #'s to random people, no matter how nice or good looking they may seem. I also never give in to this kind of stuff, but something convinced me that it was legite this time...guess not. Never opening the door to solicitors after this experience.