There are any number of signs and signals that can alert you to the fact that times are getting tougher. One thing I have noticed lately is a higher number of people going door to door in neighborhoods throughout the region trying to drum up work or sell you something.
In the first half of 2022, I’ve had offers for new roofing, solar panels, power washing, grass cutting, snow shoveling and house painting to name a few. In each instance, I ask to see the person’s permit and, invariably, they do not have one. In one case when I asked if they had obtained a permit from the municipality, the person said not to worry as he had approval from the mayor. He promptly left when informed that he was speaking with the mayor.
I highlight this door-to-door activity because it can lead to any number of outcomes. For those who follow the rules, obtain the proper approvals and have a legitimate product or service to sell, the outcome can be productive and satisfying. This is the best-case scenario. However, when dealing with those who are not legitimate, things can end badly.
In the worst-case scenario, a person going door to door under the guise of selling something could very well be scoping out a home with theft in mind. In other instances, the person or company may not be reputable. The product or service they are selling may be shoddy and cheap, in which case it’s theft by another name.
My point is that people need to be careful and even circumspect with anyone making a cold call at your door. It helps to know that each municipality has specific rules. These generally require people going door to door to get specific types of permits depending on what specific activity they’re doing.
In my home community of Bridgeton, we have canvassers. This is generally non-sales related, such as doing a survey, poll or collecting information for reasons like property assessment, or residential or animal censuses. In each instance, the person knocking on doors must pay a fee, obtain a permit and display their license in a visible place at all times.
There are also “hawkers” or “hucksters.” These people peddle products to the public on the street or from door to door. They generally do not sell these items from a fixed place of business that pays taxes, and may carry their inventory with them. If you are old enough, you might remember a Fuller Brush or Avon salesperson going door to door.
Finally, there are those who solicit. This is someone who takes orders for products or services to be delivered at some point in the future, whether or not payment is made at the initial solicitation.
Again, in all categories, if someone at your door does not have proper credentials from the municipality or cannot produce them — regardless of the reason — you should not deal with them and you should notify police.
Another thing to keep in mind is time restrictions. In Bridgeton, solicitors or canvassers are allowed to call at homes between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and they cannot operate on Sundays or holidays. I would think that legitimate sales people would take care in observing the rules on when to contact potential customers.
Truth be told, I am generally weary of those going door to door, whatever their mission, although not everything is equal. I try to maintain an open mind for young people in the neighborhood trying to make a buck with snow shovels in the middle of winter. But, this is far different from someone promising to do a roofing job, which, if done poorly, could destroy a home. The same holds true for solar panel installation.
In today’s world, you want to know that someone will stand behind their work or the quality of their product. You want assurances that, if something is wrong, they’ll make it right, because there are too many others out there who want to do nothing but separate you from your money. Stay safe.
Albert B. Kelly is mayor of Bridgeton. Contact him by phone at 856-455-3230 Ext. 200.
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