Solicitor Alert - GE Protect

Friday 8/19/11 approx. 6:45 PM

FYI - we just had a man come to the door ostensibly selling security system upgrades for GE Protect. He had convincing looking ID and demeanor, complete with shirt with corporate logo embroidery. He suggested that our alarm system could be rendered ineffective if someone cut the phone lines, and was looking for a few people in the neighborhood to display his company's sign in the yard along with the alarm company sign. They would install a component to our security system that would enable the monitoring to be done wirelessly. He said they were looking for people who had been in the neighborhood for a long time. He asked many questions about our security system and our residence in the neighborhood. I did my best to not give him any information, and I certainly did not let him in, though he tried hard to do so. He even went so far as to call a phone number on a SmartPhone to verify his identity referencing his badge, in an effort to gain my confidence. I said I would not have anything installed without research and asked for brochures or a business card, neither of which he could produce. He did show me a couple pieces of notebook paper with names and addresses from the neighborhood handwritten on it.

I wish I would have taken more notice of the details. I think the name on his tag was Ross. He was very clean cut and athletic looking; he met my gaze directly. Interestingly, I just saw an article from the 2009 New York Times about Mormons being recruited for door to door sales because of their evangelizing experience. But I digress.

The one piece of information he gained from me was how to pronounce "Chili."

I called 911 later on to report it.

Leslie

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on August 22, 2011 at 10:00am

THese 'guys' seem to show up every year around this time - each year the company name is different but the sales pitch is about the same. They earnestly express interest in your safety and use a mildly stated scare tactic to suggest you need a new/different and/or updated security system. IF you agree to get something installed, there are installers 'nearby'. While the company may be 'legit', I think that purchasing a home security system (or any other product) from a door to door salesperson is never a good idea. I do find it curious that the security selling people tend to make an appearance around the same time we're experiencing more break-ins in the neighborhood.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Nichthauser on August 22, 2011 at 7:40pm

I believe door-to-door solicitors must have a permit from the city. A few months ago someone came around selling I-forget-what. Anyway, someone had called 911 before he arrived at my house and a cop came as I was speaking with the salesman. He was very young and did not know if his company had gotten the required permit. I believe he called someone in Texas to find out. He didn't.

Oh yes, he was one of those energy guys wanting to see my utility bills, etc., etc. I don't remember if he wanted entry into the house, but under no circumstances would I have allowed that. The police officer saved me from having to tell him again that I was not interested. The officer was very nice to him and requested that he leave and cease his solicitations. He did leave and was disappointed. He was probably a naive kid taken advantage of by some out of town corporation.