Does This Door-To-Door Sales Pitch Give You Doubts?
By Marshall Zelingerm.zelinger@krdo.comFollowme on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mzelinger
COLORADO SPRINGS – Some of you alerted NEWSCHANNEL 13 to a door-to-door salesman suggesting he was selling security systems and working with School District 11.
“(He said) that he’s working with District 11 because of the crime around the area,” said resident Toni Speckman.
“He was with the school district over here,” said Pat, another resident.
“Why would District 11 be having anything to do with security systems?” asked another neighbor.
We found the salesman still going door-to-door to find out what was going on.
Marshall Zelinger: “Hey guys, I’m sorry to interrupt, I’m Marshall Zelinger from NEWSCHANNEL 13.“Sean Steiner (Salesman): “Hi, nice to meet you.”Marshall: “Got a couple of calls that say you’re sponsored with District 11, is that true?”Sean: “No. I just said that we’re going around District 11, sponsoring houses.”Marshall: “What does that mean ‘sponsoring houses?'”Sean: “We just go ahead a pay for a complete system.”
Steiner was selling Monitronics security systems on behalf of EXL Security, out of Mesa, Arizona. He was sent to Colorado Springs to sell door-to-door for the summer, in areas where crime and burglary rates are higher.
Sean: “I’m not trying to say I’m with District 11, I’m getting paid by them, I did not say that, did not imply that at all.”Marshall: “Why do people need to know that they live in District 11 as part of a security pitch?”Sean: “It just happens, so that people know that I came to this district, that I’m personalizing their area.”
“They are absolutely not working with District 11 in any capacity,” said School District 11 spokesperson Elaine Naleski. “Why are you even mentioning District 11? Why do you say I’m in District 11? There’s really no need unless you’re trying to form an association between your business or your organization and District 11 and we really don’t want that to happen. We really prefer that they not even refer to District 11.”
The reference to District 11 isn’t the only doubt raised about this door-to-door salesman. He provided a business card with a Mesa, Arizona address and phone number. He told NEWSCHANNEL 13 and another resident that he just moved to the city last week.
Marshall: “If I showed you a map of Colorado Springs, could you point to your local office?”Sean: “Ah, I could get back to you on that.”Marshall: “Why would you have never been to your local office if you’re going to be selling in Colorado Springs? Why would you never set foot in your Colorado Springs office?”Dave Meredith (resident): “Oh, I get your gist. Wouldn’t that be the first place you go when you hit town, to the local office?”Sean: “Well, we just call in and say ‘yes we’re here.’ Let me get a call and I’ll tell you where it’s at…It’s temporary on Galley and Powers.”
“If I was coming to town to start a new job in Colorado Springs, the first place I’d go after I got a place to live, would be go to the office and tell them I’m here,” said resident Dave Meredith.
NEWSCHANNEL 13 spoke by phone (Arizona area code) with another EXL Security representative (“Robbie”)who told us the business office was 1350 Cascade Creek View. That address took us to the Creekside Apartments. According to Robbie, EXL Security has rented an apartment for the summer as a meeting place for the door-to-door salesmen.
NEWSCHANNEL 13 didn’t investigate the EXL Security offer, however Monitronics is a valid security system sold through a number of dealers.
If a door-to-door salesman approaches you, ask for references. Let the person know you want to think about the product and the offer and that you’ll call them in a week. Check the business out with the Better Business Bureau. If the salesman pressures you, say no.
