West Seattle door-to-door alert: “Refused to provide ID”

Out of the WSB inbox from someone who lives in the 5900 block of 38th SW (map):

A tall, young, dark haired Caucasian guy appeared at my front door this afternoon (Thursday) at 4:30 and said he represented “GE” but his uniform polo shirt said a different company name (“Pivotal” or “Pinnacle”?). He asked if I was the homeowner, which immediately irked me, and then asked if I attended the “community meeting at the school” about security in the neighborhood, etc. etc. He wanted us to post a sign in our yard advertising his security services; I never saw any signs though he did carry an official looking folio which he never opened. He refused to provide a business card or identification which made me suspicious.

City law requires ID and licenses for door-to-door solicitors – here are the rules (find them any time in the resource section at the bottom of the Crime Watch page).

Mike July 9, 2009 (11:57 pm)

When things like this happen, please call the police immediately.

TW July 10, 2009 (6:47 am)

Sounds like the same alarm system guys that did Beacon Hill in (I think) May.

jason@beaconhill July 10, 2009 (7:34 am)

Sounds like they’re headed west!

http://beaconhill.seattle.wa.us/2009/05/20/door-to-door-alarm-system-solicitors-cause-alarm/

GP July 10, 2009 (8:29 am)

Those are guys from Platinum Protection, they are a security company like ADT who use Door to door salesman to spread the product (they import mormon boys from Utah for the summer). I live in Ravenna now and had one come by, he had is liscence displayed and was actually very nice and a good salesman. But they tell you they’re giving away a free system – they do that to everyone, and so does ADT, and every other company.

Huindekmi July 10, 2009 (9:48 am)

Hopefully, they keep heading west from here.

WSB July 10, 2009 (9:50 am)

Hmm, I don’t know what kind of policy the six-gill sharks have on door-to-door solicitors …

Traci July 10, 2009 (11:25 am)

My son works a for a vinyl window company that does door to door sales. For him it is his first job just out of high school. Not many other jobs available at this time so he is forced to take it.

I can tell you that their bosses have created many tricks up their sleeve to try to get you to buy from them. They are forced to pressure you into at least getting an estimate. That’s when the real sales people come out.

My son has had things thrown at him, doors slammed in his faced etc. One guy even attacked him which landed the homeowner in jail.

If they don’t pressure you they get fired and then hire someone else and the vicious circle continues.

SO please have some compassion for the guys that come to your door. They are only doing their job.

However I personally don’t like sales people as I have experienced some bad ones.

As far as the Alarm Sales Person goes, I live in the country in Pierce County and they came a knocking at my door. I had to push the guy out of my door just to get it closed. I have heard other horror stories of this same company.

Dave July 10, 2009 (3:15 pm)

Just came to my door at 3PM Friday, same schpiel, so he’s doing Walnut Ave at the moment.

WSGuy July 10, 2009 (3:42 pm)

It’s really annoying when these guys ignore “No Sloiciting” signs.

kg July 10, 2009 (5:02 pm)

He is on 49th Ave SW atm. Light brown hair, grey short sleeve polo shirt that said Pinnacle on the chest. Identified himself as representing GE.
I stated “no thank you” and left him stuttering his sales pitch to my slammed front door.

Megan July 11, 2009 (1:15 pm)

GP – I used to work for Homeguard Security, and I can assure you that “every other company” does not, in fact, solicit door-to-door. We only sent a salesperson out by appointment, and those people had ID and left contact information with the customer.

Sorry, comment time is over.