Aggressive solicitors prompt police education

The Pocatello Police Department is seeing an increase in calls from residents complaining about aggressive door-to-door salespeople. Police say these salespeople are very high-pressure, but say the best way to combat their tactics is to know your rights.

“If you refuse the sale of the item or the service, you’re done,” said Lt. Paul Manning in support services. “You’re not obligated to continue to barter with them any further. They’re supposed to just leave.”

Manning said if they don’t leave you can get law enforcement involved.

“If they try to talk their way into your house or if they continue to talk you into the sale, close the door in their face, whatever you’ve got to do,” he said. “Then call the police department. “

Manning said solicitors should have a tag visible that has their picture on it. That means they have a license in the city to solicit door-to-door. If they don’t have it visible, you can ask to see it. If they refuse, Manning says that’s when you know something’s not right.

Manning said applicants for solicitation have to pass a background check, and recently some of the applicants haven’t.

“But we have some suspicion that they’re out there selling anyway,” Manning said. “So it’s very important they verify that this person is licensed to sell.”

Manning says a no soliciting sign may do the trick with some, but with these high-pressure folks, many claim they didn’t see it and you can’t really prove they didn’t. He also warned these high-pressure salespeople will try to get you to sign a contract with same-day service, and the police can’t pursue anything criminal once that contract is signed.

Manning said it’s particularly important for the elderly to be aware of this problem, as they can be targeted. He also said the soliciting ordinance generally only applies to for-profit organizations. Religious or political organizations and school fundraisers don’t apply.