Stonefield Homes Community on James Island, SC.

Greetings neighborhood presidents, residents and citizens,

After a few months without them, there are complaints the last few days of the magazine sales-people again canvassing the neighborhoods, particularly out Hwy 61, possibly elsewhere. It may be a different company from last time. I advise that you spread the word to neighbors/ neighborhoods, through any websites, newsletters or any other means - NOT to cooperate with or purchase from these often-unscrupulous solicitors.

WHAT TO DO

1) Post a "No Soliciting" sign on YOUR Property. One at he front of the neighborhood holds no weight unless it is a private, gated-type neighborhood or a private apartment complex or condo complex.(Violating this posting is yet another City Code Violation)
2) Tell them to leave, that you are not going to make a purchase.
3) CALL Charleston Police at 577-7434. Give a detailed description and direction of travel.
4) The solicitors usually are in violation of several of the City codes and can at least be ticketed, and in some cases may even be arrested.
5) You may protect yourself or neighbors from being victimized by any number of crimes.

Why not to buy from them:

1) Most obvious, they do not have at this time City of Charleston Business License, or individual Peddlers' Permits. Both are required by City Ordinance. This process includes a few steps dedsigned to protect the consumer including establishing real addresses, and to some extent, criminal checks of applicants.

2) The prices on their subscriptions are much higher than if you went on-line and subscribed yourself, which you wouldn't even do, except that you are trying to "help" this individual.

3) MOST of the sellers - who are from waaaay out-of-state - have at least SOME CRIMINAL HISTORY and/or DRUG USE. Many will even tell you this in their sales pitch stating that they are in this business to try to get themselves back on track.

4) Many of them use aggressive sales tactics, in direct violation of City code.

5) Many of them have a strong reason to steal directly or to commit some sort of fraud involving your check. (At least one was reported in the past few days, last time they were here, several were reported.) They are essentially indentured servants to the company, who has transported them thousands of miles from home, strands them in your neighborhood without any means of getting food or water, and if a customer has second thoughts and takes a check back, the sales-person is still liable to the magazine company for the price of the subscription on the numbered form they just filled out (This is why they argue so hard not to return your money).

6) Once they do have your check, as listed above, often they have changed the dollar amount, or used routing numbers off the check to commit some other fraud, emptying your account.

7) In several of the same neighborhoods these people are working, there have also been reports of theft from vehicles. Coincidence? Probably not.

Sgt. Shelor
Charleston Police Crime Prevention / Community Relations
769-7407