DOOR-TO-DOOR DODGERS

NZ Truth, Issue 998, 10 January 1925, Page 12

DOOR-TO-DOOR DODGERS

SAMPLES Of SHODDY SALESMANSHIP WIVES PAY WHEN HUBBY IS AWAY Some Of The Dollar-Dragging Methods

There are many ways m which suburban housewives are deluded into parting with their money to glib-tongued swindlers and bogus canvassers. It is regrettable that so many women are so ready to lend an ear to oily tricksters wno dangle a bargain" at; them, usually of the something for nothing order. "Truth" would point out that "bargain" and "bogus" are often synonymous terms, but the realisation that she has been duped generally comes to the 1 housewife too late.

There are thousands of ways of telling the tale all well-known to MJessrs. Cheat'em and Bluff em. One being -worked at present is the "ring trick." Provided with a "brummy" ring or ap iece of gilt . jewellery, the trickster knocks at the door, and explains that he just picked this "gold" ring (or brooch or -whatever it is) up at the- front, , and says someone at the house may have dropped it. If the victim "bites" the swindler puts m for his reward. If told "No, it's not mine," hei offers to hand it over for a few shillings, and "you'll be sure and get a big reward when it is advertised." The ' cupidity of . many people is such that they eagerly clutch at the offer only to find that the other fellow had all the best of the "bargain."

FLOWERY FRAUDS AND FAKES

Spring time, when the roses bloom, brings with it a number of hawkers who do well dispensing fake flowers and plants. Often the type of faker will have one good plant m beautiful j bloom. "It's an order you know, so I can't let you have this one," is the plea, but the devious dodger has smaller roots "that will come on just as well." Using the one good sample, which he has no doubt purchased at a good price, as a "stalking horse," as it were, the hawker has little difficulty, m selling worthless rubbish at fabulous' prices. Although gardens are so plentiful throughout New Zealand, the number of people who know nothing about plants, and yet think they know a lot, is astounding. They are "kidded" into buying "the last of this rare variety." The trouble is that this class of take-down ' is somewhat above the common or garden order of swindle- This shark is above the law because he actually sells something m the ordinary way of business. .!; THE PHOTO FRAME FROST. .: Despite repeated exposures various types of photo take-downs are still being worked with unabated success. We are aware that there are a number .of firms engaged m the photo enlargement business on genuine lines. To these our remarks do not apply. The very ancient stunt "beautiful free enlargement just to advertise the firm" snares victims year after year. The canvasser tells a neat tale about the firm being anxious to extend business m "this progressive district." The leading resident m each street (or block) is to receive a "beautiful ; picture free of cost:" All . that she is asked to do is to recommend it to her "many friends." On the face ''•of it, the proposition looks good. The lady of the house is flattered at the reference to her "influence,"' and falls to the bait. Later, she learns that slie has to pay an exorbitant price for the frame. ■ The canvasser, who knows his .work, as. most of then; do, has signed up the victim to an agreement to buy the frame on condition that the photo is given away. If she decline, he threatens to sue for it, and generally manages to sell his dud goods at a profit of about £ 1/5/- on each transaction. It is difficult to gaol this sort of rogue, for he has actually sold you something, and "false representations" are almost , impossible to establish if there is a written agreement. One pair of 'sharks working the district where the writer lives caught about fifty "customers" with this stunt last year. ' ■ •'':■ '■ CUTE CIRCULARS. On this very subject a reader senus "Truth" a circular which conies from the International Art Company, Clarence Street, Sydney, and for ingenious scheming it would ,be hard to beat. The Art Company, for a consideration, of course, proposes to instruct people how. to graduate as shoddy salesmen. And m a chapter headed "Sales Talk" this is how the hook is baited for the mug. The "Salesman" is introducing himself, with our old friends the brummy pliotos: Introduction — Pardon me, how do you spell your name? (P-A-T-T-E-N). 1 wasn't sure, my name is , I came out from ,to see our old friends and customers. . , Commission— l , am advertising the Auretone, Mrs. Oliver and Mrs. Farnum say it's the finest they have ever seen, Mrs. Patten I want your opinion (opens the case).. Isn't that fine? (Yes). (Enthusiastically). Just what they all say. Exactly. Explain Sample.— This pa-inting is the Auretone. Its name is from the sunrays. See that, Mrs. Patten, it's raised m the. centre, makes the face oval, natural, rounds out, the bust . . ■;■• You wouldn't say there was too much color, would you,; Mrs. Patten? Price.— This hand painted Auretone is made from an ordinary photograph and of course is very expensive. The price is £8 without frame, without glass. But: — I am not here to sell. I am here to advertise. : How We Advertise.— Of course, Mrs. ■', Patten, ■ all large Companies advertise m one way or the other. Our . Company believe i m paying a lot of \ money to newspapers and magazines. , Instead we come right -among the people and ; give them, the benefit of the advertising money.. Contest. — (Hold envelopes m your hand, as you say) : To make it fair for all, Mrs. Patten, we fare' conducting an old fashioned', contest to determine the fortunate ones m your section. See these blue checks (expose two and a number of blanks). Only a few of them. Were you ever lucky? Take one (Customer selects envelope). Now we'll just lay it there until I explain. Each home is entitled 1 to two envelopes, but if both are blanks, pl.ease don't blame me, I sometimes call on twenty homes and all select blanks^ Customer Has Check.— A blank. yToo bad, you are not very fortunate are you? Well it didn't cost you any- ' thing, try again. : Well what do you think, you got one, and it is a big ,one. Bring me three or four of your best photographs. I'll, sit right hero while you get them (sjt). Accepting photographs.— This is a picture of your Father,, and this of your Mother ? : They are all right. We can accept them in -.fine shape. Now Mrs. Patten you get a painting of your Father m this £8 work, and this ;cheque pays half, and we are going, to make a painting, of your . Mother absolutely free. You get the two. genuine Auretone paintings for £4. No money to. be paid till they are delivered two months later. . Explains Frames.— Now; Mrs. Patten, these paintings will be delivered m suitable frames. If the .style and -the price of the frame suit you, you. .;■'.: can buy the frames. .Otherwise, just pay/ £4 and. the cheque -'which I have' made payable- to you for the ■ ■paintings., ;■ . ' '■; •"'■'.'. : : >'„. .Verification by. Salesman.— Now let's see if all is clear, Mrs. Patten. What are the paintings to cost'- you m cash? What did I tell you about the frames? Right. ; / '■■'".'.. Final.— l thank you to-day, Mrs. Pat- ; '':teiv you- will • .thank me for many

years to come. Do you suppose there would be any fortunate people up the road? Who lives' m the next house? Good-bye.

In another the salesman is told how to deliver the goods. Arrived -with a swag the circular advises him to put this "talk" across: ' .;

"Good morning, Mrs. Beale! Johnson is my name. I have your paintings. Here are your photographs. I am bringing the painting right m. (Show scene). What do you think of this, Mrs. Beale? Just exactly what they all say. We are advertising this, and unfortunately it 'is not for sale." (You then place it on the floor, scene to the wall, and place your paintings on chair. You then start right on by saying): "We bring- them m frames, Mrs. Beale, for two reasons. One reason is the work is very delicate and all done by hand and naturally we have to protect it; if you were to take one of these out of the frames and put your hand over it, you would really have '£ 8 worth of work m the palm of your hand. Another reason is that most of the people want the frames, but of course "that is entirely up to yourself. , . "Now would you be interested m frames, Mrs. Beale?" (You. wait until she asks you. what price they are, and you reply by say"The price of the pictures is £8 less £4, and the price of the frames is £8, making a total of £12. To those taking the paintings with frames complete, our company have instructed us ■to give these entirely free as a present, for the recommendations we ask you to make.i" ' . „ (You then take the scenes from the wall and place them alongside your two portraits). ; "We have been m business 28 years, and we have discovered that two paintings of scenes with two portrait paintings always draws, the attention." (Now if the customer complains about the high price, you go on by testing the glass with your pliers, explaining that we give nothing but the real Belgian portrait glass.) (You then wait, and again ask her): "How would you like to pay, m cash or cheque?" (If she pays you the. full amount, your sale is through. If she comes back at you, "They are still too high," you go on by saying): "Of course, that is entirely up to yourself, Mrs. Beale, but let me show you. You know Mrs. Jones? Here is her cheque for £12. You know Mrs. Smith? Here is her cheque for £12." (You go on showing the cheques you have for the full amount. ' A very good system is to keep the cheques for £12 together . . ..Always be, sure you get £4 for the portraits first. When you get your £4 take the portrait out and show her the frame; explain how beautiful it is, tell her that you think it' is a shame that she takes £4 and puts it on the palm of her hand and just blow/s it out of the window. That is practically what she is doing. Ninety per cent, of the time a sale is made through this method.) (If you still find you have not put the sale over after you have taken both pictures out, you can go back , at her by saying) : "Now, Mrs. Beale, -if I do something for you, would you give me your word of honor that you would not tell a soul m the neighborhood, whether you accept my proposition or not? We are not allowed to sell these scenes, but several people have offered me as much as 3/- for one; I feel sure 1 can get £2 for this one, because a lady down the road particularly' admired this one and wanted to buy it. Now if I were to buy this painting from you for £2 you would give me permission to sell it, wouldn't you? ' And I am sure you wouldn't mind paying £1 (£10?) for the outfit, without this' one scene, would you?" WORDS OF WARNING. There are numerous other swindles being worked, and new variations of time-dishonored dodges are being evolved every day. "When hubby's away, the' wife will pay" might well be the motto of the door-to-door dodger, whose ingenuity m the pursuit of his nefarious calling is worthy, of. better things. Judging by the number of members of the ring-the-bell-at-the the-door brigade; the work must be profitable m the extreme. Here are a few rules which housewives might well observe: — 1. Don't buy things at the door from strangers. 2. Never pay cash to anyone until the actual goods have been delivered and examined. 3. Never sign any paper promising to pay for anything bought at door. You may only be placing yourself m the power of a swindler. 4. Remember that there are better bargains advertised at shops, than are ever brought to y»ur doorstep.