During the late spring, summer, and early fall months, it’s not unusual for homeowners in Sapulpa or other Tulsa bedroom communities to get those doorbell camera notifications alerting them that someone is at their front door.
Aside from dealing with what might be the inconvenience of an unexpected visit, there’s always the chance that you might be getting set up for a scam, or even worse—marked as a prospective burglary victim in the near future.
Thankfully, the City of Sapulpa does have rules and regulations for those who go door-to-door, peddling goods or soliciting services. Knowing these rules might mean a difference in your safety.
Peddler or Solicitor?
Anyone going to door-to-door would fall into one of two categories as defined by the Sapulpa City Code—either a peddler or a solicitor. Both are generally defined as “any person who travels on foot or by any type of conveyance from place to place, from house to house, or from street to street,” but whereas a peddler is someone who is carrying, goods, products or some other merchandise, a solicitor is someone taking or attempting to take orders for said merchandise, or to offer services to be performed in the future. The exception, in both cases, would be a non-profit or charitable organization is not included.
In either case, these peddlers, solicitors must be registered with the city, which includes a background check, a description of the business and what they’re selling and even things such as the content of the signs they’ll use.
Peddlers and solicitors are required by city code to “display their licenses or authorized evidence thereof at all times whenever they are engaged in peddling or soliciting.”
The Better Business Bureau website says the first thing a homeowner should do to avoid being scammed by a door-to-door scammer is to ask for their licensing and identification. This may be enough to get scammers out of your yard and possibly the neighborhood.
If you’ve determined you’re willing to hear what they have to offer, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:
Can only work certain hours and days
Peddlers and solicitors are required to adhere to a certain timespan during which they can peddle their wares or solicit orders. Per City Code, they’re not allowed to conduct business except between the hours of 9:00am and 8:00pm each day of the week, except Sundays.
Be very careful of letting them into your home
Oklahoma summers get hot, and it’s easy to sympathize with anyone making their living walking door-to-door. Still, use caution when deciding whether or not to allow them to cross your threshold. Not only can it be dangerous, it can be even more difficult to get them to leave once they’re inside.
Pay attention to contracts
Whether they’re selling pest control services, magazine subscriptions, or energy drinks, be sure to read all the fine print in your contracts and watch for gimmicks and surprises.
The Federal Trade Commission actually provides a procedure for dealing with short-term buyer’s remorse called the “Three Day Cooling-Off Rule,” by which the buyer has the right to cancel the transaction within three business days.
Stand your ground
If you decide during the presentation that you’re not interested in making a purchase, you can simply ask the salesman to leave. If they do not comply or become pushy, tell them you’ll call the police—and then be sure to follow through if they continue to refuse.
Get a “no soliciting” sign
Sapulpa City Code stipulates that door-to-door salesmen and peddlers must abide by the posted signs regarding solicitation. And where signs are posted that say things like “no soliciting” or “no trespassing,” they are not permitted to attempt to trade, sell, peddle, or solicit there.
