[MnGirl]

We have no soliciting in the Villages, if we don't stop landscapers we open the door to all kinds of solicitation.
These people have cheated more residents and yet we allow them in. STOP buying, tell your neighbors, report them to Village Watch and make them GO AWAY. How is it that seniors (residents with life experience), spend thousands of dollars and don't know what they are buying or know the company they are doing business with? Then, after they have been cheated, they don't spread the word.
Most of these companies do not have any insurance, so if someone gets hurt on your property it's on you. Most don't have any working capital and will ask for money up front. It seems that ninty percent of them will not call you back if there is a problem.
These shady companies see the residents as a bunch of gullable old suckers. Why do you think there were 19 landscapers last year and there are more than 45 today. If you don't want to get taken, go to a business that has a location/storefront where you may go if there are problems, not just a cell phone.

[homeball]

Originally Posted by MnGirl

We have no soliciting in the Villages, if we don't stop landscapers we open the door to all kinds of solicitation.
These people have cheated more residents and yet we allow them in. STOP buying, tell your neighbors, report them to Village Watch and make them GO AWAY. How is it that seniors (residents with life experience), spend thousands of dollars and don't know what they are buying or know the company they are doing business with? Then, after they have been cheated, they don't spread the word.
Most of these companies do not have any insurance, so if someone gets hurt on your property it's on you. Most don't have any working capital and will ask for money up front. It seems that ninty percent of them will not call you back if there is a problem.
These shady companies see the residents as a bunch of gullable old suckers. Why do you think there were 19 landscapers last year and there are more than 45 today. If you don't want to get taken, go to a business that has a location/storefront where you may go if there are problems, not just a cell phone.

[TommyT]

Originally Posted by MnGirl

We have no soliciting in the Villages, if we don't stop landscapers we open the door to all kinds of solicitation.
These people have cheated more residents and yet we allow them in. STOP buying, tell your neighbors, report them to Village Watch and make them GO AWAY. How is it that seniors (residents with life experience), spend thousands of dollars and don't know what they are buying or know the company they are doing business with? Then, after they have been cheated, they don't spread the word.
Most of these companies do not have any insurance, so if someone gets hurt on your property it's on you. Most don't have any working capital and will ask for money up front. It seems that ninty percent of them will not call you back if there is a problem.
These shady companies see the residents as a bunch of gullable old suckers. Why do you think there were 19 landscapers last year and there are more than 45 today. If you don't want to get taken, go to a business that has a location/storefront where you may go if there are problems, not just a cell phone.

My concern is the type of people doing the door to door sales. They may be criminals and when you are not home, break in.... Some homeowners don't rent their homes out and are only PT's. These people may be scammers and casers looking for an opportunity.

I dislike any door to door sales.....

[rjm1cc]

As we get older we lose some of our ability to recognize a scam or overpriced services. Thus I think it is good advice for the older residences to stick to established vendors that have a reputation of being fair over the years. Younger residences can test out the new businesses.

[hedoman]

e had a drive by by Tree Barbers and I could NOT get rid of him politely. Finally I asked for a card and said I'd call him. Even knowing I had a guy under contract didn't stop him. They left only after his partner ed in the middle of our street.......

[getdul981]

Originally Posted by MnGirl

We have no soliciting in the Villages, if we don't stop landscapers we open the door to all kinds of solicitation.
These people have cheated more residents and yet we allow them in. STOP buying, tell your neighbors, report them to Village Watch and make them GO AWAY. How is it that seniors (residents with life experience), spend thousands of dollars and don't know what they are buying or know the company they are doing business with? Then, after they have been cheated, they don't spread the word.
Most of these companies do not have any insurance, so if someone gets hurt on your property it's on you. Most don't have any working capital and will ask for money up front. It seems that ninty percent of them will not call you back if there is a problem.
These shady companies see the residents as a bunch of gullable old suckers. Why do you think there were 19 landscapers last year and there are more than 45 today. If you don't want to get taken, go to a business that has a location/storefront where you may go if there are problems, not just a cell phone.

Soon after we closed there was a man who came by and wanted to do some landscaping (I think that's what it was) and I asked if he had a license. He said that he did not, so I told him he was not supposed to be in here doing this sort of thing. He told me "I'm just trying to make a living." My wife says I shoud have told him to get a license and do it legally, but you can never think of things like that in the moment.

[Brewster]

We have to stop giving them business. But they get our business by a low low price, and then when the job is done wrong we complain. We all know better, a business cannot survive on a really low hourly rate, or cutting your grass for 10 bucks a week. Seems if you have a lawn mower and a truck your in the landscape business.

[Biancarose]

I have tried a few landscapers. What I need is someone that knows how to cut the grass, when to cut and how often. I need someone that can edge neatly and not chop the grass or make holes. We have just hired Hulett for maintenance, any comments? A recommendation for the landscaper?

[Bryan]

Too many TV residents are under the impression that door-to-door sales or home solicitation is against the law in TV. That is not true! There may be language in your deed restrictions or covenants against door-to-door solicitation but think about it - that applies only to property owners. How many of those soliciting door-to-door are TV property owners? Yes, Community Watch will "monitor" them until they leave but they can't legally stop them. Local law enforcement may not be interested as it is not against the law to sell door-to-door.

What IS AGAINST THE LAW is to solicit door-to-door without a Home Solicitation Sales Permit. Florida Statutes 501.022 covers this subject. The sales personnel are supposed to show you their permit when they come to your door to make their sales pitch. If they don't have one or refuse to show it to you, that is against the law. You can report that to local law enforcement. Make sure you report it correctly - door-to-door sales without a Home Solicitation Sales Permit and/or refusal to show you their permit as required by FS 501.022.

This is not a major, high priority crime so don't expect multiple patrol cars to come screaming up to your door, lights and sirens operating, in response to your call.

[Figmo Bohica]

Just put up a sign,

"Every third solicitor is feed to my German Shepherd, the second one just left; Still want to knock on that door."

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Bryan

This is not a major, high priority crime so don't expect multiple patrol cars to come screaming up to your door, lights and sirens operating, in response to your call.

Dang! I was looking so forward to the excitement!

Originally Posted by Figmo Bohica

Just put up a sign,

"Every third solicitor is feed to my German Shepherd, the second one just left; Still want to knock on that door."

Before I started reading these posts, I thought to myself... "Time to call in Figmo!"

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by MnGirl

We have no soliciting in the Villages, if we don't stop landscapers we open the door to all kinds of solicitation.
These people have cheated more residents and yet we allow them in. STOP buying, tell your neighbors, report them to Village Watch and make them GO AWAY. How is it that seniors (residents with life experience), spend thousands of dollars and don't know what they are buying or know the company they are doing business with? Then, after they have been cheated, they don't spread the word.
Most of these companies do not have any insurance, so if someone gets hurt on your property it's on you. Most don't have any working capital and will ask for money up front. It seems that ninty percent of them will not call you back if there is a problem.
These shady companies see the residents as a bunch of gullable old suckers. Why do you think there were 19 landscapers last year and there are more than 45 today. If you don't want to get taken, go to a business that has a location/storefront where you may go if there are problems, not just a cell phone.

Thanks MnGirl, this is a good reminder. I personally like to use Terrascape or Fairfield Farms. Both landscapers have huge storefront locations on CR 301, and you can choose your own plantings.

[Figmo Bohica]

SkyGuy79, if you need him, he is willing to help you out. At the price of dog food any extra we can get for him is a good deal.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

Before I started reading these posts, I thought to myself... "Time to call in Figmo!"

Sky, that is just too cute and perfect. You crack me up!

[Jim Straz]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Sky, that is just too cute and perfect. You crack me up!

Those Dirty Rats, sorry meant Cats! http://www.wimp.com/catshowers/