[MMMark]

Yesterday around 3 my wife and I were relaxing at home, watching a little TV. The doorbell rang...dog went nuts, we debated whether my wife or I should get the door...I did, finally. An attractive young lady, short brown hair, petite, maybe 24 was standing there and began muttering something about having missed another resident for delivery of some frozen meats & seafood, did I want a fantastic deal as she HAD to "unload" this shipment somewhere, etc. I was quite taken aback, not fully awake, and simply told her "No, we don't deal in stuff like this" and sent her on her way. She appeared to have emerged from a white colored panel truck, although it was
partially blocked from view from where I was standing outside my door with her.

Later I thought, as did my wife, that I should have immediately called the authorities. Were they casing our place? Truly selling frozen food...but even so, that's not legal here, right? What should I have done? Anyone have a similar tale?

[Happinow]

We were found in the same position about 6 months ago when a white truck with two guys pulled into our driveway. They said the exact same thing. Someone missed a delivery and could we help them out. They said they had "restaurant quality" fish, steaks, pork and chicken. I was immediately Leary but my husband said let me go take a look. So he did and they suckered him into shrimp, some other kind of fish, chicken, strip steaks, filet steaks and ribeye steak. He brought them in and the guys left after getting paid. (I can't even say how much we overpaid!!). I looked through them and the steaks were about 1/4" thick, chicken was a consistancy I'd never eaten before as was the tenderloin beef steaks. After forcing ourselves to eat about 6 meals of this stuff I finally put it in the garbage. It wasn't fit for human consumption, yet they claimed it was restaurant quality. Don't get taken by these scam artists. Never buy product peddled out of the back of a truck.

[jim1941]

Probably stolen merchandise.....IMHO

[buzzy]

When I told the steak guy that there is no soliciting in The Villages he became defensive and waved a badge on a lanyard. When I told him that I don't by meat from a truck, he became irate. He would not leave my doorstep until I tried to get a better look at the badge. Then he made a rapid retreat. I took a picture of the truck, but it had no markings. In retrospect, I should have called Community Watch.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by buzzy

When I told the steak guy that there is no soliciting in The Villages he became defensive and waved a badge on a lanyard. When I told him that I don't by meat from a truck, he became irate. He would not leave my doorstep until I tried to get a better look at the badge. Then he made a rapid retreat. I took a picture of the truck, but it had no markings. In retrospect, I should have called Community Watch.

Don't call Community Watch. They won't/can't do anything. Call the police. That's what CW told me when I called them.

[applesoffh]

We went through the same thing yesterday, also. It was the "last box of steak" $40.00. This happened to us before and we quickly said no. White panel truck, but we got a guy that came to the door.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Happinow

We were found in the same position about 6 months ago when a white truck with two guys pulled into our driveway. They said the exact same thing. Someone missed a delivery and could we help them out. They said they had "restaurant quality" fish, steaks, pork and chicken. I was immediately Leary but my husband said let me go take a look. So he did and they suckered him into shrimp, some other kind of fish, chicken, strip steaks, filet steaks and ribeye steak. He brought them in and the guys left after getting paid. (I can't even say how much we overpaid!!). I looked through them and the steaks were about 1/4" thick, chicken was a consistancy I'd never eaten before as was the tenderloin beef steaks. After forcing ourselves to eat about 6 meals of this stuff I finally put it in the garbage. It wasn't fit for human consumption, yet they claimed it was restaurant quality. Don't get taken by these scam artists. Never buy product peddled out of the back of a truck.

I was relieved to see your last two sentences.......but wow, you were lucky you didn't get very sick. God only knows where that stuff came from.....and what was in it.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Why doesn't everyone go to Ace or Do-It Hdwe., Lowe's or Home Depot and get one of those small "No Soliciting" signs and stick it to the front door; I did and no door to door people ever knock. Problem solved.

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

Why doesn't everyone go to Ace or Do-It Hdwe., Lowe's or Home Depot and get one of those small "No Soliciting" signs and stick it to the front door; I did and no door to door people ever knock. Problem solved.

Even here, in The Villages?

[NYGUY]

This is a well known scam that has been going on for years.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by NYGUY

This is a well known scam that has been going on for years.

I agree, but the scam has been going on for decades. And it's not limited to The Villages or even to Florida.
I've experienced similar scams in subdivisions in Canada.
The thought of buying left-over meat or fish from the back of a truck ......

[Sandtrap328]

This is a scam to try and make the homeowner believe they are getting a great bargain. The meat is not stolen. It is just very low quality meat.

Remember, it it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Just smile, say "no thanks" and close your door. It is not worth a confrontation to argue or to try and take a picture of their truck.

[graciegirl]

I think this is poor quality meat from heaven knows where. I think they have tried to hit up all of us. We just say no.

[Chatbrat]

A person came to my door several months ago, I called community watch- they know the individual & they said there is nothing they can do-

[MMMark]

Appreciate the feedback thus far folks; thanks to you all. I think I'm going to get the "No Soliciting" sign and put it up here. This worked well for us in WI and no reason it can't here, too. All in all, sounds like we did OK by just sending her (them?) on their way.