Bangin’ down the door

Doorbells in Mill Creek will see a lot more action than usual this summer.

More than 40 businesses have filed applications with the city for peddler permits in the last two months alone. Residents can expect door-to-door visits from sales people pushing a range of products from home security systems and windows to magazine subscriptions and meat products.

Peddlers in Mill Creek are required by law to obtain licenses and ID badges from the city clerk, but that doesn’t guarantee the individuals — or the companies they represent — are legitimate.

“Residents sometimes look at these licenses like endorsements and they’re not that at all,” City Clerk Kelly Chelin said. “We require these businesses to register, because we want to know who’s in our city. We don’t run extensive background and credit checks on peddlers.”

The city screens all peddler applicants for previous convictions in Washington, but few people are turned away.

“We have no right to check a person’s criminal record outside of Washington and we can only refuse licenses to individuals who are considered an extreme threat to the public,” Mill Creek Police Chief Bob Crannell said. “We won’t give licenses to sex offenders or anyone with previous fraud convictions or con artists.”

There have been no reported cases in Mill Creek of peddler related scams, but residents should still be cautious of opening their doors to strangers and handing out personal information.

“It’s the obligation of the consumers to do their due diligence,” Crannell said. “A lot of folks find it hard to say no to these people; they’d rather be polite and let them in than slam the door.”

The police department often receives calls from anxious residents who — in the course of being friendly — gave away sensitive information about family finances or security systems. In most cases, nothing criminal comes of interactions between residents and peddlers.

“The majority of these folks are legitimate and they’re just trying to do their job,” Crannell said. “But it’s OK to turn them away or post a no-solicitors sign on your door or ask them to come back later. If they refuse to leave, you call 9-1-1.”

Consumers can investigate specific products, services and businesses, through multiple agencies including the Better Business Bureau and the state Attorney General’s office.

Crannell suggests common sense as the best defense.

“Most of the bad (peddlers) will come early in the day when there’s usually only one family member at home,” he said. “If you’ve got little kids, don’t open the door. If you don’t want to buy anything, don’t open the door.”

The following list includes tips on dealing with peddlers and information about consumer rights and responsibilities:

• It is against the law for peddlers to solicit at homes where “no solicitor” signs are clearly posted. Residents are encouraged to call 9-1-1 if a peddler refuses to leave a property or does not adhere to “no solicitors” postings.

• City-issued licenses and ID badges are not endorsements of products, services or businesses. Residents should contact City Hall if they are solicited by unlicensed peddlers or peddlers claiming they are endorsed by the city.

• Licensed peddlers in Mill Creek have been screened for previous convictions in Washington only. The city does not perform credit checks on peddlers and cannot guarantee that peddlers have not been convicted of crimes in other states.

• Police warn residents to use caution when opening their doors to strangers. Residents looking after small children should be especially careful.

• Solicitors for political campaigns, churches, youth groups, schools, charities and similar organizations are not subject to the same licensing requirements as peddlers.

• To verify whether a business is licensed in Washington, visit the State Department of Licensing Web site at www.dol.wa.gov.

• For consumer alerts on current scams and information about consumer rights and responsibilities visit the State Attorney General’s Office at www.atg.wa.gov.

• The Better Business Bureau, welcome.bbb.org, is another helpful resource for consumers and may provide information about a business’ history and record of service.