Today’s Sound Off is about vendors from the neighborhood:
Dear Heloise: Last week two men came to my door and said they were cutting down trees. They asked if I would allow them to evaluate my trees and quote me for pruning services. Well, my trees definitely needed pruning, so I said, “Okay.”
They went into the back yard, examined the trees and told me the total cost would be $600. That was lower than the other two estimates I received. So I agreed to let them prune my trees but they wanted to pay the fee upfront.
I never pay in advance. I made that very clear. They said they would settle for half and I still said no and told them to leave my property.
A few weeks later, a neighbor told me about a tree trimming service that came to her door. They tried to tell her that her husband had asked her to do the work and that he had agreed to pay them $800. But they would need a check first. My neighbor slammed the door and called the police. Her husband had been dead for 14 years.
With the summer heat comes the problem of door-to-door sellers. Far too many are scammers. Police said if a contractor says they need the money upfront before you’ve had a chance to view the work, turn them away. If they become aggressive, close and lock the door and call the police immediately. In fact, the police said it would actually be better if they didn’t open the door to strangers.
Since that incident in our neighborhood, most of us went to a hardware store and bought a “No Soliciting” sign for our front doors. – Hazel G., Toledo, Ohio
USE OF PAPER BUTTONS
Ask your grocer for paper bags instead of plastic bags because:
• You can use it to put recycled items in and carry them to the trash.
• You can split it on the side and let your kids draw on the inside of the bag.
• You can store mushrooms in a paper bag (they get mushy in plastic).
• You can use it to bring groceries to a food bank.
• Place a throw and towel in a paper bag. Carry it in the trunk of your car during car trips.
GARDEN ELVES
Dear Heloise, A few years ago you printed a letter about going out into the garden with a pin and carving a child’s name on the side of a watermelon or a pumpkin. As the melon or pumpkin grew, they got their name become more visible and the child would think “garden elves” did it.
This has always been one of my favorite clues because my grandkids get so excited when they see their names on them Vegetables. In fact, they think the vegetables are just for them and can’t wait for them to ripen enough for them to eat. This is how I got my 4 year old grandson to eat acorn squash. —Georgia T., Bakersfield, California
Send comments or questions to Heloise, PO Box 795001, San Antonio TX 78279-5001 or email Heloise@Heloise.com.
www.thenewsenterprise.com
https://www.thenewsenterprise.com/door-to-door-tree-trimmers-trying-to-pull-a-con/article_9ccf0fc9-8e12-54d9-9126-821808dffab6.html
