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November 2005 |
Question:
When salespeople
come to my door, it unnerves me, hearing so much these days about home
invasions and scams. How do I know that every person who rings my door
bell selling something is for real?
Answer:
Legitimate sales solicitors who sell door to door are required to have a permit. Florida Statute 501.022 requires anyone intending to engage in “home solicitation” to file a sworn application for a permit in writing with the Clerk of Circuit Court for the county in which they intend to conduct home solicitation sales. Home solicitation includes door to door sales of items for more than $25, such as vacuum cleaners. This does not apply to the sale of insurance or farm equipment. The application requires the person’s name, address, telephone number, complete set of fingerprints, etc.
Some exclusions to
this Statute are: (1) "Minors" (definition) - any person who
has not attained the age of 18 years; (2) solicitors, salespersons, or
agents making calls on behalf of a religious, charitable, scientific,
educational, or veterans' institution or organization holding a sales
tax exemption certificate under s. 212.08(7)(a); (3) Telephone solicitors,
sales persons making calls involving transactions consummated by telephone
without any other contact between the buyer and seller prior to delivery
of the goods or performance of the services; (4) salespersons making calls
or business visits upon the express invitation, oral or written, of the
inhabitant of the premises or his or her agent; (5) a salesperson making
calls or soliciting orders at the usual place of business of a customer
regarding products or services in connection with the customers business.
More information on Home Solicitation can be obtained by going to Florida
Statutes 501.022. If a person is caught practicing home solicitation
sales without a permit, or whose permit is expired, suspended or revoked
is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor. Subsequent convictions for violations
of this statute are felonies of the third degree (Florida Statute 501.055).
If you are suspicious of a person presenting him or herself as a door
to door salesperson, ask to see their permit from the Clerk of Court’s
office but keep in mind the long list of exclusions to the permit requirement.