Sidewalk and Parking Lots Peddlers
It is the weekend and you are striking out to complete a list of errands. As you pull into the parking lot of a neighborhood mall or store, you see some enticing signs for “high quality” equipment, furniture, jewelry or artwork that is displayed on the blacktop. The advertised prices are extremely low and possibly worth checking out, you decide. The BBB suggests think again, as it is a good bet you are about to get taken.
It is known as the “white van” or the “parking lot peddler” scam. People driving white vans or sport utility vehicles pull into a parking lot to display their wares. The packaging looks legitimate, the merchants will swear that the products are not stolen, and assure you that they can be returned if you are not completely satisfied. What they do not tell you is that they will be long gone by the time you discover the products are defective, not high quality, or counterfeit brands. The salesperson’s “satisfaction guaranteed” or “return for full refund” claims are worthless.
Are you going to be able to track down that particular sidewalk vendor again? If he is not there, do you know the name of their business and its physical location? Were you provided with a business card with contact information or a sales receipt with a printed return and exchange policy? Chances are, the answer to each of these questions is “no.”
What can you do? Probably not much, if you were a smart consumer you made the purchase by credit card. If you are unhappy with the product, contact your credit card within the company’s timeline for disputes, you may be able to dispute the charge; thus saving the money you threw away on a worthless product.
For more advice you can trust from BBB on visit www.bbb.org or call the BBB of Acadiana at 981-3497.