What was I thinking?

I am a mother who is always warning my children (as most mothers do) about the dangers of things.  Don't get in the car with a stranger, don't help find a lost pet, don't take candy from strangers, and don't let someone in the house you don't know the list goes on and on!

Well, Sunday afternoon, my husband and I were sitting in the front room just talking away and someone knocks at the door.  I answer it and its a nicely groomed young man with a big personality.  He is a neighbor (not so sure now) and most of my neighbors have helped him with this contest.  He was selling magazine subscriptions, and looking forward to earning his trip to be a host on Sports Channel.  I'm telling you this kid was a great salesman.  I typically politely say, "No thank you" and that is the end of it.  But I took a look at his list of magazines, and wouldn't you know it, if there wasn't any I was interested in, they would be willing to send a subscription of my choice to a local hospital.  Who wouldn't want to help out those in the hospital?  I guess at this point SUCKER was written all over my forehead.  He asked to come in to write down the information, of course, he seemed like a nice guy and my husband was home, what could he possibly do?

Well this young man with a big personality was just joking and talking up a storm.  Petting the cats, talking about how his parents say he should find out what people do for a living to become more rounded.  Well, I order a 2 year subscription to a magazine. 

Shortly after he left my husband and my daughter, who was in the other room at the time, asked me what I was thinking?  Hello... you couldn't have stopped me before he left with my check?  Immediately I got a pit in my stomach.  I have taken the CPA (Citizens Police Academy) I know he should have had a permit a badge or something to show he is registered with the village of Carol Stream.  I walked outside with my husband to see where he was off to, thinking that now I should contact the police.  He was gone, disappeared into thin air.  I got in my car and drove up and down the street, he was still no where to be found. 

Now all kinds of thoughts are going through my head, check washing, identity theft, stalking, scam.  OK maybe I am going overboard, but I believe I have been taken.  The amount of money wasn't much, but he sure was good at getting all kinds of information from us with his winning personality. 

Today I looked over the receipt, the one I had to ask for otherwise I don't think I would have gotten one, and there is NO phone number!  On the back a disclaimer about cancellation within 3 business days.  I decided I would look up the website that was on the receipt with the BBB.  Wouldn't you know it, "Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record  with the Bureau due to unresolved complaints."

So now I go to the website to see what else I can find out.  There really isn't much information there either, however the guy that was at my house was pictured with many others.  All of these "sales people" couldn't have been more than 19 years old.  I'm now feeling bad for these kids, what have they gotten themselves into?  I find the contact us link and there is only a form to complete and they will get back to me via email within 24 hours.  I don't want to wait 24 hours.  I find a phone number on the BBB's site and call it.  Its a cell phone number, with a voice mail that has not been set up.  Now I know I should have said No thank you!  I fill out their form and tell them my frustrations with contacting them, and that I will be stopping payment on my check. 

Stopping payment on a check $32.00

Lesson learned   PRICELESS!

Listen to what you tell your children, it is meant for the adults too.  There is a reason why we tell our children these things.  There is a sucker born everyday, and I guess Sunday was my day! 

Have you done something and later you realize wasn't such a good idea?