BBB and Law Enforcement Warn:
ACI Magazine aka Atlantic Circulation, Inc.
Door-to-Door Magazine Sales Group Hires Street Kids,
Sends Them Door-to-Door Selling Magazines, Doesn’t Deliver
ACI Magazine aka Atlantic Circulation, Inc.
2550 Kingston Road
York, PA 17402
(717) 755-3480
The BBB and local law enforcement authorities warn our regional parents, job-seeking youth as well as consumers approached by this door-to-door magazine sales group mentioned above to be educated about the highly questionable regional hiring and sales activities being reported.
According to police reports, vulnerable youth (in particular, street or homeless kids) are hired on as door-to-door magazine salespeople. They are instructed to go door-to-door pitching potential customers a story such as “I’m raising money for a class trip,” or “I need college tuition,” in exchange for the promise of magazine subscriptions. They are instructed to collect cash from customers. The money is turned over to the salesperson’s boss, and no magazines are ever delivered.
It’s been brought to the attention of local law enforcement that youth have been taken all over Washington (Spokane, Spokane Valley, Post Falls, Tri-Cities, Moscow and Coeur D’Alene, ID, as well as to Florida and California.
In this region, the boss drives a white Hummer, pulling a trailer with a sign that says “Gregg’s Sales” on it. The white Hummer and trailer have Pennsylvania plates. There are several vehicles that transport youth door-to-door, including a greenish suburban with Missouri plates.
The BBB report states that this company has been responsive to any complaints brought to its attention by the BBB. As of the date of this release, 65 complaints have been processed by the BBB with complaints mostly concerning selling practices and delivery issues.
The BBB suggests that if you have an unresolved issue concerning this company to file both a police report with your local law enforcement as well as a formal complaint with the BBB at: www.bbb.org
TIPS ON DOOR-TO-DOOR MAGAZINE SALES EMPLOYING YOUTH
“Our organization was founded to give kids like me summer jobs so we can stay off the streets and avoid gangs and drugs. Can you help us by buying our product?”
“I’m selling magazine subscriptions to earn a college scholarship. For each magazine I sell, the group I work for provides scholarship funds for my education.”
Sound familiar? Every year crews of teenagers and young adults travel to towns across the country peddling magazines. They show up on your doorstep with stories such as how you can help them avoid inner-city troubles by buying their product. The cause sounds admirable, they appear to be hard working, so why not help out?
Before making a decision, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises you to consider the following: The National Consumers League estimates that 50,000 children nationwide are involved in traveling sales crews selling consumer items door-to-door and on city street corners. The youth groups are transported hundreds of miles from their homes, often across state lines. Unfortunately, many of these young people are victims. The League has consistently ranked “traveling crews” among the worst jobs available for youth and indicates that they can also constitute a dangerous environment.
BBB files reflect that the organizers of these crews may falsely present themselves as charitable and civic-minded groups. In such cases the organizer is the victimizer. In fact, many are for-profit operations that take advantage of their young and vulnerable “workers.” The youths are taught to use high-pressure appeals and basically live out of vans and hotels. The organizer also may keep your “donation” or “subscription money” and not pass it along to any charity, community group or publisher. Further, these young people often make little or no money in wages despite the help-wanted advertisements luring them with claims of “big money” and “fun and travel.”
Employing the young plays on your sympathy; it may also violate state wage and employment laws. Various news media have reported abusive treatment of young sales crews. Minors report having been sexually harassed and physically assaulted; some have been left stranded with no means of transportation home. In addition, the young people are typically expected to work long hours with little rest and it is not uncommon for them to be exposed to illegal drugs or underage drinking. Parents often discover too late the perils to which their children have been exposed.
Certainly, there are legitimate youth fundraisers. And yes, they may come knocking. However, the next time a youth sales crew appears on your doorstep, it may be wise not to assume that it represents a local school or youth group. Ask for the name of the organization and other details. You may also want to inquire about the welfare of the young “worker.” Many localities require licensing for door to door sales, so do inquire and verify that aspect of any door to door sales presentation.