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Show Se Careful On Sales Pitches The Division of Consumer Affairs alert for today involves advice to businesses and sales pitches that may be made and which the person contacted feels will prove beneficial to the growth in sales. ORGANIZATIONS used as sponsors for a specific event or which allow their names to be used for the purpose of collecting collect-ing money for different promotional promo-tional ventures vary. Some of these organizations are legitimate legiti-mate and do a service for their members. Others allow organizers orga-nizers of a promotional venture ven-ture to use their names and are not really aware of the manner in which they operate. Many are repeat performers and have a thorough knowledge know-ledge of their contacts. They range from athletic events, annual yearbooks, newspapers, newspap-ers, placemats, Christmas funds for the needy, proposed training programs, baseball or football programs for the kids and on and on. MOST OF the pitches originate ori-ginate with a telephone call and may sound similar to this: "Good morning Joe. How are you? How is your family? I hope they are all in good health." If the person calling has personal knowledge of an incident or fact that will create a more intimate feeling such as "I still feel sorry for you because be-cause of the passing of your wife and often think of you, Joe," he or she will use it. Then comes the "I suppose you know who this is, Joe." The individuals contacted if they have had prior dealings will help the caller with his or her own identification, making the call much easier. If there is hesitation or if it is a new contact con-tact the approach may alter to "This is George from XYZ. We are working on our yearly paper, training program or whatever. Your company was recommended to us by so and so that is if the caller has a name that will be recognized by the individual called. . "SINCE THE paper or whatever will be sent to all state and local officials, other organizations named and a mailing list so long, I know you will want to take out an ad, buy tickets, contribute to this worthy cause, etc., and either myself or Bogie will pick up your check this afternoon and thank you." The sooner the better. They may change their minds. If the money is cash, the probability of it going into the pocket of the pickup is great. If a company com-pany has determined to participate: partici-pate: 1. PAY WITH a company check made out to the organization. organi-zation. Never pay in cash. 2. Verify the persons, organization orga-nization and the sponsor. Get a signed receipt. 3. TAKE THE time to see if adequate mailing material is provided and if it is mailed, not just a copy to you. Make certain cer-tain you are getting what you paid for. It's your money. 4. Make a record of the number num-ber of times you are called, the purpose and name of caller and organization. ARE THE sums of money collected really going for the . purpose outlined or are they being split by the promoter? They are not all scams. There are those who document their activities and will make them available upon request. DO NOT confuse legitimate charitable organizations or. membership organizations who have proper credentials and who are serving a worthy cause. |