BBB warns of door-to-door pine straw scams in Middle Georgia
Homeowners are urged to slow down, ask questions, and report threats as pine straw scammers overcharge and intimidate victims.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — That knock at the door offering pine straw may cost you more than expected, according to local officials.
Kelvin Collins, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia, says his office has seen a rise in calls related to door-to-door pine straw scams.
“They come up and give you a great price to do the pine straw, put it down and everything, then by the time they’re done, they have either doubled or tripled the money they’re going to charge you—saying they used more bales than what they thought,” he said. “And then they start bullying the homeowners, especially senior citizens.”
Collins advises homeowners to ask questions before agreeing to any service from door-to-door sellers.
“Make sure they are a local company that you can refer back to,” he said. “Also, are they licensed to do business in the area? Are they licensed to go door to door? The main thing—you own your door, you get to determine who stands at your door and gives you a sales price.
He also cautioned homeowners not to feel rushed.
“But also, if you’re not looking for something, you’re not looking for it,” he said. “So, if someone comes along and they’ve got a deal on pine straw, that gives you a good opportunity to say, ‘Leave your card, and let me get other estimates, and I’ll call you back.'”
Warner Robins Police Sergeant Brad Mules shared more tips for how to handle this type of scam.
“If you want to ask them to come back, that’s part of the slow-down aspect,” he said. “You may want that pine straw down that day—it could go down tomorrow. That will give you time to look at Facebook pages, to contact their business, to look on the internet to see if these people are legit. That’s what we suggest.”
The Better Business Bureau and law enforcement urge anyone who feels threatened or pressured by door-to-door sellers to contact police immediately.
