Montrose - Daily Press

Friendly Awareness

There is a group of young individuals cruising the neighborhoods of Montrose in search of your help to win a contest in which the late-teen age individuals are competing to win a trip to Rome, Italy.  The premise seems legitimate, but unfortunately the sales pitch is a little off and the sales person or persons are definately struggling to maintain both clarity and presentability when soiliciting their product. 

The teens are working for a company named "Atlantic Circulation".  The website is:  www.atlanticcirculation.com   The site is extremely vague and incomprehensive, but has a great FAQ regarding what to do in the event that you want a refund or need to contact customer service, and makes no warranty as to the verbal agreements issued by the salesperson...

Advertisement

 A quick read of the following information from www.complaintsboard.com regarding Atlantic Circulation exposes some pretty undesirable circumstances in which the magazines are sold, the treatment of the teens involved and unfortunatly the dissapointed individuals which paid into this solicitation.

So please remember that solicitation is only allowed if you allow it yourself.  It is unfortunate that the teens involved in this may not necessarily be obtaining those skills which might make them bettter sales persons or create a work ethic which might be encourageing them to act responsibly.  I offer the following experience from todays encounter:

The individual rang the doorbell and was proclaiming how cool it was that we answered the door.  Then immediatly began explaining that he was just 400 points away from a sure trip to Rome Italy because he was doing so well selling magazines.  The individual said that he had undertaken the sales job due to being counciled somewhere that he must improve upon his public speaking skills.  From there it was a quick look at two zip lock baggies which held typed cards revealing the handfull of magazines available.  But before the baggies came out, a lovely double sided flyer folded neatly was whipped out in a fashion reminiscent of a magic show, the abruptly stuffed back into the the tattered and stained jeans of the young individual.  Prior to shaking my hand the individual graciously wiped his hands off on his tee shirt and was completely aware that both of his shoes were untied.  I asked the individual if he was attending Montrose High School and he replied that he was homeschooled but not around here.  It was difficult to gather in all that was transpiring with the young individual, but we felt uncomfortable in continuing with the sales pitch and tried to give the individual positive communication towards his goal to go to Rome.  The young man flatly asked if we knew of any other "cool" neighbors around because we just weren't cool enough to purchase some magazines.  And he moved along.

Unfortunately the story continues...  Less than 5 houses away and about 10 minutes later, I was visiting with a neighbor and both of us watched as the young man politely rapped on the door of the house across the way and though he could find no one home, he proceeded to step across the driveway and into the corner of the house and the fence and relieve himself while lighting up a cigarette.  A much needed break after pounding the pavement in our 20 house subidivision for the past hour. 

Then the individual moved along and was picked up nearly 20 minutes later by an early 20's adult driving a silver Ford Expedition with Texas plates and fancy silver wheels.  I approched the two to asked the driver if he was in charge of the teen I had witnessed relieving himself across the way and he replied that he was, although I did not get a name.  But I did find out that a crew of 5 total teens and this young adult were working all over Montrose today and had just come from spending a few days in Grand Junction.  The driver was nice enough to name the company they worked for and nice enough to stop and talk.  The adult apologized for the teen's behavior and said they would be moving on.  At that time he tipped his ball cap and left the subdivision. 

Good luck to all of you wonderful people in this community, especially those trying to make a living and rely on the kindness and generosity of others during times which may be difficult or which may need a helping hand in order to forge ahead. 

Comments

areader wrote on Sep 24, 2009 8:02 AM:

" This is a very old scam that Denver residents have seen for years--someone with a van drops some kids off in a middle class neighborhood to solicit donations. They usually drag out some flyer that you never get a chance to read, saying it's a program to "keep kids like me off the streets." Which would appear to be wxactly where their sketchy employer has placed them! Of course it's a scam, be polite and ask them to leave. "




Report Abuse

same here wrote on Sep 23, 2009 5:34 PM:

" (cont) they talk so fast, and he also commented on me being nice enough to open the door. When I began questioning the company, he quickly changed the subject by asking me if I was 4:20 friendly? Not catching what he meant I said yes, and he began talking about some house he had been to that had pot all over, and asked if he could come in and smoke!!!! I said no and suggested he leave the TOWN. "




Report Abuse

same here wrote on Sep 23, 2009 5:31 PM:

" Thanks for the story, I also had a young man visit me here in Olathe, and had almost the EXACT same story. BUT I was on a website a few days earlier, and had been warned about this. They sell you your mags, and sometimes they never come, than you call customer service numbers and they are disconnected. But they have cashed your check! (cont) "




Report Abuse