Bah! Humbug! Avoid uninvited solicitors

One of the sales people would give a well-rehearsed and leng- thy (quite convincing) spiel regarding children’s large coloring books and little talking snowmen, etc., at very reasonable prices, throwing in extra sets, two for the price of one, and everything.
It was witnessed firsthand at the Corner Café, however, that after a sale was made (a good deal, really), one of the two salesmen (this one wearing an innocent-looking little Santa cap) came back inside the business a few minutes later (appearing to be quite upset) and claimed the other sales person did not have the authority to make the sale at those prices (she was going to get fired for that!). He wanted the coloring books back and would return the customer’s money.
Nobody is sure how this elaborate little escapade worked to the sales people’s advantage. One business owner suspected they’d give back funny money, but that is just a guess because the buyer at the cafe refused to give the money back … (a deal’s a deal, after all). This scenario was repeated all over town (with the salesmen switching roles) until somebody called the police.
Gallatin Chief of Police Mark Richards said he received a call in reference to uninvited solicitors at the Southside Tavern. When Chief Richards arrived he contacted the three individuals that were selling coloring books and toys. The business they represented is one that Chief Richards had dealt with before so it is a valid company.
Chief Richards said he was not called to Southside regarding the soliciting, but because of a disturbance at the tavern in which the sales people were arguing with a patron.
“They just wanted the solicitors to move on down the road,” he said.
He added that as far as the solicitation, he was not contacted by any witnesses who were harmed by it and cannot say whether it was a scam or not. He said these solicitors did wait around for police to arrive as though they did not themselves think they were doing anything wrong.
Chief Richards said that this is the reason companies are required to have business licenses. Any sales person needs to have a city permit to sell their items in town, including the “one day” people. This particular group of solicitors did not have a permit.
“The only exception to this would be groups like the Boy Scouts,” he said.

Chief Richards wants to remind people to be aware and wary when purchasing from solicitors. Not all of them are 100% honest.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” he said.
The driver among the out-of-town solicitors was suspended and did not have valid insurance for the vehicle he was in. Chief Richards did not however see him driving the vehicle but he was informed that he could not drive away due to his license not being valid and no insurance. He opted to have his vehicle taken to Ray’s Towing until he could get insurance and a licensed driver for his vehicle.
There were no summons issued, due to Chief Richards not seeing the owner driving the vehicle.
Last seen, these “one day” sales people were sitting at the Corner Café waiting for a ride. Chief Richards said that as of today (Wednesday), the subject has not provided insurance and the vehicle is still at Ray’s Tow.