Verizon

[Morris]

Wanted to let you know of my recent experience with Verizon door-to-door sales reps:

Today, at around one o'clock in the afternoon, two Verizon sales representatives came to my door to (I'm assuming) solicit. (We are already and have been for some time Verizon subscribers.) As I was sitting on my living room couch, one of them knocked at my door, while the other one took a seat upon our porch railing. At first, I was just going to ignore them as I do not care to entertain solicitors at my home - especially those whom I am already a customer with, but I heard one of the two speaking outside my door. She had removed a sealed letter that I had taped to my door, addressed to someone else, opened it up and began reading it aloud to her co-worker. I couldn't believe my ears! I opened the front door and she tried to hide the now crumpled up letter behind her back, while acting overtly friendly to cover-up her wrong doing. I asked for the letter back, and they basically ran down my porch steps without looking back.

I feel that this is a complete and total violation of privacy. I was on the phone for the majority of the afternoon with Verizon trying to get to the bottom of this, to no avail. I am told that because the people who came to my door are vendors, they only represent Verizon, but don't really work directly for them, so they are unable to tell me who they are. I'm at a loss.

[admin]

Nov 15, 2008 17:05:57 GMT -5 Morris said:

Wanted to let you know of my recent experience with Verizon door-to-door sales reps:

Today, at around one o'clock in the afternoon, two Verizon sales representatives came to my door to (I'm assuming) solicit. (We are already and have been for some time Verizon subscribers.) As I was sitting on my living room couch, one of them knocked at my door, while the other one took a seat upon our porch railing. At first, I was just going to ignore them as I do not care to entertain solicitors at my home - especially those whom I am already a customer with, but I heard one of the two speaking outside my door. She had removed a sealed letter that I had taped to my door, addressed to someone else, opened it up and began reading it aloud to her co-worker. I couldn't believe my ears! I opened the front door and she tried to hide the now crumpled up letter behind her back, while acting overtly friendly to cover-up her wrong doing. I asked for the letter back, and they basically ran down my porch steps without looking back.

I feel that this is a complete and total violation of privacy. I was on the phone for the majority of the afternoon with Verizon trying to get to the bottom of this, to no avail. I am told that because the people who came to my door are vendors, they only represent Verizon, but don't really work directly for them, so they are unable to tell me who they are. I'm at a loss.

That is horrible. I hope you can get this resolved. I am sure the rest of us will be keeping a better eye out for them and other rude behaviors.

I wonder if they obtained a permit to go door knocking?

[Morris]

Thank you Lisa and Brian. I left a voicemail message for Mr. Szeliga in hope to share with him my recent experience. I'll be sure to follow up here with his response.

Brian, I was wondering the same thing myself. How can I find out if they had a permit to go door to door? Who in town would I need to speak with?

[admin]

Nov 16, 2008 10:54:11 GMT -5 Morris said:

Brian, I was wondering the same thing myself. How can I find out if they had a permit to go door to door? Who in town would I need to speak with?

Here is a link to another FV section for ordinances. There is a lot of reading and links to news paper articles.

freeholdvoice.proboards46.com/index.cgi?board=laws&action=display&thread=3203

Here is one section that I found interesting:

5.64.156 Display of Badge. Every person and/or member of any organization permitted hereunder to conduct canvassing or solicitations shall attach and display on the front outer layer of his or her clothing a badge to be supplied by the borough clerk. The badges shall be lettered and delivered by the borough clerk and shall be uniform in style and design. The following information shall be printed on the badge:

a. Name of the canvasser or solicitor.

b. Name and address of the organization on whose behalf the canvassing or solicitation is made.

c. A statement that the Borough of Freehold has permitted the canvassing or solicitation, but neither approves or disapproves of the organization and/or its activities.


Beyond the above, I would call borough hall. And any time a person knocks on your door, there is certainly nothing wrong with asking them if they received a borough permit to do so. If they do not, and especially on a weekend, I would call the cops.

If the person who is knocking does not have a permit, then that person is probably knocking on doors of people who are on the no knock list as well.

[Morris]

Thank you for the links and info, Brian. I will call the Borough Hall tomorrow. Will they also have information on how I can get on the "no knock" list?

[admin]

Yes, they will point you in the right direction on how to get on the list. According to the link I provided, when a solicitor receives a permit, he/she is also handed a list of who is on the No knock list.

Also, be beware if you do go on the list, there are some exemptions such as political parties.

let us know how it goes when you call borough hall to complain and how it goes for you in getting on the list. Putting a bit of follow though here will be an education for all of us.

[Morris]

Nov 16, 2008 11:14:52 GMT -5 Morris said:

Will they also have information on how I can get on the "no knock" list?

I just answered my own question by reading through the entire post in the link. Thank you!!

[Morris]

Nov 16, 2008 11:52:38 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

Morris, you may want to also email the guy as well as leaving him a message. What you wrote here would suffice, along with asserting that such people reflect quite poorly on his company, and he may want to do something to prevent such future embarrassment.

An email has been sent. I'll be sure to let you know what he says.

Thanks again!

[Morris]

Sorry for my delay in posting a follow up. Here's a quick review of what's transpired:

I have been in touch with John Szeliga, who is the Director of External Affairs for Verizon. It felt very slow going on my end, as he wasn't quick with much feedback. He both emailed and called me on the Monday after the incident happened. At that time, he told me he was going to look into the matter, which he did. At one point in time, he had emailed me a photo of someone who matched the description to see if I could "ID" her - but it wasn't her. Then at least a week went by and I had zero communication with him.

On Wednesday, December third, I left him a voicemail telling him that I was following up as I hadn't heard any word for some time. He returned my phone call telling me that they had narrowed the search down to two girls who matched the description and were in the area, though both claimed to have not been on my street, at my home. Then, a few hours later, without telling me how they discovered who the gal was, he called me to tell me that they know who the girl is and she's now on temporary suspension while the investigation is still pending. She is claiming that the letter was addressed to "all solicitors" (which it wasn't). I haven't heard back from him since. I don't think Verizon is as customer service oriented as I thought they were. I would have preferred to have had this issue resolved weeks ago.

[admin]

Dec 8, 2008 11:41:56 GMT -5 Morris said:

Sorry for my delay in posting a follow up. Here's a quick review of what's transpired:

I have been in touch with John Szeliga, who is the Director of External Affairs for Verizon. It felt very slow going on my end, as he wasn't quick with much feedback. He both emailed and called me on the Monday after the incident happened. At that time, he told me he was going to look into the matter, which he did. At one point in time, he had emailed me a photo of someone who matched the description to see if I could "ID" her - but it wasn't her. Then at least a week went by and I had zero communication with him.

On Wednesday, December third, I left him a voicemail telling him that I was following up as I hadn't heard any word for some time. He returned my phone call telling me that they had narrowed the search down to two girls who matched the description and were in the area, though both claimed to have not been on my street, at my home. Then, a few hours later, without telling me how they discovered who the gal was, he called me to tell me that they know who the girl is and she's now on temporary suspension while the investigation is still pending. She is claiming that the letter was addressed to "all solicitors" (which it wasn't). I haven't heard back from him since. I don't think Verizon is as customer service oriented as I thought they were. I would have preferred to have had this issue resolved weeks ago.

No apologies needed for any delay. It is good to hear back from you.

It does appear that the company was going at a snails pace. After reading the above from you, I am going to hazard a guess and bet that you will not hear very much in the way of details. Unless there is some sort of civil or criminal complaint signed, I bet the company cannot go into too many details about an employee due to privacy protection of that employee. I am sure there is some sort of investigation and subsequent actions will be taken by Verizon. After all, it is in their best interest to weed out any bad eggs. Those people who knock on our doors are supposed to represent the company in a positive light. What that employee did does not fit in with the best interests of the company. Verizon would be foolish to not take your complaint seriously.

How did things go with borough hall? Did you get on the no knock list? Find out if Verizon had a solicitor permit?