While many door-to-door salesmen are honest, every summer, Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina receives troubling complaints from consumers who purchased meat from door-to-door salespeople. BBB warns local consumers about companies going door-to-door locally, selling meat from coolers in trucks.
Consumers across North Carolina, including a few from Garner and Apex, contacted BBB recently because they were approached by door-to-door meat sales representative from Omega Meats I, Inc. This business is headquartered in Greensboro with other locations around N.C., including one in Apex. Omega Meats I, Inc. has earned an “F” rating with BBB.
Within the last 12 months, BBB serving Eastern North Carolina has received 4,233 inquiries about retail frozen food stories and distributors, and nearly 1,400 of those inquiries were about Omega Meats I, Inc. In the last 36 months, Omega Meats I, Inc. has received 26 complaints, 3 of those complaints filed against business were not resolved, and the business has failed to respond to one complaint. Many of the complaints against this business deal with the quality of meat and tardiness or lack of response in issuing refunds.
“Many people might be a little put off by the idea of buying steaks or seafood from the back of a truck, but the low price can often be tempting enough to override any fears about safety or quality,” said Beverly Baskin, President and CEO of BBB serving Eastern North Carolina. “It’s not uncommon for a customer to spend hundreds of dollars on inferior meat and it is extremely important that you do your research before you buy to protect your financial and personal health.”
Other common complaints to BBB against door-to-door meat sellers include claims that the customer received less meat than they paid for, that the salesman did not have appropriate permits to sell food door to door and that the salesman failed to stand by the promised satisfaction guarantee.
When considering buying meat from a door-to-door salesman, BBB recommends consumers:
•Do the research. Ask the sales representative for written material about the company and let them know you are going to research them before making a purchase. Check the company’s Reliability Report with your BBB. Many communities have licensing and permit requirements for selling door-to-door; confirm with your city or county government that the seller is in line with the law.
•Don’t fall for empty promises. The seller might claim to offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, but many complainants had no way to contact the seller if they were dissatisfied. Request the guarantee in writing, and know how to follow up with the company to have the guarantee fulfilled.
•Never pay with cash. When paying by check or credit card you have at least some way to protect your money—such as canceling the check or reporting it as fraud to your credit card company.
•Know your rights. If you decide to make a purchase, ask for a dated cancellation form and a dated receipt. In North Carolina, you have three days to cancel certain purchases such as door-to-door sales even after you sign a contract and pay. To cancel your order, you should notify the company in writing by midnight on the third business day following the purchase. Saturday is considered a business day.
•Report the bad guys. If you feel that you were ripped off by a door-to-door salesperson, file a complaint with BBB. If you feel threatened, immediately call your local police department.
Consumers with questions about purchasing meat can contact the USDA'S Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854.
For more advice to help you make smart purchasing decisions, visit http://easternnc.bbb.org/consumer-tips-product-purchasing/.
Source: Better Business Bureau