Just say no to deep discount driveway pavers and barn painters
When the weather breaks in Michigan, traveling bands of scam artists make their way north and offer discounted driveway paving (or sealing), roofing and barn painting.Â
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. The old adage, “You can’t get something for nothing”, should steer you away from any unsolicited offers of service.
The unenlightened call these “gypsy” or “traveler” scams. I was personally enlightened several years ago in a weekly crime meeting that the term “gypsy” is no longer politically correct, so you won’t hear it out of me anymore. But for years, that’s what these highly organized families or “clans” of thieves and con artists were called.
These nomadic criminals are very well organized and many times prey on the elderly. They offer services like driveway paving or sealing at deep discounts because they will tell their victims they “just finished a job up the road and have some leftover materials” they want to use up. As luck would have it, the scam artists have just enough to cover the victim’s driveway.Â
When the crooks do the work, they use inferior materials, do a really quick lousy job and then use strong-arm techniques and demand more money out of the victim than originally agreed upon. The intimidated victim will pay and later realize the terrible job that's been done. By that time, the scam artists are long gone. Â
This same type of scam is done with roofing and barn painting. Barns painted by these traveling criminals are sometimes only partially completed and then more money is demanded for “more paint.” The homeowner doesn’t want a half-painted barn, so he or she will cough up the money and never see the crooks again.Â
The “paint” applied is usually diluted stain or paint that is sprayed on and is of inferior quality. This becomes apparent during the first spring shower after the application.
To protect yourself against these scam artists, don't even entertain the idea of getting work done by anyone who rings your doorbell and makes an unsolicited offer. You know your home better than anyone, so you should be suspicious of anyone coming off the street offering to do work on your home.Â
If they offer to do the work at a tremendous discount—YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED! Â
If you need home improvements, I suggest you check the phone book, the Internet or better yet, ask your friends if they can recommend a reliable contractor. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau. When it comes to goods and services, I am a firm believer in shopping locally and looking for a fair deal. Â
Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware and watch out for your neighbors.
Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
bunnyabbot
Mon, Apr 5, 2010 : 8:26 p.m.
reputable businesses pay for advertising, have a profolio of work, explain everything, write up a contract, only ask for 1/3 down payment and don't bill you for the rest until after the job is completed and they don't go door to door. The customer calls them out for a consultation.
JohnJameson83
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 : 8:52 p.m.
FYI there was a group outside of Pickney that was trying to sell us new window installation called "One Ear Elephant Construction". If I recall correctly the salesman name was Bob.
Mike
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 : 3:28 p.m.
Rich, You forgot to mention that these "travelers" frequently have accomplices who will go through the back door and rifle the home while the "salesman" keeps the mark occupied.
pegret
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 : 11:34 a.m.
There have also been some persistent "gutter repair guys" on the westside of Ann Arbor recently. An elderly friend of mine told be about a particularly persistent one who kept asking when her husband would be available. More likely trying to find out when a husband was NOT around!
C6
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 : 8:40 a.m.
I think the best advice I've received from a police officer lately came late on the night a couple summers ago when I was stopped two blocks from home by a police barricade set up because of an on-going investigation of an assault that had taken place earlier in the evening. After confirming I would be able to get home by circling around and coming in "the back way", I told the officer I was going to make a U-turn on Packard seeing as how there wasn't any oncoming traffic. His comment was "Don't light 'em up", which I thought was very sound advice considering that a new pair of rear tires cost more than $900 for a C6 Corvette.
Janelle Baranowski
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 : 8:26 a.m.
@amlive- I'm not sure if the authorities can do anything other than alert the community of their presence. However, Mr. Kinsey's sign-off says it best "...be aware and watch out for your neighbors." I can tell you that as a single young woman living alone, knowing that my neighbors are watching out for the neighborhood means a lot to me.
amlive
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 : 8:01 a.m.
If you are approached by these scam artists, is there any authority you should contact? I assume that even if you called the police and the cops got there while they were still roaming the neighborhood, they wouldn't likely have any grounds to arrest them there on the spot, would they? Should residents approached by them at least try to get vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers or anything to report to authorities, and if so, to whom? Thanks for the reminder, and I'm just wondering if there's any use in alerting anyone to try and stop these scam artists, or if this is outside the jurisdiction of criminal law enforcement and left only to civil claims after the scam has been perpetrated (at which point of course the party will be unlikely to be found).
jcj
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 : 7:04 a.m.
Very Good Advice! I hope people pay attention. And we "enlightened" ones need to make sure our elderly friends and family members are aware of these scams.