The Sidney herald., 1960-02-17

Repair Sehe m
Many swindling schemes vie for
the title of "meanest" but those
which have probably earned it
are the ones which brighten elder
ly people into buying some ex-
pensive products or service they
neither need nor want through
false and fraudulent representa-
tons. Because many of our senior
citizens need protection from the
con men who prey upon them,
Mansel Woods, Secretary = Man
ager of the Sidney Chamber of
Commerce, has released a warn
ing about a typical scheme, which
has bilked oldsters in various
parts of the country. The text of
Mr.. Woods statement follows:
"In every community through
cut the nation, including Sidney,
there are well established and
well regarded firms which engage
in roof, gutter land chimney work.
Many such reliable firms like to
: display a sign on the front lawn
where they r working to let
-passers-by know who is doing the
job.
'Nor so another small group of
! unscrupulouS repairmen, who may
! be either i~tinerants, or who may
l. - 1ADD 4nOo Onr1r1lU 11nfIl
: complaints catch up with them.
: Their pride is not in their work,
but in gyping the public. The
J prime victims of such sWindlerS
are the elderly, particularly
widows.
Use Fear Technique
{ GAS in the case Of the furnace
! repair scheme, the sharp chimney
J and roof repair men scare the
( daylights out of their victims. Just
happening to he in the neighbor-
} hood, the swindler tells his pros
! pect that he noticed that the CHM
:. ney or roof is in dangerous con-
, dition. The chimney, he says, will
) topple over with the next gust of
y wind, and the roof is in danger of
being blown sheer off by the first
:. stiff wind that comes along. Apart
, from such economic disasters, they
8 tell the homeowner that she is in
= imminent danger of being
e asphyXiated.
"When this type OF operator
gets a job through such scare
g tactics, the homeowner is usually
l. victimized in two ways. First
w the swindler charges an exorbl-
IS tant price for whatever minor re-
le pairing is done. Second, the quail
N ity of the work done is usually 81
slipshod as to require further re-
err pairs by a reputable operator.
it Typical Complaints
~ Here are a few typical com
in plants reported to us by the Ma
tional Better Business Bureau
an with which we are affiliated
ed through membership, on thu
ar. scheme.
Recommendations
The chimney and roof repai
scheme is but one Of man
schemes used to mulct elderl
of people, because some of our Senlo
he citizens are easily pressured @
frightened into authorizing sup
ab. poSedly necessary malntenanc
m work. Relatives, attorneys, friend
en- and neighborS can be helpful l
ID protecting the elderly from victim
on ization, by reminding them Of tn
.ng following recommendations:
en- "1) Sign no contracts for ma
at ior purchases or repairs Withol
M consulting your attorney, or you
TT relatives, friends or neighbor
me Always have an experience
ave trusted one present when ar
is contract is signed.
"2) Deal with reliable busine
people. Avoid dealing with stra1
ca" gers. If you do not know who Il
Ids. reliable ones are, ask your q
torney or your relatives, frienI
or neighbors. Ask the Chamber
Commerce for a report on anyo1
with whom you contemplate doh
business.
"3) Never let anyone rush "
INTO giving an OIOer Vi signing
contract. Take your time to co
suit others.
az Avoid any salesman w.
attempts to brighten you III
giving an order. Reputable blu!
ness does not seek orders
soaring people. Consult oths
about any such attempts to ALA
you.
"5) When you are in need
major repairs, get estimates frt
several firms known to you, yC
attorney, relatives OF friends,
reliable. Reputable firms are {
tirely willing to give estimates
advance of what a job will cost.
j Buying goods on credit is MI
- easier than paying for the goods