As the weather warms up, the Amarillo Police Department may see an increase in calls about door-to-door sales activity. In complaint about a door-to-door salesman yesterday, the officers contacted a solicitor that presented a permit that was issued to an employer rather than to him personally. Municipal Ordinance 14-6-57 requires that each solicitor register for his or her permit.
Each solicitor or individual salesman must make application at the Amarillo Police Department before engaging in the activity. A police officer or a resident contacted by a salesman can ask the solicitor to show his registration and government-issued identification used for the registration. Each individual peddler must be able to produce the 8 ½ X 11 registration, which is printed on blue heavy stock paper. If a solicitor tells a resident that he does not have the registration because his supervisor or the company holds the permit, he is not complying with the requirement. You can call the police department at 378-3038 to report the violation. There are exceptions to the law for children selling on behalf of local youth organizations with non-profit status.
Police officers have the authority to detain people seen going door-to-door to verify their activity and compliance with this ordinance. Peddlers, solicitors, or any form of salesmen not in compliance can be warned, issued a citation, or arrested and booked into jail for the violation.
Remember that a person’s registration in accordance with the law does not mean that the City of Amarillo guarantees or endorses any product or service sold, assure legitimacy of the individual or group represented, or reflect on the quality of goods or services being offered. Exercise good judgment and caution and make sure any company is one that you are comfortable doing business with before making a purchase.
