Wisconsin's state consumer protection agency is warning residents about door to door sales rip-offs.
"While some door-to-door meat companies provide a valuable service, others may mislead and sell food at two or three times the price found in local stores," wrote Glen Loyd, spokesman for the Dept. of Ag., Trade, and Consumer Protection in a email to reporters.
Loyd cited a specific example where an elderly woman paid $1,300 -- when she thought her check was only for $14.
Salesmen may also use untrue statements to say why their food products are available at such a significant discount or level of quality.
"The meat is inspected at the packing plant for wholesomeness by the USDA and may be used by some restaurants, but this is no assurance of quality," wrote Loyd. "Meat can be wholesome but at the same time be of low quality."
DATCP has some advice for anyone thinking about buying food from door-to-door salesmen:
Always ask for price per pound and compare with food advertised in the paper.
Never buy without getting a receipt with the company's name and address and two copies of your three-day right to cancel.
Ask about the USDA grade of meat. If it is ungraded, you have no way of determining quality.
Ask to see the seller's license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
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