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Door-To-Door Magazine Sales Crews Working Wisconsin

'Do Not Let These People In Your House'

Posted: 4:10 pm CDT September 15,2003Updated: 4:34 pm CDT September 15,2003

News 3 has learned at least three separate door-to-door sales crews have been working the Madison area, and another crew was seriously hurt in a car crash all in the past month.

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Local and state authorities told News 3's Linda Eggert through homeowner complaints that they have had contact with over 10 individuals lately. None of them had a solicitation permit.

It's been 4.5 years since the world of traveling sales crews made headlines with a van crash near Janesville.

Seven young people were killed in that rollover, when a speeding, unlicensed driver tried to change seats.

Some say the incident hasn't put a dent in door-to-door sales, though.

Phil Ellenbecker's daughter, Malinda, died in the 1999 Janesville van crash. Since then, he's been documenting the dangers of door-to-door selling -- selling that hasn't stopped.

"She was seriously injured," Ellenbecker said. "She had a punctured lung, broken ribs and a broken ankle."

Just last Saturday, two young women from California were going door to door in the Platteville area when they got hurt.

Grant County authorities say the 18-year-old driver " ... lost control of her vehicle and went off the road, rolling several times. Both victims were thrown from the vehicle. No seatbelts were used."

Officials have also tracked three other traveling sales crews to Verona, McFarland and the town of Dunn.

Deputies say last month they found numerous young people selling magazines without permits.

"We contacted approximately 10 young adults that day and one of the young adults had three warrants -- failure to pay child support warrant and then two driving-related warrants," said Dane County Deputy Jeff Thiel said.

Ellenbecker warns citizens to be careful if the magazine sales crews come to their house.

A crew recently came to Ellenbecker's home, claiming to work for a Florida company that went out of business five years ago.

Ellenbecker has a Web site that documents the accidents and abuse endured by salespeople across the country and the crimes some of them commit against homeowners.

"Definitely, No. 1, do not let these people in your house," he said.

Ellenbecker has a Web site, documenting the accidents and abuse endured by salespeople across the country and the crimes some of them commit against homeowners.

"This is a very nasty business and a very dangerous business," Ellenbecker said. Ellenbecker claims one 21-year-old former salesman just got life in prison for raping and murdering a Tennessee homeowner.

You can find out more about the legislation regarding traveling magazine sales crews on Ellenbecker's Web site: www.travelingsalescrews.info.

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