NEED ADVICE!!!! Legit or Scam artists? (sales, house, neighborhood)

dubyatwozero1 · 02-21-2011, 11:12 AM

Hi everyone,

I live in an older home on the eastside...I just have a question as to what you all think or if any of you know what to do in what I just experienced.

Not too long ago a couple of "curb painters" came by my house and said that they're from the Nevada safety whatever they came from, I didn't quite catch it but, they looked fishy to me. They had safety vests and looked legit.

They said that they were to paint the address number on the curb so that in case of emergency, at night they would be able to see the number on the curb.

They said that they came by every year to paint the number and they've been doing it for 15 years. And they were trying to charge me $25 for it.

I let them know that the county was just in the neighborhood a month ago and that they repainted the number so, it was still fresh. They seemed to be very upset with that. Then they went on and said oh they're not allowed to do that, if we catch them then we could fine them a $1000 for it and they did it wrong.

So, they had no choice but, to leave. My bad was that I didn't ask for their credentials.

Can anyone help me with this? I know that they'll be back, are they legit?do I have to pay this FEE?

tazz · 02-21-2011, 11:58 AM

I vote scam.

$25 to paint a couple of number every year? No way. If they come back tell them to go ahead and bill you later. You may find that, like all grifters, they are a cash only business.

vegas2005 · 02-21-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubyatwozero1

Hi everyone,

I live in an older home on the eastside...I just have a question as to what you all think or if any of you know what to do in what I just experienced.

Not too long ago a couple of "curb painters" came by my house and said that they're from the Nevada safety whatever they came from, I didn't quite catch it but, they looked fishy to me. They had safety vests and looked legit.

They said that they were to paint the address number on the curb so that in case of emergency, at night they would be able to see the number on the curb.

They said that they came by every year to paint the number and they've been doing it for 15 years. And they were trying to charge me $25 for it.

I let them know that the county was just in the neighborhood a month ago and that they repainted the number so, it was still fresh. They seemed to be very upset with that. Then they went on and said oh they're not allowed to do that, if we catch them then we could fine them a $1000 for it and they did it wrong.

So, they had no choice but, to leave. My bad was that I didn't ask for their credentials.

Can anyone help me with this? I know that they'll be back, are they legit?do I have to pay this FEE?

Scam, 100 percent.

In Vegas, if there is a .1 percent chance that it is a scam, then it is a scam.

the people here lack....oh what do you call it?.....character?

Atlas1337 · 02-21-2011, 12:26 PM

Its somewhat of a scam...

Back in NJ students did this to earn some extra bucks. But they never pretended to be from the government -- they just offered it as a service to help pay for their tuition/college books. Some people declined, others accepted.

wanttoretire · 02-21-2011, 12:31 PM

These people come around my area as well every year and NO, you do not have to let them do it. Just say No Thank You and ignore everything else. I have not allowed them to do mine yet and I have lived in that house 20 years.

swagger · 02-21-2011, 12:37 PM

Not really a scam, IMO, unless they told you that it was required. They're offering a service, and you can choose to take them up on their offer or not.

The only thing worth watching out for is whether or not they're proclaiming to work for the city/county/state government. Keep in mind that they can name their business something like "Nevada Safety Compliance" or whatever and not be claiming to work for the state. Don't make any assumptions and you'll get the full scoop.

Bottom line - if it's worth $25 to you to have the number painted on your curb in reflective paint, let them do the job. If not, don't. Either way, don't sweat it.

dubyatwozero1 · 02-21-2011, 02:23 PM

thank you all las vegans for your help with this.

Trash Can · 02-21-2011, 06:02 PM

Same thing happened to me in SoCal. Some group claiming they were performing an annual service for the city. They would paint the number on the curb and then tell me afterwards that I owed them some money. I told them that they should've checked with me before performing their service and refused to pay them based on that alone. They got a little testy, but finally walked away and I never heard from them again.

Buzz123 · 02-21-2011, 08:56 PM

Not really a scam, but they're going about in a way that makes it look scam-like. The legitimate ones usually represent a legitimate organization for which they have identification, and the first visit is to see if you're interested. If you are they come back the next day or so to paint and collect the money. $25 is pretty high though. Best thing you can do is never open your door to strangers and NEVER engage in conversation...PERIOD! SAY NOTHING! If a scammer can get you to talk, even if you are refusing their "offer", they can scam you. Most people think they should politely refuse, or they think they are sales proof and can "handle" a scam artist. They can't.

unf0rgiven6262 · 02-21-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Not really a scam, but they're going about in a way that makes it look scam-like. The legitimate ones usually represent a legitimate organization for which they have identification, and the first visit is to see if you're interested. If you are they come back the next day or so to paint and collect the money. $25 is pretty high though. Best thing you can do is never open your door to strangers and NEVER engage in conversation...PERIOD! SAY NOTHING! If a scammer can get you to talk, even if you are refusing their "offer", they can scam you. Most people think they should politely refuse, or they think they are sales proof and can "handle" a scam artist. They can't.

That's when you let your friends smith and wesson do the talking for you. Either that or tell them you're with the Nevada Tire Cleaning Commission and you're required to keep all state vehicles looking clean and tidy. Tell them you'll wash their tires for $50 and the state will reimburse them later in their pay checks.