Magazine sellers not from UW-W
WHITEWATER — College-aged people who say they are selling magazine subscriptions as a fundraiser for UW-Whitewater are not connected to the university, officials said.
Barb Penington, chairwoman of the UW-Whitewater Communication Department, said she received two reports in the last two weeks from people who were asked to buy magazines to support the department.
The first report came about two weeks ago from a Janesville man, a UW-Whitewater alumnus, who said two people who appeared to be college students came to his door and told him they were selling magazines for the Communication Department at UW-Whitewater.
Penington sent an e-mail to faculty and staff in the department asking if they or any student organizations they advise were conducting such a fundraiser. They replied that they were not.
The second report came last week from a woman in Hartland who said almost the same thing. She also said that the sellers would accept only cash.
Penington said the Communication Department has never done a magazine subscription fundraiser. Sara Kuhl, director of marketing and media relations at UW-Whitewater, said the university does not typically conduct such a fundraiser.
University officials are alerting people in area communities about the incidents because it appears the supposed fundraiser is a scam. They urged residents who are approached to contact their local police.
related STORIES
Apr 23, 2010 at 1:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
I had a friend from Oklahoma tell me someone was doing this in the community around the OU campus. It stinks of scam from top to bottom.
Apr 23, 2010 at 12:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
These people stand outside of Beloit Check Cashing Store all the time. I actually have bought some nice stuff from them. Big coloring books, puzzles, etc. They don't accept credit either. It is good to look into this though and see if they have a license to sell in Wisconsin. JMO
Apr 23, 2010 at 9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Don't get too mad at the girls, they were just imitating the adults that daily bilk people out of millions of dollars under the guise of charity or God.
Apr 22, 2010 at 9:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
On a similar note....a couple of weeks ago three 12-13 year old girls came to my house in Janesville claiming to be "raising money for Mercy Hospital". They were carrying a basket with odd stuff they had clearly taken from their home (markers, office supplies), and just plain asked for cash. When I asked them if they were collecting for a specific area of Mercy, they didn't really know what to say...just shook their heads and said no. They had no paperwork or anything at all showing who they were. I was amazed at how rude they were...just plain liars. And so young!
Apr 22, 2010 at 8:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
I can see how you might twist your story around to sell more magazines too, what a load of crap doortodoorpro. You guys have been to my door as well, claiming you were local, selling for whatever fund raiser, but couldn't even tell me what street you lived on when asked. You lie to sell, it's disgusting. Get a real job.
Apr 22, 2010 at 5:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
doortodoorpro, there may be such a guy, but this sounds like one of the magazine sales crews, similar to the one that crashed their van near Janesville several years ago. They're kids under a lot of sales pressure and sometimes have to sell to be able to eat. I'm not surprised they'd try any plausible story. They may even have heard about the other guy from a customer/prospect who mistook them for being affiliated.
Apr 22, 2010 at 4:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
Doortodoor--Why do you (does he) only accept cash? Doesn't pass the smell test.
Apr 22, 2010 at 4:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
This is a legitimate company. The gentleman goes door to door making commission on his sales. I know the guy personally. He never states he is doing a fundraiser for the college itself He tells people he goes door to door to better his public speaking skills because he would like to earn money for college and pursue his dreams of becoming a communication major at UW-Whitewater. I could see how a few people could twist his story around.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.