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Minors Selling Door-to-Door
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News Release: For Immediate Release

The Better Business Bureau Serving:
Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda, Montgomery, & Wharton Counties. (Texas)
Better Business Bureau Tips:
Editorial Ideas From Your Better Business Bureau
Contacts:
Deana Turner:
Office: 713-341-6131, e-mail: dturner@bbbhou.org

www.bbbhou.org * bbbinfo@bbbhou.org * Council of BBBs: www.bbb.org *
24-Hour Information: 713-868-9500, 877-468-9222 (from area code 409 only)

Minors Selling Door-to-Door

Each year thousands of children as young as 11 and 12 years old are recruited to sell candy, cookies, magazines, and other products door-to-door. Oftentimes these minors claim that the proceeds from the sale will go to a school program or community youth organization. Is that really the case?

The Better Business Bureau warns consumers that not all of those door-to-door junior sales people are selling on behalf of their school or youth group. Many are selling on behalf of for-profit businesses, which employee minors and young teenagers to promote their product. Employing such young children may violate child labor laws. In some cases, minors work excessively long hours for very little pay, are taken hundreds of miles away from their homes, and conduct sales with minimal adult supervision.

To help detect violations in door-to-door sales, the BBB advises that you pay close attention to the sales pitch. The child should be able to tell you what the money will be used for and what organization, youth group, or school he/she is selling for. Ask the child if you can see his/her work permit. Find out the child's age and where he lives.

What should you do if your child wants to sell door-to-door? First, you should check out the background and working conditions of the employer prior to allowing your child to go to work. Don't hesitate to ask the following questions of the employer:

• Will the child be dropped off in an out-of-town neighborhood?

• Will the child have access to a telephone?

• Is the employer insured in the event the child is injured?

• If vehicles are used, who is transporting the children and what is that person's driving record?

• How can you contact the child while he/she is working?

• How many hours a day will the child be working?

• Who will supervise the child while he/she is out in the field?

• How will the child be paid - check or cash? (Children are entitled to contributions to their social security benefits.)

If you don't get satisfactory answers to these questions, don't let your child work for the company. Contact your local BBB at 713-868-9500, 1-800-275-3626 (from area code 409), or online at www.bbbhou.org to check out a company.

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