{"id":1624,"date":"2008-05-23T03:16:00","date_gmt":"2008-05-23T03:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/job_hunting_teens_is_this_summer_job_right_for_you\/"},"modified":"2021-04-05T08:24:58","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T08:24:58","slug":"job_hunting_teens_is_this_summer_job_right_for_you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/job_hunting_teens_is_this_summer_job_right_for_you\/","title":{"rendered":"Job-hunting teens: Is this summer job right for you? – National Consumers League"},"content":{"rendered":"

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May 22, 2008<\/p>\n

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Contact: 202-835-3323,\u00a0media@nclnet.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Washington, D.C. \u2013 Responding to accounts of scams and crimes committed against consumers by traveling sales crews\u2014and risks faced by crew members themselves\u2014the National Consumers League and Direct Selling Education Foundation have teamed up to create educational materials to help consumers and teen workers distinguish reputable door-to-door sales and charitable sales from unethical companies. Opportunities with legitimate companies that follow a code of ethics, such as those provided by Direct Selling Association member companies, are a great way for many young workers to earn income. Unfortunately, as a sluggish economy strains the wallets of consumers, advocates caution teenagers in search of a summer job against accepting offers of employment by traveling sales crews.<\/p>\n

\u201cNCL\u2019s long history of fighting for the rights of workers and consumers finds us fittingly warning both workers and consumers about traveling sales crews. Consumers certainly don\u2019t want to buy products from exploited and often physically abused young workers, and those who do are unlikely to receive the very magazines they paid for from these disreputable outfits,\u201d said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director.<\/p>\n

In two separate recent incidents, a 25-year-old magazine salesman was charged with raping a teenager in Durham, SC, and a 28-year-old magazine salesman pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 14-year-old boy on his way home from school with intent to sexually abuse him in Vista, CA.<\/p>\n

Many dishonest companies capitalize on the positive reputations of established door-to-door sales companies and the generous response of consumers in supporting charities. Salespeople may seem charming and friendly, offering a compelling sales pitch, or requesting support for a program to help keep kids off drugs or to teach them about entrepreneurship. They may press residents to help them win a trip or prizes. These traveling sales crews quickly sweep in and out of neighborhoods. The companies recruit children, teenagers and young adults to sell products such as magazine subscriptions, cleaning supplies, and candy. They often falsely claim to support programs to help kids or raise money for charity, a religious institution, hospital, or local school.<\/p>\n

NCL advises consumers to check that the company or charity is legitimate before responding to its sales pitch. A legitimate, ethical salesperson will:<\/p>\n