City of West Memphis issued the following announcement on Jan. 20.
“Arkansans should be cautious when purchasing food products from door-to-door salesmen,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “There are many individuals who try to resell old meat in order to turn a profit.”
Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe while considering meat purchases:
• Know your municipality’s laws on door-to-door selling. If your municipality requires a permit to sell products door-to-door, ask to see the salesperson’s license to sell.
• Look up business reviews with your local Better Business Bureau to read any complaints about the seller.
• Be informed. Ask for a brochure or other literature from the company and read it carefully. If you aren’t sure about the sourcing and distribution of the meat, reconsider making a purchase.
• Don’t buy anything out of a truck or car trunk that isn’t refrigerated. Unrefrigerated meat may be unsafe to consume.
• Check for USDA grading information on the product. Every package should have a USDA seal of inspection, along with a label identifying the cut, ingredients, and net weight.
• If you believe that the seller is attempting to pressure or intimidate you into making a purchase instead of allowing you to make an informed decision, think about what the seller is trying to hide and consider not making a purchase.
• Get a receipt. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Cooling-Off Rule gives purchasers three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made in your home. The salesperson must orally inform you of your cancellation rights, provide two copies of a cancellation form, and a copy of your contract or receipt. The contract or receipt must contain the date of the sale, the name and address of the seller, and an explanation of the buyer’s right to cancel.
• Always keep your receipt in case you need to cancel the purchase or contact the seller.
If you wish to file a complaint against a door-to-door seller with the Attorney General’s office, you can do so by calling (800) 482-8982, emailing consumer@arkansasag.gov, or visiting ArkansasAG.gov.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of West Memphis
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