Vacuum Cleaner Salesmen

I've been hoodwinked.  I usually don't let people in the house unless I really know them.  What possessed me to let vacuum cleaner salesmen in?

I answered the door and a fellow who looked like he could be a friend's son appeared.  He handed me an air purifer that he explained was wonderful and that they were handing it out to all the neighbors to try.

He said his company, Aqua Systems just wanted to get the word out about their company.

Sounded OK.  He looked trustworthy.  He said he just wanted my opinion about that air purifier.  He said he just wanted to spread the word about their company that they wanted to start in the neighborhood.  He said he was just collecting opinions and the more opinions he got, they could win a trip to Reno.

Sounded OK.  Like I said, he looked like he could be a friend's son. I always help my friends' children when I can.

Then he said he needed to come back to show me what it was about and that it would be brief.  I told him I could only give him a half hour max because I had friends coming over.

He said OK.

That's when his partner showed up with a Rainbow air purifier which was ALSO a vacuum cleaner.  I told him I already had two vacuum cleaners.

He demonstrated how great the vacuum cleaner was.  And it was very good.  It certainly picked up a LOT of dust in what I thought was an already immaculate house.  My mother is very fastidious.  BUT the price tag was $4,000.00.  I told him, "No way."

He insisted on cleaning all of our little area carpet showing us the dust it was picking up.  He insisted on cleaning the sofa too.

It was now well past that half hour mark and my friends arrived to go with me to the Farmers Market.  I told the vacuum salesmen they needed to leave because I could not leave them with my mother and it was past their allotted time.

Well... it took them quite a while to get their things together to leave while my friends waited outside.

The kicker.  The little gift of the air purifier that fellow gave me before, to have me listen to them ... he took it with him as he was leaving!  

The double kicker.  When I was gone, my mother went out to get the mail.  They were still there outside of our house and told her they were thirsty.  She went back in the house to get them canned drinks!

Mom says they cleaned her carpet so it's OK to give them some drinks.

When she told me this, I was alarmed.  I called my brother who works for the Honolulu Police Department and he said that if they allowed me to take so many photos of them, it should be safe.  I have photos of their faces also, but I didn't think it would be fair to post them because they're probably just doing their job.

I've learned my lesson now.  I'm never letting another salesperson or stranger into the house again.  I hope I don't get a call from my son and daughter scolding me if they read this post.

One of my friends who was waiting for me got a good look at both of the fellows and she says she can see why I allowed them in because that first fellow I talked to looked so innocent. However, she gently warned me to be more careful next time.

But you know what?  It was a rather remarkable vacuum cleaner.  Except that I thought they were trying to sell an air purifier.  I'm sure they were perfectly legitimate, hardworking fellows working in a tough economy. However, I feel like I've let my guard down and opened myself to something that wasn't wise.

I was a teacher, and I can also learn.

POSTSCRIPT:  I just checked online and have seen some terrible horror stories about Rainbow vacuum cleaner salespeople.  They appear to prey on seniors.  It also states the vacuum cleaners run from $1,000 to $2,000, not $4,000.  On the other hand, some people have liked their machines.  But, more importantly, a lot more people have been really badly scammed!  Beware!