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Urban Development Solutions sponsors young black people to go door to door to sell magazines in predominantly white middle class neighborhoods in order to "help inner city kids". They misrepresent themselves as a "leg up" sort of organization, and sell magazines for "Midwest Clearing INC" at inflated rates. (See Midwest Clearing INC complaint). I confronted the woman who came to my door yesterday who scammed me, and she swore that she "didn't realize that this was a scam". I showed her the back of the receipt and told her that this organization does not help "inner city kids" or any other charitable cause. She insisted that she was recruited with other young black men and women to sell Magazines, and that they were told it was to help inner city kids and themselves. I told her that I would give the benefit of the doubt, but that now that she knows it is a scam, that if she continues to sell these magazines under this pretense, that she may not be prostituting herself, but is prostituting her soul for the sake of money. She seemed disturbed, and I hope that she was.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Hello, I would like to comment on a couple things you have said along with minor mistakes you have made.
1. Urban Development Solutions (UDS) is not biased and is a welcoming business to all races and cultures - not just African Americans.
2. UDS is not misrepresenting themselves as anything. They are very clear on what they are and aren't hiding anything. Now, if that lady told you otherwise, that was of her own doing and UDS had no influence on that decision of hers. But this business is honest about their work and if you'd like to clear some things up for yourself, you can even contact them and a representitive will speak with you to get this situation cleared up if it happens again.
Sidenote - Although this organization doesn't help "inner city kids" (whatever that means), it does provide a second or third chance for those, anywhere over 18, that have no place to turn or just need to get away and explore. This business tries to help out in that aspect and they do a very good job in doing so and reaching out to the future employees.
I have some serious reservations about the company that seems to have integrated charity and what amounts to indentured servitude into its for-profit business model, but I have zero complaints about the interaction I had with a UDS sales rep three evenings ago. He was a young, black guy with a sincere attitude although pretty nervous and not very well spoken. He did manage to get his point across that he was looking to improve his place in life and needed some help getting there. I was reluctant to subscribe and thought the prices were outrageous, but he helped me find an appropriate magazine and put a little of his own money on top of my own contribution to offset the absurd processing fees. I thought that was a straight up move. He was clear about where I could go online to check out the company and the status of my order. I just checked, and everything went through yesterday, and the order is in place. We'll see if the magazines appear in our mail, but I have a feeling they will. He mentioned that he'd been mistreated throughout our neighborhood with folks yelling at him and even throwing things as they told him to leave their property. The least we can do is respect the folks who are kind and courteous to us, right? I'll reserve judgment until the paper hits my mailbox, but I'm optimistic about things mostly because of Brian's sincerity and courtesy.
I agree with this and all the complaints I have read. I too live in a middle class neighborhood and was approached at my home by an African-American gentleman. He seemed so positive and just in need of a chance. I purchased $261 worth of magazines, two of which were for my children and this was over 12 weeks ago and they have never arrived. I am frustrated 1) this was a lot of money to lose and 2) I have a kind heart and I feel taken advantage of in the name of my children in my home. Please do not support Urban 1, Inc. It is a scam and now I will not purchase one item door to door ever again as this is the first and last time I will have my generosity taken advantage of.
I purchased magazines in march of 2011. I was reluctant, it was overpriced but the gentleman assured me I was helping people like him start over at 47. Promised the magazine would show up. I has not and it has been 6 months now. I got someone on the phone (miracle) after 4 months and they refused to give me a refund and said there was a glitch with the distributer of Rachelle Rays cooking magazine but it was being maile within a couple of days. Now I have emailed, left several voice mails, and emailed again requesting a email and then threatening. I can't even get a response. Don't waste your money. This company is a ripoff.
They have come to my home for the last 3 years. Different sales reps each time but same process. I recently placed the order and cancelled the same day and put a stop payment on my check after I have researched the company through the BBB. So no money lost this time around, but I have been taken advantage of in the past. The first time by two females and never receiving the magazines. Another one a male, which the magazines were supposedly donated to the Boys and Girls club and this time by a male who has a 3 year old son. All of the African American. This is a scam. The prices are outrageous and inflated. They don't show the pricing either. They only ask you pick out three magazines.
I am well aware of the situation with these door to door magazine sales people, but I am always so impressed with their desire to succeed that I usually always purchase something. Today a very nice young lady and young man came to my door and I agreed to purchase a few magazines, but when I started to make out the check they asked me to make it to Cash. I was immediately concerned and asked to speak to someone of authority. They gave me a number, but it was a voicemail. I proceeded to tell them that this was not a good business practice and that the company was being unethical asking them to require customers to make the checks to cash. I know that these kids are pressured to produce and I really felt bad for them. I am reporting this incident to the BBB and still trying to reach someone at Urban Development Solutions for some answers.
I was part of this sales group and yes I think it is a scam when I left they just
Left me at greyhound. With no way home nothing so don't buy anything
There are not any magazine the money help with hotel and travel fees
They have the BBB logo on their home page as of the date of this comment. http://www.urbands.com/ The BBB states this is not a BBB accredited company. Whether they are a scam or not, I do not know since I gave them no money after hearing the price, but the fact that they lie about their accreditation should be enough of a red flag to merit not giving to this organization. Also as an example, they wanted $5.00 an issue for a scrapbook/craft magazine which is $180.00 for 36 issues, whereas I can get a years worth of Rolling Stone for $30.00 without a promotion. I probably would have helped out the sales rep if the prices had been more realistic.
I also checked their status with BBB. They are now selling Christian storybooks for children. Any way that they can sell quickly and gain subscribers, they will do! I wouldn't trust buying or supporting any of this.
I think that those who are going door to door with Graceful Hands or Urban Development Solutions are helped only in the sense that they have travel arrangements made and some degree of help with housing. It's clear that they get training in their presentation, their manner of dress, and how to close a sale. I always ask for a way to donate online so I can check out the website and complaints or compliments posted by other people. If their stories are true and not coached (as I suspect they may be) then they may not be in a position to get a job at McDonalds or anywhere else due to backgrounds that include criminal activity. I'd rather give a handout to someone who is clearly in need than to give to the "employer" who is less than scrupulous.
I asked to see the stats of the charity they work for. There was a less than professional page that said that 37% of revenue went to housing, 17% for clothing and 3% for food (or something on that order). I went to the website for Graceful Hands and the stats boxes were empty. The individual at the door represented that Graceful Hands was a Church who was helping him. I think that was a misrepresentation.
I do give to a Church-based Charity with whom I have a long-standing relationship. This is the best way to insure that the money you give is going where you think it might do the most good.
Salesman stopped at my house on Saturday. Seemed friendly enough but reeked of alcohol. He asked for a towel - I said I didn't have any - this is a typical way for them to get in the door to continue a "friendly" conversation. Never let a door-to-door salesman in.
Ever since I got cheated on a door-to-door magazine sale, I don't buy anything sold door to door . "Sorry, I'm not interested right now" is always my response.
I was a little skeptical after hearing a story of a woman who works for this organization selling now Chistian bible storybooks for children. She claimed she makess 1500/weekly income in this business, and she travels throughout the US with several groups of 15-20 people who go door to door telling their story to gain subscribers. She was trying to recruit 2 men who were also skeptical and decided that her business was a scam. I wouldn't trust this business or any other type of door to door sales claiming to help others in need!
https://woodlandsco.nextdoor.com/news_feed/?post=48992170
On April 19, 2017, at approximately 2:00 p.m. a door-to-door salesman aggressively insisted that a 19-year-old resident let him into her home, in the (redacted) to use the bathroom. After the 19-year-old reluctantly complied, the salesman, Antron Fogler (DOB: 7/2/65), inappropriately touched her and masturbated in front of her.
Another victim reported that Fogler questioned her about her husband’s location before entering her home and also touching her.
Shortly after the reporting, deputies located Fogler in the area and took him into custody. Fogler is currently housed in the Douglas County Jail, facing charges of Indecent Exposure, Unlawful Sexual Conduct, and 2nd Degree Burglary.
Anyone who sells something door-to-door in unincorporated Douglas County is required by (redacted)
Sheriff Tony Spurlock would like to remind citizens to take precautions when dealing with door-to-door sales people, people providing estimates, or the like. Please do not allow them into your home and always confirm that the sales person obtained a (redacted), confirming their validity and allowing them to conduct their business in Douglas County.
If there are any additional victims that have not yet contacted us, please contact (redacted)
This is an open and active investigation, no additional information, including the booking photo, will be released at this time.
He did not have a registration card, he was not registered with Douglas County. He was working for a company in (Redacted) called Urban Development Solutions
Yes, this is a scam and yes, it tries to rip charitable people off. But beware! Some of the people going door to door really do need help; otherwise, they wouldn't be involved in such organizations.
The woman who stopped by our house about a half hour or so was clearly uneducated and her sales materials were well worn. Plus she was pregnant. A quick check on the Internet revealed this site, so we were spared the indignity of falling for it. But the woman was also clearly in need (or a good actress). We dismissed her, but with a personal financial contribution not to be shared with Urban Development. She did not appear to be upset, most probably since it was more than she would have pocketed from an average book contribution.
Recommendation: These people need money or they wouldn't be involved in a well known scam. Please remember that they enrich the coffers of the scammers and get very little to show for it, so please give them $20-$50 cash and let your soft-hearted but gullible neighbors pay for the magazines. (BTW, they go for the book or magazine pitch, not both. I never buy magazines from anyone because they're always scammers. I usually look at them and ask, "You don't have Guns & Ammo? How about Soldier of Fortune? Shooting Times? Shotgun News? Knife Magazine? Gee, you really don't have much of a selection, do you?")
Again, please slip these people a financial contribution, but make sure they know that you know it's a scam. They can get defensive so beware. They've been trained on how to react. But if these people are willing to go door to door in the heat of the day, give them some pocket money. Most of them really need it.
SG53
This company is definitely not a scam, what you have is mentally disturbed racist people who puts nasty things on there because its helping people who want to do better and be better they are able to take care of there families with no problems and get paid with no problems so this is a form of racism and the ones who are complaining the most are not the ones speaking out on the racism in America with no opportunities but in they eyes Trump is the best president, now think about that for a minute so stop lying on these people when they are only working to support there families they not carrying guns and killing people be smart and think instead of gossiping lies