Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 227 posts · 31 votes
Any wholesalers have this happen to them? Just had two cops swing by my house because of a letter I sent out from my direct mail campaign. He was checking out our legitamacy and I was able to convince him that we were a real business.
But its kinda annoying that this was happened at all...
I've had the local BBB call and ask some questions, but nothing with law enforcement.
Did you ask them if they needed to sell? Never miss an opportunity :)
Mike
I guess I'm just looking at this a little differently than most folks that have posted, but I would only be troubled by the visit if the cops were aggressive, rude or accusatory. I'm not a conspiracy kind of thinker, and if they were friendly, non-threatening, just inquisitive, I'd actually welcome the visit since I hadn't done anything wrong. Their visit could've been initiated by one of the cop's grandmother who you've peppered with Yellow Letters and she is interested in hearing your offer but is naturally afraid of being swindled or harmed in some other way. She's bugged her grandson to look into it and he can now tell her he has. Your rapport with the cops could've gained you a sale and positive advertising money can't buy.
However, if rude, threatening, or accusatory, I'd let them know my assistant, Helen Waite, handled that part of the business. I'd tell them to go to Helen Waite or contact my attorney if they wished to discuss further with me.
The demeanor of the cops makes absolutely no difference. You do not know why they are there and not only do they not have to tell you, they are legally permitted to lie to you. However, if you lie to them, even inadvertently, you may be charged with a crime. Do not talk to cops without a lawyer present. Not ever.
I had the Sheriff call our number, apparently a few locals asked him to check up and see if anything shady was going on. He was very cordial, and when I explained I was actually buying houses (and not trying to scam people in any way) he said something like "some of the people out here just have too much time on their hands and will complain about anything".
I asked him if he know of anyone trying to sell a house. He chuckled and said no, and asked if it would be OK if he gave my number to his Sheriff buddy that is looking to buy something in the area at a good price, to get some advice.
He called again a few months later, not knowing it was me because we had switched phone numbers and mailing styles, and we got another chuckle out of it. I asked if people were also complaining about those damn Domino's pizza mailers they get, and he said no, the only complaints he got about mailers were about me.
Welcome to rural America, and people with way too much time on their hands. I'm the only mailer in my counties.