| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Dan Sullivan |
| December 13, 2004 | (406) 444-5400 TTY (406) 444-4687 |
What to Do When Unwanted Pesticides Arrive
HELENA, Mont. -- What do office copier supplies and pesticides have in common? Both are peddled by telemarketers and sometimes are shipped by unscrupulous companies even after a potential buyer says no to a sales pitch.
Each year, the Montana Department of Agriculture learns of telemarketing scams involving pesticides that are unregistered, over-priced or poorly suited to Montana. Unexpected solicitations for any product should cause consumers to be wary, says department Director Ralph Peck.
When a product is offered at unbelievably low prices or a seller claims it works better than a well-known product, how can a person verify these claims? Often, products being pitched are ineffective for, or not labeled for, the purposes being claimed. Some are lawn or garden use products advertised as agricultural-use chemicals.
If products arrive even after a sales pitch is rejected, the best course of action is to refuse the parcel without opening it, says Cort Jensen, attorney specialist with the Consumer Protection Office of the Montana Department of Administration. If a product or parcel is left at a residence or business, consumers should contact the sender and indicate that the shipment may be picked up or will be sent back if the sender furnishes instructions and a method to pay the necessary freight.
Unscrupulous vendors occasionally threaten to ruin a consumers credit by turning disputes over to collection agencies. Although the threat is easy to make on the telephone, Leonard Berry, pesticide program manager at the Montana Department of Agriculture, says he is unaware of any case in which collections were pursued by telemarketers engaged in questionable practices.
When a consumer is tempted by a seemingly attractive
offer, it pays to ask a few questions, and verify
the answers, before agreeing to purchase farm chemicals
offered by telephone solicitors or on the Internet.
The Montana Department of Agriculture recommends
asking these questions before agreeing to purchase
anything:
The best advice, Peck says, is to buy pesticides only from a licensed, reputable Montana pesticide dealer who can offer advice, printed EPA-approved labels and service after the sale.
Producers who want more information about pesticide and applicator licensing in Montana, or who would like to report a questionable sales call, are urged to contact the Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 444-3144 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.
