anyone approached near Jefferson Elementary by a person aggressively offering to do exterminating?

My wife and neighbor were approached while talking today. The person seemed a bit overly aggressive in his attempts at getting us to use his extermination services, and seemed to want to clearly establish whether we'd be home this weekend (which in retrospect seems even more suspicious). When he left he just went to the next neighbor over's home to try the same technique. Has anyone encountered this? We're presuming these sorts of solicitations aren't legal?

- Alex

25 years in Pest Control I never knew anyone who solicited business that way.  Bad business practice or something shady

Call the cops next time and let them know. He could be casing the neighborhood for a future burglary - or be a scam artist. 

author is right, a bad business practice or shady.  When anyone approaches you with any kind of solicitation, asking them if they have a permit from the town to solicit will generally result in them quickly terminating their pitch and leaving.  In my experience they also quickly leave the immediate area.  Picking up your cell has the same effect.  If you call the police there is a prompt response by a patrol car.

Good advice - I also recommend having the Maplewood police non-emergency number handy

(973) 762-3400

Yup. On Roosevelt. Thursday. Rang my bell and told me he was doing two other houses on the street and if I agreed, he could do my house too right now for 1/3 the cost. I told him no and that our landscaper already treated for bugs/ticks/ants (not true). He launched into a spiel about spraying the whole foundation and landscapers only do yard, blah, blah, blah. 

Royal blue polo shirt, twenties, super-white teeth.  "Insight" exterminators?

ms_cooper said:

Yup. On Roosevelt. Thursday. Rang my bell and told me he was doing two other houses on the street and if I agreed, he could do my house too right now for 1/3 the cost. I told him no and that our landscaper already treated for bugs/ticks/ants (not true). He launched into a spiel about spraying the whole foundation and landscapers only do yard, blah, blah, blah. 

Royal blue polo shirt, twenties, super-white teeth.  "Insight" exterminators?

Insight Pest Solutions.......a national franchise.  Nearest office seems to be in New Brunswick.  I will assume they have the proper State Certification and insurance.  It does not speak well of them that they "cold call"     to get work.  Stick with Jerry Buckingham........old school and good