Posted Wednesday, November 12, 2008 --- 8:10 a.m.

From the Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection:

Would you buy a $20 book for kids at UW Hospital?

That’s the pitch of an out-of-state door-to-door magazine crew canvassing Wisconsin neighborhoods, according to allegations in consumer complaints to police and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Middleton Police warned the crew for soliciting without a license. Complaints allege the crew may claim to be UW students or that they live down the street. A Madison resident said crew members used her name when knocking on neighborhood doors claiming she had purchased a book when she had not purchased a book.

Lisa Brunette, spokesperson for University Hospital says, "door to door solicitation is not something we are involved in. In short they have nothing to do with us.”

Consumer Protection advises consumers to call the police when questionable door-to-door sellers coming knocking. Consumers say this crew attempts to get into people’s homes and at least one member smelled like he had been drinking.

For more information about door-to-door sales crews, contact the toll free hotline at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: 1-800-422-7128.