Branson defining 'solicit' - Chad Hunter

Branson defining 'solicit' Monica Rhodes, co-owner of Pinkiedinks Cupcakes on Main Street downtown, talks about a run-in with a timeshare salesman Monday. BDN photo by Chad Hunter By Chad Hunter BDN Staff Writer chunter@bransondailynews.com In a move to keep salesmen off public sidewalks, Branson is revising its solicitation law. The change would make it illegal for timeshare employees to give away free show tickets outside their business to lure potential customers inside, a "perceived loophole" to the city's law, City Attorney Paul Link said. "All we're doing is creating a definition that will bring in a free-ticket scenario," Link said. "I think people were unaware of what the law was. Under the current code, if the person soliciting or the person solicited are on public property, it is unlawful." The city has crafted a bill defining the term "solicit" as "initiating contact with a member of the public by the offer of any goods or services, whether at full price, discounted or free, in exchange for any action on the part of that member of the general public." In a 5-0 vote Monday, aldermen passed the bill's first reading. A final reading is scheduled for July 14. One timeshare company owner says the word "free" could put her out of business. "If they change this, they might as well put a lock on our door," said Jackie Stephenson, owner of Branson Highlites on Main Street. Although Branson Highlites was not mentioned by name Monday, Stephenson said her company was "the one we're all talking about." "We stand in the doorway, we greet the people and we do have free tickets," Stephenson said. "They come in and get them. We do offer, 'Hey folks do you want to go on a tour?' They do say 'yes' or 'no.' Obviously, we have quite a few who say 'yes' or we wouldn't have been in business for five years in this town." The city reevaluated its law based on complaints that salesmen were chasing shoppers down sidewalks. "They believe it's hurting their business because of that," Branson Sgt. Sean Barnwell said. "They say they're having issues not only with (customers) getting agitated, they'll skip their store." Some downtown business owners say aggressive timeshare salesmen are bad for business. In the short time she's been in business downtown, Monica Rhodes, co-owner of Pinkiedinks Cupcakes, has seen potential customers flee from persistent salesmen, she said. "I had to tell one of them — a guy on the corner — to stop," Rhodes said. "People are trying to get away from them and they run right past our store. They aren't even looking at our stuff." Alderwomen Cris Bohinc and Sandra Williams said they've both been harassed by salesmen downtown. "I do not know what particular business is doing this," Williams said. "I do know they have approached me several times, that they have followed me down the street. So if I was downtown to do any business, I didn't do the business because I wanted away from them." Downtown Monday afternoon, Pat and Bob Eastwood of Cherry Hill, N.J., said all was quiet. "We've been all up and down the streets and haven't been approached," Pat Eastwood said. Stephenson said she's fired renegade salesmen in the past. "Dog gone right I have. We've let a few people go because they were too aggressive," she said. "They're not allowed to leave my property, ever." Stephenson said she realizes the timeshare industry is sometimes looked down upon but hopes she can keep doing business downtown. "I know a lot of people don't like my business, don't like timeshares, but it brings a lot of business to Branson," she said. -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com