There’s an old story about legendary bank robber Willie Sutton. A reporter asked him why he robbed banks and he answered, “Because that’s where the money is.” Keep this story in mind as you wonder why illegal street vendors offering free government cell phones have become a problem in Oklahoma.
According to the Sapulpa Daily Herald, 45 companies now offer Lifeline home landline service in Oklahoma. And our latest updated information indicates that at least four companies compete in the free government cell phone program in Oklahoma.
Why is Oklahoma such a magnet for this program? In a word, money.
In most states, companies participating in the cell phone program are paid $10 per month per phone by the Universal Service Administrative Company. But Oklahoma’s a completely different story. Companies doing business there can receive up to $35 per phone per month.
If Willie Sutton were alive today, he’d probably be working in the free government cell phone program in Oklahoma. And being a crook at heart, he’d probably be signing low income Oklahomans up for the program illegally from his car, like a lot of other people appear to be doing.
“It seems like they just kind of pop-up,” observed City Clerk Shirley Burzio. “They are required to get a permit (to sell on the street). Several have come in to pick up (vendor) applications, but none have been granted. One submitted but then withdrew.”
That’s why Sapulpa code enforcement officers are cracking down on the gypsy phone vendors.
“I have encountered four of them this year,” said Sapulpa Code Enforcement Officer Rick Anderson noted. “They were made to pack up and leave, because they did not have the proper permits.”
Getting a permit isn’t difficult, which makes the motives of the unlicensed street vendors even more suspect. An outdoor sellers permit that’s good for up to 90 days costs just $50 to $100 in Sapulpa. Of course, the applicant can’t do business until he’s passed a criminal background check and been approved by the police chief, code enforcer, city clerk or building inspector.
Unfortunately, legal problems caused by gypsy vendors tend to reinforce the negative opinions of those who would like to outlaw the free government cell phone program. For example, the program has also been attacked by Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) and Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Arkansas) wants to wipe out all federal subsidies for the program.
Go for it, Sapulpa. Clean up your streets and clean up the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program, too. Keep the program clean so that millions of Americans can continue benefitting from this outstanding program.
Source: Sapulpa Daily Herald
kelly denson says
I happen to be an authorized field agent for Assist Wireless, my coommisions are based on new phone orders only. My day however, consists of continuous customer service that is unpaid. *just to put the pay scale into perspective, how many customers would you serve free of charge? In addition, I am licensed in the state of Oklahoma and many cities throughout. I never vend without the proper documentation and permissions. I pay the property owner a surmountable fee for the use of a ten by ten space on their property. Lifeline services are not “government” funded, they are privately funded by the general public, we are however federally mandated, which means we fall under very strict guidelines and are audited regularly by the same. All I ask people is that you do your research before you judge us all. From company to company we are only the same in reguards as we all offer lifeline, for some if us its more than that. I brave rain, snow, cold, heat, angry people, and all other manner of customer service issues with a smile and for free! You won’t find the same dedication from a major phone company any where. Basically, I’m asking that you think before you sign up and consider before you judge. When in doubt, ask your service agent for their credentials, if they have city, state, and property permits congratulations, if not walk away. “Gypsy” providers find easy prey in people who do not ask questions. The choice is yours, be a victim or ask questions.
Brian Forrer says
Here is the problem with our so called elected officials and this program. As stated above Rep Tim Griffin R. wants to wipe out all federal subsidies for this program. Go ahead Tim Griffin, there are NO federal subsidies for this program. This program is funded by the universal communications fund, which is NOT ontrolled by the gov’t.
Tony Rovere says
I have to say that I agree with you. As a government program, you expect some abuse of the system as the government doesn’t watch out for money in the same way that a company does.
However, there are decent, law-abiding people who need this service.
My mother is one of them, who is on Medicaid after a heart attack.
So I don’t have a problem with those who are legitimately seeking out the phone.
What I do have a problem with is the following…
1) Commissions being paid are way too high. This only leads to fraud.
2) If this is a government program then let then government handle it and keep private enterprise out of it. Hopefully that will lower some costs.
3) The gypsy vendors have to go…there are enough well-known nationwide carriers, such as Safelink Wireless, that can handle this without worrying about some guy selling them out of the back of his car.
Danny says
Do your homework people…it is the very Companies themselves; that HIRE us street agents to go out into the communities we live in and serve, to further grow business for them. Yes, a website can do much of the work; but every company looks for the most effective/cost efficient way to advertise their goods and services.
Some companies do provide the cell phones right on the spot at the time a customer is approved. Others protect their agents from getting robbed for their phones, as has been the case many times over through out the years of the programs existence; therefore, the majority of the Lifeline provider companies, elect to mail their customers the free phone.
No doubt, there are many agents nationwide, representing many of these companies in a manner that is not professional at all. But for those of us, who always seek to get approval before we are set up in an area to SERVE the community (which so few self righteous citizens actually do in many areas of the U.S.)….this is how you tell the professionals that truly care.
I have personally driven hours to a town to serve complete strangers, in neighborhoods that their own residents are too scared to go serve. Are any of the people I serve upset that I am there? HELL NO….they are thankful as hell that I’m risking my own personal safety, to come help them. Their city leaders aren’t doing it, their Pastors aren’t doing it…outsiders that want to offer a much needed service are the ones showing up to help others communities. So, until you are the one stepping up to help your own residents…go sit in a corner with duct tape over your mouth; sitting safely in your nice suburbanite home, pretending not to see the homeless family along the highway while on your way to enjoy a buffet somewhere. In other words…get out and help your people or shut up!