The Davis Square Community

I love suspense, and you've all waited patiently, albeit with bated breath, for an update . . .

This all started a few days back. I was walking home from something I can't remember what in Davis Square when I suddenly noticed that there were posters stapled to nearly every tree (and pole) in my immediate neighborhood. Literally, virtually every tree had a poster stapled to it, if not two! It was insane.

They were all for a start-up (using that term very loosely as I work in the start-up arena and would never consider doing something so stupid as this) call Scoop 'N' Scoot Ice Cream that offers a speedy ice cream delivery service, apparently to any or all posters in the area. Well, as they offered an 'Order by Text/Call' service, I immediately sent them a text of what I thought of their redecoration of my beautiful neighborhood . . . and this is what transpired.


Me (Mon @ 2.28PM): It's quite illegal to staple signs to trees. Very bad move.

No big deal that I didn't hear anything back. I wasn't expecting it, but this is what then transpired a number of hours later.

2245679031 (Mon @ 5.59PM): Thanks.

2245679031 (Mon @ 6.01PM): Would you like some ice cream too?

Me (Mon @ 7.12PM): You've got to be fucking kidding me asking me to buy ice cream. You damaged trees, broke the law, and I'm not buying any fucking ice cream from you. Moron!!

Now, I'll admit my reply was aggressive, but you would think it would have gotten the point across, right ?

2245679031 (Mon @ 7.13PM): Any toppings with that?

I guess the whole idea of them getting the point was a bit ambitious in retrospect.

Me (Mon @ 7.16PM): Ok, now I'm forwarding your text to the Police.

2245679031 (Mon @ 7.19PM): I'm sorry scoop n scoot offended you. Hopefully we will provide better service and ardent service next time. Can I reference you to other ice cream providers?

Me (Mon @ 7.24PM): This has now gone into the realm of harassment. I'll be calling, too, to make that clear. Do not call me. Do not text me again.

I then immediately placed a call to the same number. It was picked up by a young gentleman who wouldn't answer my question of who it was that was handling their texting. I asked repeatedly, and he repeatedly replied that he would hang up if I didn't place an ice cream order. I made clear that I had texted to inform them of the illegality of their having stapled posters to trees to have then been met with what would constitute at least rudeness if not actual harassment. The call lasted in order of a minute.

I then called 311, again (I had called on Monday to share my observation that someone had stapled posters to trees in the neighborhood), and they forwarded me to the Police. The officer on the line was very professional and helpful.

I'm not one to dwell on things, but you perhaps can see why I would be a little ticked off. Here some little s--- is caught doing something illegal, and he then has the gall to take the polar-opposite approach to 'The Customer is Always Right' . . . and to keep doing so a number of times in succession.

That, and the posters are still up in the area of Foskett Street and Bay State Avenue.

To wit, the venture is, again, Scoop 'N' Scoot, and they're advertising their official launch as today (can't help but remember that from all the frigging posters all over the place). Their telephone/text number is 224-567-9031, and their website is scoopnscoot.com. As the URL was only bought a few days ago (May 13, 2012 to be exact), I feel entirely comfortable sharing the public WhoIs information for the domain, which lists the domain registrant as XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX. He is clearly affiliated with Tufts given the e-mail address on record ([email protected]). For the complete WhoIs, please refer to . . . http://www.networksolutions.com/whois-search/scoopnscoot.com.

[NOTE: It has been brought to my attention that LiveJournal's policy on posting identifiable information is rather all-inclusive so, I have redacted the actual name of the person registering the domain along with their e-mail address.  I'll note both are publicly-available information associated with the registration of scoopnscoot.com and, thereby, naturally forfeit of any rights of privacy typically afforded in such situations.  That said, I'm a LiveJournal newbie and will respect the concerns on privacy posted below even if I don't interpret FAQ#108 the same way.  That, and I don't believe in harassment . . and would not want to be associated with any behavior of that sort, even if indirectly.]

All this information, including pictures of numerous offenses, has been shared with Steven MacEachern, who was identified here (and did confirm by e-mail) that he is the appropriate person to bring matters like this to. His reply (slightly edited) . . .

"Yes I am the correct person for this. The posting of anything without a permit from the commissioner or myself could result in a fine. Can you send me a picture of the posting? Are they still up? if they are still up I will give them a time line to remove them or be fined for each one I take down. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

Not the kind of thing I wanted to spend any time on this week. But I also can't see allowing bad behavior to go unnoticed and, in the case of the LiveJournal community, unshared.