Summer is near! The sun may not be the only thing that makes a greater appearance this time of year: so does the number of door-to-door salespeople at your stoop. Do you know your rights when it comes to these types of contracts?
Consumer Protection BC is responsible for regulating door-to-door sales contracts (technically called direct sales contracts). Here’s an overview of your rights as a consumer around these contracts:
Right #1: You have the right to change your mind.
You have a 10-day grace period in which you can cancel a door-to-door sales contract for any reason. Visit this page to get information about cancelling your contract.
Right #2: You have the right to not pay an excessive down payment.
According to the law, a down payment (if you’re required to make one) should never be more than $100.
Right #3: You have the right to receive accurate information.
A direct sales contract is not binding if the business doesn’t give you a copy of the contract at the time it’s entered into. By law, the contract must contain specific information.
There’s a lot more to know about door-to-door sales contracts. Visit our Consumer Help page to read more.
ADDITIONAL READING:
Salesperson at your door? Know your rights!
What would you do? A guide to being a savvy consumer: home-repair
Does that deposit rule apply to things like cellphones and other contracts as well? Or just door to door sales?
This deposit rule is specific to door-to-door sales contracts, but consumers do have a range of cell phone contract rights under Canada’s new Wireless Code. Here’s a link to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s website and the Wireless Code fpr more information: [url]http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t13.htm[/url]