Salesperson at your door? 6 good signs to watch for

Hear a knock at your door? Sometimes it’s hard to tell if the salesperson outside is legitimate. Here are some indicators that the salesperson at your door is following good business practices in BC.

Door-to-door sales in BC

In BC, there are rules when it comes to legitimate door-to-door sales, which means that you have rights. Before you say yes to these types of contracts, there are some important signs and signals you should look for.

Remember, you don’t have to make a quick decision – take your time and do what feels right to you.

Salesperson at your door? 6 good signs to watch for

Here are some signs you may be dealing with a legitimate door-to-door sales company.

Good signs:

1. The company has an active online presence. They’re easy to find after a quick search and they may be on different social media sites where they post professional content regularly.
2. They appear professional. This can be identified in a couple different ways:
   1. 1. The salesperson is wearing a company uniform and has a nametag or other brand identifier
      2. The spelling and grammar on written documents are perfect
      3. The details of services and payment options are communicated clearly and easy to locate
3. They accept multiple forms of payments. It might be a red flag if a business only accepts cash. Accepting other payment methods is a good sign.
4. They don’t pressure you to decide quickly. Legitimate companies will give you time to consider your options and contact them if you’re interested.

Required by BC law

5. They give you a clear and detailed contract to review and sign. Door-to-door sales companies are required to have specific information in their contracts by law. Learn what information must be included.
6. They don’t ask for an illegal deposit. Door-to-door salespeople in BC can ask for up to $100 for a deposit (or 10% of the total price in the contract, whichever is smaller).

Your cancellation rights

As a BC consumer, you are entitled to certain cancellation rights with door-to-door sales contracts by law. For example, you can cancel your contract within the first 10 days for any reason. Learn more about your cancellation rights with door-to-door sales contracts.

Where do we fit in?

Our organization is responsible for overseeing certain aspects of these contracts, like contract requirements and your cancellation rights. Learn more about when we can step in and help.

Did you like this? You might like these posts too!

What needs to be in the contract
How to say no
What questions to ask
Know your cancellation rights
Learn what scams to watch out for
Hear a real story
Learn how to spot the bad operators

About Consumer Protection BC

We are not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will try to offer a referral to a relevant organization, if one exists. Other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.