Doorstep Selling
How to deal with Doorstep Sellers!
Some traders will do door-to-door sales and seem intent on giving reasons as to why you need to sign up with them straight away or why the works need to be done straight away.
- I've just seen some loose tiles on your roof.
- If you sign up today you will be entitled to this fantastic deal, if you leave it I can't guarantee the same offer will be available again.
- If you don't have the cash on you I could give you a lift to your bank/building society.
Before signing up to any deal put to you think about whether you really want it. Sometimes your agreement could lead to a large earning by the seller.
If you are unsure then check out the company, ask friends or family if they have heard of them. It is usually best to go by recommendation or word of mouth as people door to door selling don't need to have any expertise or qualifications.
If you think or feel that you do need to have the work done then get two or three quotes, this way you can compare prices to ensure that you are being charged a fair and reasonable price. If you are entering into an agreement make sure that you read and understand the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Deter from handing over large amounts of cash, pay as you go along so that if the work goes wrong then you will only have paid for the work carried out.
Once you have paid a company or person then it can sometimes be very difficult to get your money back if difficulties arise.
If you decide to go ahead and have the work done ensure that you get a written quote which includes business name, address and contact details. Without these details it may be difficult to pursue the company further.
Always remember Stop, Chain and Check:
- Stop - check your back door (if you have one) lock it and take the key with you.
- Chain - put your chain on the front door and it's a useful barrier because they may try and pressure you.
- Check - check their details before you let them into your house. Do not agree to any work being carried out or signing a contract until after you have talked to someone.
Reputable companies will not expect you to sign up immediately, they will give you time to think and wait until you are satisfied.
The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's home or place of work etc Regulations (2008) give you protection when you buy goods or services from a trader on the doorstep or in the home (or in someone else's home), at your place of work, or when you buy from a trader on an excursion they have arranged away from their business premises.
If you change your mind about a purchase above the value of £35, you have at least seven calendar days to cancel the contract (the 'cooling-off' period). It does not matter whether you invited a trader into your home or not - the Regulations cover both solicited (invited) and unsolicited (uninvited visits or 'cold calling').
A trader must advise you in writing that you can cancel the contract – this information must usually be set out in your contract and should be legible and have equal prominence to any other part of the agreement. If there is no written contract, you must still be given this information in writing at the time you agree.
If you are not given this information in writing the trader can't hold you to anything in the contract. The trader may also be guilty of a criminal offence, and may be investigated by your local authority Trading Standards Service.
If you decide to have work done, or to receive goods, within the 7 day cooling-off period, you should give your agreement in writing. But be careful. If you have given this written agreement for any services or any of these goods:
- goods supplied to meet an emergency
- goods that are personalised or made to your specification
- goods whose price is dependent on fluctuations in financial markets
- perishable goods
- goods which by their nature are consumed by use and cannot be returned
- goods that have become incorporated into land, or something else
- goods or services relating to a funeral
and then you decide to cancel within the cooling-off period, you will have to pay for the work done so far or the goods you have received.
If you have not given your written agreement to receive services or any of these goods within the cooling-off period, then you are not required to pay if you decide to cancel within the cooling-off period. At the same time, in the above circumstances the trader does not have to start work if you have not given your written agreement.
If the goods you have bought do not fall within any of these categories, then whether you gave your consent to delivery during the cooling-off period or not, you are not obliged to pay if you decide to cancel within the cooling-off period.
To cancel a contract you must:
- cancel in writing and post (or deliver in person), or email the trader. A cancellation form for you to use should be provided by the trader, though you do not have to use this
- do this within 7 days of signing the contract
You should also keep proof of cancellation: if posting – send by recorded delivery, keep the delivery slip and keep a copy of your cancellation. If emailing, keep a copy of the email remember that cancellation is effective on the day you post, deliver or email your cancellation – not the day the trader receives it.
Once the contract has been cancelled it will be treated as though it had not been made. The trader should repay any money that you have paid, including any deposit.
You must restore any goods to the trader (unless you have been required to pay for them, for example, because they have been consumed) and take care of them before you do so. You have to bear the expense of returning the goods. You are not required to return goods until you have received your money back.
If you agreed to buy the goods or services through a related credit agreement (that is, where credit for those goods or services is provided by the trader, or where the trader arranges credit with another provider) and you cancel the contract, any related credit agreement will automatically be cancelled except for your duty to repay the credit.
In these circumstances, if you cancel the contract, no interest will be due if the credit is repaid within one month of cancellation or before the first instalment is due.
These regulations do not apply to:
- contracts for mortgages or home purchase plans or home revision plans made during a solicited visit
- agreements that are cancellable under the Consumer Credit Act 1974
- solicited contracts for regulated consumer credit agreements under the Act
- contracts for the construction, sale or rental of property (but they do apply to extensions, patios, conservatories or driveways and to repairs, refurbishment and improvement of property)
- insurance contracts
- contracts for food and drink supplied by regular roundsmen
- contracts under £35
- contracts relating to shares and investments, and
- catalogue orders where there is a notice showing the right to return goods or cancel the contract
(Information from the Consumer Direct Website).
For further information or advice please contact us.
Contact us
Trading Standards
Challenge Building
Hatherton Road
Walsall
WS1 1YG
Telephone: 08454040506
Fax: 01922 630697
Email trading_standards@walsall.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 18 March 2010