Doorstep selling is where a salesperson calls at your home, or stops you in the street or shopping centre, for example, to sell you goods or services – it doesn’t have to be literally on your doorstep.
Doorstep selling can be for anything from double glazing to cleaning products, home improvements or a gas or electricity supplier.
Did You Know?
As from 1st October 2008 the rules relating to doorstep selling were extended. These cover almost all contracts valued over £35.00 which are made at your home or place of work.
Many individuals and traders still do not realise that the new regulations apply to them even if, for example, the trader has first made a telephone appointment with the customer to visit them.
In short, the regulations allow you, as a consumer who has entered into such a contract to have a cooling off period of seven calendar days during which time you have the absolute right to cancel.
These regulations also extend to the situation where you have offered to buy something or commission a service away from a particular organisations usual business premises. So, for example, if you go to a hotel presentation for a time share then the regulations will apply.
The regulations also apply even where the contract is concluded at a later date, provided the offer of the services is made either in your home or in your place of work.
So What Has to Happen?
The trader must provide you with a notice in writing giving your cancellation rights. If the trader does not provide this information they cannot enforce the contract against you, if you have paid a deposit they must return it, and in addition the trader may be found guilty of a criminal offence for breach of the regulations.
Are There Exceptions?
Yes, the main exception being that the contract can be enforced if you have signed a waiver confirming that they do not want the seven day cooling off period to apply to them.
There are also other limited exceptions where, even if the seven day cooling off notice has not been given, you will still have to pay for whatever work has been done during that cooling off period, for example, funeral services or personalised goods. Please contact us if you require further details.
If the seven day cooling off period applies and you decide to cancel the contract during that period then you must cancel it in writing and post, deliver in person or email to the trader a cancellation form or letter. You must however do this within seven days of signing the contract.
The above is for general advice only, please contact us if you require any further advice or have any matter we can help you with.