DOORSTEP SELLING ADVICE

BEWARE OF DOORSTEP SELLERS

Many doorstep sellers are honest and genuine. However, some aren’t – and they may use lines like these in order to get into your home:

• ‘Congratulations! You’ve won a prize! If you could just sign here for it…’
• ‘I noticed you’ve got a few loose tiles on your roof…’
• ‘There have been a lot of burglaries in the area recently…’
• ‘This cut-price special offer is only available if you sign today…’
• ‘I’m doing a survey…’

Most legitimate market researchers carry an identity card, which you can ask to see. If you’re in any doubt, call the Market Research Society free on 0500 396999. And if someone says they work for a charity, for the Council or for social services, they should be able to show you proof.

Remember, doorstep sellers are trained to get people to buy. They can be extremely persuasive. Once you have let a doorstep seller into your home, they will be expecting a sale – and they won’t give up easily.

Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts to help you deal with doorstep sellers.

DO

• fix a security chain to your door, and make sure you use it every time someone calls
• if in doubt, just say ‘No thank you’ and close the door
• find out the name and address of the seller’s company
• ask yourself:
  • Do I want or need this?
  • Can I afford it?
  • Could I get it cheaper elsewhere?
  • Do I know and trust the seller?
• ask the seller what will happen if you change your mind. In most cases, you will have a seven-day ‘cooling off’ period during which you can cancel the contract
• ask for more time if you’re not sure; a reputable seller will understand
• pay by credit card for goods or services costing more than £100. The credit card company will give you some protection
• get a receipt with the name, address and phone number of the company on it.

DON’T

• ask a doorstep seller to call unless you’re sure you want to buy
• let a caller into your home if you are at all suspicious of them
• let the seller push you into making a snap decision
• pay a deposit unless you’re sure you want to buy
• agree to have work done on your home without getting a second opinion
• let persuasive salesman convince you to buy things you don’t need

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

If the goods or services you buy cost more than &#pound;35, and you did not invite the seller to call, then you generally have seven days to change your mind and cancel the contract. Responding to an advertisement in the paper or a leaflet dropped through your door counts as inviting the seller to call.

If you agree to a visit after the seller rings you up or sends someone round to ask if he or she can visit, you still have the right to cancel within seven days.

By law, the seller must give you written details of your right to cancel (there are exceptions to this rule).

Failure to do this is a criminal offence, and the contract cannot be enforced against you.

The details of the right to cancel may be set out in the contract, or you may be given a separate form.

If you cancel the contract, you can get back any money you paid. If you have already received certain goods (eg. Perishables) or if certain services have been carried out (e.g. some home improvements), then you will have to pay for these, despite having cancelled the contract.

If you cancel the contract, and goods have already been supplied to you, you must let the seller collect them and look after them in the meantime.

If you contact the company yourself, you have no legal right to change your mind and cancel the contract once you’ve agreed to buy. There are two exceptions: firstly, if the contract says so; secondly, if you bought the goods or service on credit when you will generally have a five-day cancellation period. However, if something is wrong with the goods, you may have other rights against the seller.

Further useful links:

• Advice from consumer direct: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
• Information from the DTI about the proposed amendments due to the OFT market study: http://www.dti.gov.uk

For further information, or to report a rogue doorstepper, you can contact Trading Standards on 01628 683802 and Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

Date of Release: 4-5-07

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