Wirral Trading Standards regularly receive complaints members of the public about traders soliciting business door to door. The most common complaints relate to burgler alarms, roof repairs and tarmacing of drives

The DTI have issued the following guidance for consumers.

Doorstep Selling - A consumers' guide

Do's and don'ts, and where to get help 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?
  • can 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 are sure you want to buy
• let a caller into your home if you are at all suspicious of them
• agree to buy anything until you've checked prices elsewhere
• 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 salesmen convince you to buy things you don't need
• listen to scare stories. They are usually nonsense.

Where to get help

If you want to complain about a doorstep trader, contact your local trading standards department.
(contact details on the About Us page)

Know your rights

• If the goods or services you buy cost more than £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 (e.g. perishables) or 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 a 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.

Think before you buy

Always ask yourself: would I have bought this even if a doorstep salesmen hadn't called? If the answer is no, you need to think very carefully about your decision:
• Do I want it?
• Can I afford it?
• Will I ever use it?
• Is it good value compared with other similar products or services?
• Do I know and trust the seller?
• What will happen if something goes wrong or I change my mind?
• Do I know how to contact the seller again?
• Do I have the right to cancel?
• Is this offer too good to be true?

Finally

Trading Standards Division, 3rd Floor, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
Telephone: 08454 04 05 06    Fax: (0151) 691 8098
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/wirral/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@wirral.gov.uk