Know Your Rights

Doorstep sellingDoorstep Selling - Know Your Rights

Cooling Off Period

  • If the goods and services you buy cost more than £35 you have at least seven calendar days to cancel the contract.
  • It does not matter whether you invited the trader in to your home or not.

Your right to cancel

  • A trader must advise you in writing that you can cancel the contract.
  • This information will usually be set out in your contract and should be legible and have equal prominence to any other part of the agreement.
  • If you are not given this information the agreement cannot be enforced and you don't have to pay a penny even if goods or services have already been supplied.
  • The trader must not start work until after the cooling off period.
  • If you do cancel the contract and goods have already been delivered you must keep them safe and let the trader collect them.
  • 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. If you have given this written agreement 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.

To cancel a contract you must

  • Cancel in writing by post or e-mail and get proof of posting. 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 or agreeing the contract. Once the contract has been cancelled it will be treated as though it had not been made.

These regulations do not apply to:

  • Contracts for mortgages or home purchase plans
  • Agreements that are cancellable under the Consumer Credit Act 1974
  • Solicited contracts for regulated consumer credit agreements under the Act
  • Contracts for 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.

 

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