Door to door sales – your choice

Media release

8 December 2016

Door to door sales – your choice

With the festive season upon us, Consumer Protection urges consumers to be aware of their rights when it comes to door-to-door and telemarketing sales.

MBIE Consumer Protection Manager Mark Hollingsworth says Christmas time may mean more people knocking on the door offering goods or services.

“While many door-to-door salespersons are legitimate, the Christmas period can see an increase in uninvited direct salespeople preying on vulnerable people.

“Our advice to consumers who are facing uninvited direct sales is to remember you have the right to say no, if you feel pressured don’t agree to anything, and don’t give the salesperson your name or other personal details. Door-to-door traders must leave when you tell them to. If you ask them to leave and they refuse, you can call the police as the door-to-door seller will be trespassing.

“Many people may not be aware that the under the law you have a five day cooling-off period for a door to door sale and that you must be given a copy of the contract and other important information. The Fair Trading Act also includes protection from false or misleading representations, unsubstantiated claims and unfair practices,” Mr Hollingsworth says.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from uninvited direct sales or resolve an issue with a door-to-door salesperson on theConsumer Protection website.

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