When someone comes to your door to sell you something, you have extra rights as a consumer. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to, and you can tell the salesperson to leave at any time. If you do buy something, but change your mind later, you can cancel without penalty or fee within 10 business days.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) can give you a free ‘Do not knock’ sticker to place on your letterbox or front door to help keep salespeople away.
If a salesperson ignores the sticker, they are breaking the law and you can report them.
The sticker is also a good reminder about your rights.
Salespeople:
- can’t contact you early in morning, late at night, or on a Sunday or public holiday
- must show ID and leave if you tell them to
- explain the full cost
- tell you about your cooling-off rights to cancel the contract.
Remember, if you don’t want something, it’s ok to say no.
Take your time, shop around and decide if you really need something before buying it.
Call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) to order your free ‘Do not knock’ sticker or pick one up from an ICAN office.
If you are approached by a dodgy salesperson, report them to the OFT on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading. You can stay anonymous if you wish.