Forum

Have you had any of these approaches?

• "You've got a loose tile on your roof"
• "I can give you a good price to repair your driveway"
• "I'm doing a survey"
• "I advise on security/home safety"
• "We were working next door when we noticed…"
• "You have definitely won a prize"
• "We are only in your area this week"
• "Can you help with market research?"
• "I'm selling on behalf of …"
• "We're looking for show homes…"

All of the above claims are used by uninvited doorstep callers/sales people as an introduction to try and get you to pay for services or goods, usually those, which you don’t want or don’t need. Indeed very often the claims they make are totally untrue.

Each year Surrey Trading Standards receives many complaints from people who have been conned when dealing with doorstep callers. These cons sometimes involve many thousands of pounds.

Your Rights

If you pay or agree to pay over £42 for any services or goods that are sold to you during a visit to your home or your place of work, then:

• You have fourteen days to cancel the agreement. Any monies you have paid should then be returned to you.
• The caller must give you a written cancellation form setting out your rights when you agree the contract. If the caller does not provide you with this information he is committing a criminal offence and the agreement isn’t valid.

Although doorstep calling is not illegal, by agreeing to services from such traders you are putting your money at risk.

Always remember that reputable businesses generally don’t knock on doors to find customers.

Doorstep callers are trained in high pressure sales techniques and can be very persuasive. But you should always say "No thank you" and then immediately close the door. If the person won’t go away, tell them you will call the Police and Trading Standards.

Always Ask Yourself –

• Do I really want the work done, or the goods?
• Would I normally have agreed to this?
• Have I compared prices?
• What if it goes wrong?
• Do I know the seller?
• Can I really afford it?
• Can I contact the seller again?
• Do I have any cancellation rights?

Don't hurry to part with your money - a good deal will always wait.