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Door-to-door sales

You have extra rights when salespeople or traders come to your home unannounced.

If you are approached by a door-to-door salesperson:

ask to see their identification
do not let them rush you into buying anything
get all contracts, warranties and guarantees in writing.

Fair Trading takes complaints about door-to-door traders seriously. If you've had a problem with a door-to-door trader, please call us or send us an email.

Door-to-door sales protections

A door-to-door trader can only visit your home, or telephone you to arrange an appointment to visit your home, between:

9 am - 6 pm Monday to Friday or
9 am - 5 pm Saturday.

A 10-day cooling-off period applies to any contract worth more than $75. You may cancel the contract, in writing, at any time during this period. If the contract is worth more than $75, the salesman cannot take money from you (including deposits), start work, or provide goods or services within the 10-day cooling-off period.

If the door-to-door trader breaches any of these provisions, you are entitled to a six month cooling-off period. Door-to-door salespeople and traders must leave when you ask them to. If they do not, call the police and call us or send us an email.

When you purchase a product or service from a door-to-door salesperson, they must give you:

a copy of the signed contract showing the total price, including GST, of the goods or services provided (or describe in detail how the total price is to be calculated)
Door-to-door Sales Form 1 - Right to cancel door-to-door contract (PDF, 185 KB), which outlines your right to cancel a door-to-door contract
Door-to-door Sales Form 2 - Cancellation form (PDF, 128 KB), which you use to cancel a door-to-door sales contract during the 10 day cooling-off period.

When the protections don't apply

The door-to-door sales protection does not apply if:

the service is for credit or insurance
the purchase is for $75 or less
you do not meet the seller face to face at any stage
you've answered a general advertisement or you have approached the vendor
you've invited the salesperson to your home, unless the trader sought your invitation
you are in business and buy goods or services for your own company.

The cooling-off period does not apply if you:

make the purchase by phone with your credit card
entered a competition where the conditions give permission for the trader to enter your home to demonstrate goods
contact a business and invite a salesperson to your home
answer an advertisement which results in a salesperson visiting your home.

Real life story

Read a real life story about the cooling-off period for door-to-door sales contracts.

Last reviewed 17/09/2009