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Door-to-door sales prohibition law targets pressure tactics

January 26, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Avery Park

Everyone has experienced the dread when a stranger with a clipboard walks up to your front door and acts like they own the place.

Door-to-door salespeople tend to be very pushy and refuse to take no for an answer. They push until you’re so pressured to buy whatever they’re selling, that you finally give in and do whatever they say.

On March 1, the Door-to-Door Sales Prohibition Act went into effect in Ontario, and as a result you should never have to feel that dread again.

There are some things we think you should know about this, so you’re prepared if anyone tries to approach you at your home, even after this has passed.

In this Act it states, “No person shall sell, lease, rent or offer to sell, lease or rent a product listed in subsection (2) to a consumer in person at the consumer’s home,” which prevents the sales people from coming to your doors.

The items that may no longer be sold door-to-door are air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, water treatment devices and any other prescribed product. It is also said that this “does not restrict advertising and marketing activities or other prescribed activities.” So Girl Guide cookies shouldn’t be involved in this.

If a person is compelled to invite the salesperson into their home, and sign a contract with them, this contract can be deemed void at any point in time, even if they’ve already paid for the product, it’s already been delivered or has been installed.

If anyone disobeys this, they will be charged a fine of up to $500 if it is an individual, and up to $5, 000 for a person within a company for their first time offence under this Act. If a second time occurs, the fines can be up to $1, 000 and $10, 000, and for a third time they can be fined up to $2, 000 and $25, 000.

This Act will help many people feel the relief of no longer being manipulated at their front door. They can rest easy knowing this Act is in place, keeping those people from ringing their doorbells.

If you would like more information about the Door-to-Door Sales Prohibition Act, go to ontla.on.ca for the rest of the details.

This issue has been annoying for homeowners in Ontario for quite some time, and it will, thankfully, be coming to an end.

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