Door-To-Door Sales

Door-to-door sales are perfectly legal, but it’s important to be aware of your rights. Most notably with door-to-door purchases, you have three business days after the sale to cancel for a full refund if you spent $25 or more.

This rule applies to any sale made in person at your home or workplace, or at a seller’s rented facility, such as a hotel room, convention center, fairground, restaurant, etc. – with limited exceptions.


Door-to-Door Sales Regulations

Door-to-door salespeople are required to:

  • explain your cancellation rights at the time of sale.
  • provide you with two copies of a cancellation form (one to submit and one for your records).
  • give you a copy of the contract or receipt.
  • refund your money within 10 days after you submit a written notice of cancellation.

The contract or receipt must:

  • provide the date of the transaction.
  • include the seller’s name and contact information.
  • explain your cancellation rights.
  • be in the same language that’s used in the sales presentation.

Tips for Door-to-Door Sales

  • Don’t be fooled by limited-time offers.
    • Legitimate offers are always valid beyond the immediate time a salesperson is at your door. Don’t let them pressure you into signing up for a time-sensitive offer.
  • Be watchful for aggressive tactics.
    • It can be easier to say “no” at the doorstep than inside your house. If a salesperson refuses to leave or continues pressuring you to make a purchase, call the police.
  • Shut the door.
    • It’s a salesperson’s job to sell you merchandise – whether you need it or not. If you don’t want to buy a product, you don’t have to.

Common products sold door-to-door include home security systems and services like construction contracting and home repair or solicitations for charitable donations.


Learn More From the Federal Trade Commission

The Cooling-Off Rule: When and How to Cancel a Sale » | Comprador arrepentido: Cuando la Regla de Reflexión de la FTC lo puede ayudar »