The “Right-to-Cancel” Law – Know
Your Rights!
The right-to-cancel law, known as
the Door-to-Door Sales Act, can be a consumer's best friend. Under the law, a consumer may cancel a sale
made at his or her home – or at some other location away from the seller's place of business – within three business days and get a refund. But, note: for many sales, there is no right
to cancel!
The law DOES apply to all door-to-door
sales of merchandise or services, such as meat and food products, vacuum
cleaners, and home repairs. It also
applies to sales made at tent sales, restaurants and hotel seminars (such as
investment or job programs.) The law
DOES NOT apply to purchases at a seller's normal place of business (such
as a retail store or car dealership), to sales made by telephone or by mail, or
to purchases under $25.
Under the law, the seller must TELL
you of your right to cancel at the time of sale and give you two copies of a
written notice of your right to cancel. The contract is void if the seller
fails to do this. If you cancel your
purchase and request a refund, the seller must refund your money within ten
business days and cancel any further financial obligations.
Don’t buy from door-to-door sellers
who don’t give you your rights to cancel.
In fact, contact local law enforcement or the Attorney General’s Office
about the company.
Follow these tips if you purchase
items or services from door-to-door sellers:
·
Get all promises in
writing and get a written notice of your right to cancel.
·
To cancel a sale, sign
and date one copy of the cancellation form and mail it to the address given for
cancellation. Make sure the envelope is postmarked by midnight of the third
business day following the purchase. (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are not
counted as "business days.”) Or,
hand-deliver the notice.
·
Send the letter by
certified mail for proof that you mailed your request for a refund within the
required time. Get a receipt if you hand-deliver your notice.
·
If you used a credit
card for your purchase, you can contact your credit card company and challenge
the charge within 60 days after the date the first bill was mailed to you.
·
Contact local law
enforcement officials if you are victimized by a door-to-door scam or you do
not receive a refund you requested.
For
more information or to file a complaint, contact the Attorney General’s
Consumer Protection Division, Hoover Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. Call 515-281-5926 or toll-free to
1-888-777-4590. The web address is
www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org
.
Consumer Protection Division Hoover Building Des Moines, Iowa 50319 515/281-5926