Community Advisory – Door – to – Door Sales

The Brantford Police Service is advising the community to be mindful when an aggressive sales person comes knocking at your door.

The Brantford Police Service received two complaints on Tuesday June 2, 2015 regarding two different individuals who had attended at their home wanting to sell a type of water filtration system. The complaint’s concerns were the approach the sales person used which seemed aggressive in nature. The complainants did not invite the sales persons into their homes.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PROTECT YOURSELF

If you are not interested in listening to a sales pitch or presentation or purchasing anything at your door ask the person to leave your property.

If the unwanted person fails to leave your property when directed to do so, call police immediately.

If you are interested in listening to the sales person ask first for their;

full company name, location and telephone number, and photo identification

never share personal information (ex a current utility bill)

look at the company’s name on the salespersons forms and or brochure and ensure the promotional material and company name is consistent and accurate

If you allow the person into your home and during the presentation you change your mind. You have the right to change your mind and ask the person to leave

If the unwanted person fails to leave your property when directed to do so, call police immediately.

Local utility companies, municipalities, government agencies or regulatory organizations don’t send salespeople door to door.

You do not have to sign any contract and you are protected if you change your mind.

Never allow someone to pressure you into a decision, trust your instinct, if something doesn’t feel right end the conversation. Do some research regarding the business and/or product. Contact the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and search their open free to public search regarding any previous or ongoing investigations and/or complaints regarding the company.

*As per the Consumer Protection Act Ontario you have the right to cancel any contract for any reason within a 10 calendar-day cooling-off period, with the exception of water heater contracts for which you have a cooling off period of 20 days. This is to protect ones rights when you buy something in your home that costs more than $50.00.

To find out more regarding the cooling off period or how to cancel a contract visit

http://www.ontario.ca/consumers/door-door-sales-and-home-service-contracts

http://www.ontario.ca/consumers/your-rights-when-signing-or-cancelling-contract

The City of Brantford has also issued an advisory on their website regarding door to door sales. For more information visit;

http://www.brantford.ca/news_room/news_releases/Pages/WarningtoBrantfordCitizensRegardingSuspectDoor-to-DoorWaterTreatmentSales.aspx

Crime Prevention through Education and Awareness””

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