Ontario's ban on door-to-door sales comes into effect next week

Feb 24 2018, 1:25 am

Ontario’s ban on unsolicited, door-to-door sales starts next week.

The ban, which starts on March 1, will restrict aggressive and misleading contracting in Ontario homes, according to the province.

As of next Thursday, businesses will only be able to enter into a contract in the consumer’s home if the consumer has contacted the business ahead of time and invited them into their home for the purpose of entering into a contract.

Anyone in violation of the new rules relating to door-to-door contract solicitation will be considered void, and consumers will be able to keep the goods and services with no obligations, according to the new law.

These new rules will apply to:

  • Air cleaners
  • Air conditioners
  • Air purifiers
  • Duct cleaning services
  • Furnaces
  • Water filters
  • Water heaters
  • Water purifiers
  • Water softeners
  • Water treatment devices
  • Bundles of these goods and services

Additionally, the provincial government states that “businesses will be required to keep a record of how contact with the consumer entering the contract was made, and all contracts signed in the home for these goods and services will also have a 10-day cooling-off period, allowing consumers to cancel the contract for any reason without penalty.”

Door-to-door contracts have been among the top complaints received by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.

“We have heard from many consumers, ‎including many seniors, who are being taken advantage of at their doorsteps,” said Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, in a statement. “These new laws will ensure that people aren’t being taken advantage of through unsolicited door-to-door contracting.”

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