OPP detachments in the Ottawa Valley are reminding everyone to know who you are letting in your home. The notice comes after family members discovered two unknown “salesmen” in the residence of their elderly family members. The two individuals, who had managed to invite themselves in, left the residence when directed by family members. It is unclear what they were attempting to sell or what company they may have been working for.
REMEMBER:
• ask for photo ID and get the name of the person and the business/charity
• never share personal information (e.g., an electricity or gas bill)
• if you ask a salesperson to leave, they must leave right away. If you feel unsafe, call local police
• look at the company name on the salesperson’s business card and promotional material and see if it matches the company name on the proposed contract
Since 2018, Ontario has banned unsolicited, door-to-door sales of certain household appliances to better protect consumers from aggressive and misleading contracting at home.
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. Contracts that are in violation of the 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.
The rules 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
In addition, 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.
The OPP also encourage residents to be aware of a resource available to them from Consumer Protection Ontario www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection before they make important decisions like purchasing a home, hiring a contractor or home inspector, renting a water heater and other such transactions.
(Written by: Kyle Robinson)