New Legislation To Protect All Consumers
The 1st October 2008 sees the introduction of legislation to protect all consumers buying products from sales people in their home or at their place of work. Customers who invite door-to-door salesmen into their homes for pre-arranged visits will, from the 1st October, be able to cancel their contracts. Prior to this date, customers were only able to cancel their contracts with the seven day “cooling off” period if the salesmen had not made an appointment. This, obviously, lead to confusion as if a trader sold a product during an unsolicited call, the customer had at least seven days to change their mind . However, when the sale was made during a pre-arranged meeting, the customer wasn’t entitled to a cooling-off period and was committed to paying for the goods they had ordered. The new “Cancellation of Contracts Made in a Consumer’s Home or Place at Work, etc. Regulations 2008 (No 1816)” will not only protect the consumer but will also make things far simpler for honest businesses. Consumer Affairs Minister, Gareth Thomas said: “The winners here are honest businesses as well as customers. The regulations will put an end to underhand tactics used by rogues who take advantage of current loopholes in the law to beat their rivals.” Customer care is and always will be at the forefront of how we do business and, for this reason, Vantage Windows & Conservatories have from our launch offered clients a seven day “cooling off” period prior to this legislation being introduced. |