Good news for anyone who’s had their Netflix marathon disturbed by a personal sales pitch.
Starting March 1 (this Thursday), 2018, Ontario will ban unsolicited, door-to-door sales “to better protect consumers from aggressive and misleading contracting at home.”
While the ban doesn’t cover door-to-door sales of all products, it does cover the most irritating bunch: household appliances. Because the last thing you need on a hungover Sunday is to explain your way out of a 24-month financing plan for a new furnace.
The new law will apply the sale of:
- 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
- Businesses will also need to keep a record of how contact with the consumer was made and provide consumers with clear information about their rights. All contracts signed in the home for the above-mentioned goods and services will also have a 10-day cooling-off period that allows consumers to cancel the contract for any reason without penalty.
The new rules weren’t born out of trivial concern, either. According to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, door-to-door contracts have been among the top complaints received.
“These new laws will ensure that people aren’t being taken advantage of through unsolicited door-to-door contracting. 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.
“Our government is taking steps to protect Ontario consumers and provide them with more protection against aggressive and misleading door-to-door contracting tactics so that they can enjoy peace of mind in their homes.”
The move is part of the provincial government’s sweeping effort to “create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change.” This includes a significant minimum wage increase, the first phase of which went into effect on January 1.