KAWARTHA LAKES-Effective today there should be no more knock, knock, knocking on your door by unsolicited sales people.
The Province has banned door-to-door sales of certain household appliances to better protect consumers from aggressive and misleading contracting at home.
“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. 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.” said Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
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.
And the penalties are still for those who don’t abide by the new rules. Contracts that are 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.
The 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
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.
If a consumer calls for a repair, maintenance or any other reason, businesses will only be allowed to leave information about the products and services they offer, unless the business has a written contract in place with the consumer and secures the consumer’s approval in advance of the visit to solicit a contract for the restricted goods or 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.
Ontario is the second province in Canada to restrict door-to-door solicitation and contracts. Door-to-door contracts have been among the top complaints received by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
 photo credit: Spencer Means The front door of the Casimir Patrick House (c.1827), 24 Clifford Street, Charleston, SC via photopin (license)
