Door-to-door sales

A door-to-door sale is typically considered a direct sale. Here are a few things to know about these types of contracts: 

• It has a value of more than $50 before taxes, shipping or any other costs are included
• It’s signed during a visit from a door-to-door sales agent
• You shouldn’t be asked for a deposit of more than $100 or 10 per cent of the total price in the contract, whichever is smaller 

Door-to-door sales are not allowed for certain products and services. 

What can’t be sold door-to-door 

By law, businesses are not allowed to sell these items at your door: 

• Furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners
• Duct cleaning services
• Water heaters and water treatment systems
• Home security systems
• Solar panel systems
• Energy or window audits 

They also can’t enter into a direct sales contract to sell parts or repairs for these items.  

If someone sells you one of these products or services door-to-door 

• You are not legally bound by the contract
• Any related financing agreement is also not binding
• Please submit a complaint to us so we can advise on next steps 

When the rules may be different 

There are a few limited situations where these restrictions may not apply, such as: 

• If you invite the business to your home
• If the seller is a licensed and regulated business in certain industries
• If the sale happens at a temporary location, like a trade show 

Even in these cases, other consumer protection rules may still apply.

If a business comes to your door and enters into any door-to-door sales contract, they cannot: 

• Offer or arrange financing, such as a payment plan or loan
• Arrange credit for you 

You can still choose to pay using your own credit card, but the seller cannot arrange that credit.

When you buy goods or services, there are certain things that must be disclosed to you. These rules are designed to make sure you get clear information before you agree to a contract and that your rights are protected after. 

Pre-contract disclosures and contract requirements 

Before you agree to buy something, businesses are required to give you certain information about the purchase. They must also include specific details in the contract. 

Explore our resources for more information about contract requirements and when you can cancel if details are missing on our Contracts page. 

Door-to-door sales contract requirements 

For door-to-door sales contracts, your contract must also include: 

• The name of the person from the business who signs the contract
• The location where the contract was signed
• The signatures of:
  • the business representative or person who signs the contract on behalf of the business
  • you, the consumer
  • anyone who is guaranteeing the agreement, if applicable 

Getting a copy of the contract 

For door-to-door sales contracts, also known as direct sales contracts, you must get a copy of the contract at the time the contract is entered into. If you don’t receive a copy of the contract, it is not binding.

Once you receive a copy of the contract, you have 10 days to cancel for any reason. If you want to cancel, you must do so in writing within that 10-day period. 

Within the first year of signing a contract, you can also cancel if:  

• There is missing information in the contract (details on our Contracts page)
• You were asked for a down payment of more than $100 or 10 per cent of the total price
• At the time the contract was made, the supplier was under a direct sales prohibition order
• If you didn’t get a copy of the contract at the time it was entered into

To cancel your contract, print off and complete a cancellation form and send it directly to the business in a way that allows you to prove delivery. This could include registered mail, fax, or email. Keep copies for your records and be sure to follow up with the business. It’s a good idea to confirm a contract cancellation. The law gives the business 15 days to respond. 

Use this form to cancel a direct sales contract within 10 days. 

Use this form to cancel a direct sales contract within the first year or for not receiving the goods or services within 30 days of the supply date. 

Please submit a complaint to us so we can assess your situation and guide you on next steps. 

How we review complaints 

We look at each complaint to decide if we should open a case based on the facts, the law and the level of risk. We focus on issues that cause the most harm or affect more people, especially those who may be vulnerable. In some cases, we may refer it to another agency that’s better suited to help.

Unhappy with the quality of goods or services provided? Have you spoken to the business and they aren’t addressing your concerns? Your next step would be to take the matter to court. 

For disputes up to $35,000 use Small Claims Court.

For claims up to $5,000 use Civil Resolution Tribunal. 

A door to door sale is typically considered a direct sale. Here are a few things to know about these types of contracts:

• It has a value of more than $50
• It’s signed during a visit from a door-to-door sales agent
• If you ask the sales agent to come to your house more than 24 hours in advance of the visit, this is not a direct sales contract
• You shouldn’t be asked for a deposit of more than $100 or 10 per cent of the total price in the contract, whichever is smaller

A direct sales contract is also a type of future performance contract. By law, it must have:

• The supplier’s information, including the name and signature of the individual who signed on behalf of the supplier
• Your signature
• The place where the contract was entered into
• The date the contract was entered
• Description of the goods or services
• Cost of the items
• Taxes and shipping charges
• Description of custom duties, brokerage fees, or additional charges
• Terms of payment
• Total price under the contract, including the total cost of credit
• If applicable, a description and dollar value of any trade-in
• If credit is extended or arranged by the supplier, a description of the subject matter of any security interest
• Notice of the consumer’s rights of cancellation
• Restrictions, limitations or other terms or conditions that may apply to the supply of the goods or service

The law gives a full list of what is required and the contract is not binding if it has missing information.

Read the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, Sections 19, 20 and 21.

Once you receive a copy of the contract, you have 10 days to cancel for any reason. You must give written notice of cancellation to the seller within that 10-day period.

Within the first year of signing a contract, you can also cancel if:

• There is missing information in the contract
• You were asked for a down payment of more than $100 or 10 per cent of the total price
• If you didn’t get a copy of the contract at the time it was entered into

There are a few circumstances that might seem like you have entered into a direct sales contract but aren’t captured by the law. Exemptions include:

• If you ask the sales agent to come to your house more than 24 hours in advance of the visit
• If you buy something temporary kiosk in a shopping mall, or at an agricultural show, fair, trade show, craft show, art show, or similar type of event

Read the Consumer Contracts Regulation, Section 5.

Use this form to cancel a direct sales contract within 10 days.

Use this form to cancel a direct sales contract after 10 days (for not containing the required content or not receiving the goods or services within 30 days of the supply date).

Please submit a complaint so we can assess it and guide you on next steps.

How we review complaints

We look at each complaint to decide if we should open a case based on the facts, the law, and the level of risk. We focus on issues that cause the most harm or affect more people, especially those who may be vulnerable. In some cases, when an issue is supported by the law, we may refer it to another agency that’s better suited to help. 

Unhappy with the quality of goods or services provided? Have you spoken to the business and they aren’t addressing your concerns? Your next step would be to take the matter to court.

For disputes, up to $35,000 use Small Claims Court.

For claims up to $5,000 use Civil Resolution Tribunal.