Contract rules in BC

Some rules apply to most types of contracts, while others depend on how or where you made the purchase. For example, online, in person or through a subscription. 

Use the sections below to find the information that applies to your situation. 

Before you agree to buy something, a business must provide specific information upfront. This information must be provided clearly at no cost and before you enter a contract.

Which contracts are affected?

These pre‑purchase disclosure requirements apply to most common types of consumer contracts, including: 

• Purchases made online, over the phone, by email or fax (distance sales contracts)
• Contracts for goods or services that will be provided in the future or where a consumer does not pay in full upfront when they enter into the contract, and the total price is over $50 (future performance contracts)
• Fitness and other personal services contracts such as gym memberships, ski passes, sports camps, fitness classes and personal training
• Goods or services sold on a continuing basis, such as subscription contracts
• Door-to-door sales (direct sales contracts)
• Timeshare contracts 

Information that must be disclosed to you before completing a purchase

Before you agree to buy, businesses must clearly explain: 

• The supplier’s legal name and, if different, the business name
• A detailed description of the goods or services to be supplied, including any relevant technical or system specifications (if applicable)
• Delivery details (if applicable), including:
  • the method of delivery
  • the delivery location
• If the goods or services will not be provided at the time the contract is made:
  • the date they will be provided or supplied, and
  • the date they will be fully completed (if applicable)
• An itemized purchase price
• Any additional costs that can be determined in advance, including taxes and shipping charges
• Any additional costs that cannot reasonably be determined in advance, such as:
  • customs duties
  • brokerage fees
• Where payment is in a non-Canadian currency:
  • the currency that applies
• The terms of payment, including:
  • the payment schedule
  • the amount of each payment (if payments will be in installments)
• The total price, including any cost of credit
• Details of any trade-in, including its value (if applicable)
• If credit is provided or arranged by the business:
  • a description of any security interest
• Details of any promotional offers, including:
  • eligibility requirements
  • duration
  • terms that apply once the offer ends
• Any other terms, conditions, limitations, or restrictions
• Return, exchange, cancellation and refund policies
• If the contract includes renewal terms:
  • how renewal may occur
  • whether the contract renews automatically
• For door-to-door sales contracts, fitness or other personal services contracts and time share contracts:
  • a prescribed notice of cancellation rights

Read sections 18.2 and 18.3 of the amended Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act  (unofficial) for more information. 

Mandatory disclosures about return, exchange, cancellation and refund policies

Even if a business does not have these policies, they must disclose that in the pre-contract disclosures and the contract itself.

Giving you a chance to review the contract or get a copy 

Businesses must also give you an opportunity to review the full contract before the sale is completed. If you ask for a copy of the contract, it must be provided promptly.

Your cancellation rights

If the required pre‑purchase disclosures are not provided, or if they do not match the final contract, you may have the right to cancel. Continue reading for more information about how and when you can cancel in these situations.

Most consumer contracts need to include a common set of required information. 

In addition to the pre-contract disclosures listed above, these contracts must clearly include: 

• The supplier’s legal name and, if different, the business name
• The date the contract is entered into
• If the supplier is registered under the Motor Dealer Act, their registration number
• A detailed description of the goods or services to be supplied, including any relevant technical or system specifications (if applicable)
• Delivery details (if applicable), including:
  • the method of delivery
  • the delivery location
• If the goods or services will not be provided at the time the contract is made:
  • the date they will be provided or supplied, and
  • the date they will be fully completed (if applicable)
• An itemized purchase price
• Any additional costs that can be determined in advance, including taxes and shipping charges
• Any additional costs that cannot reasonably be determined in advance, such as:
  • customs duties
  • brokerage fees
• Where payment is in a non-Canadian currency:
  • the currency that applies
• The terms of payment, including:
  • the payment schedule
  • the amount of each payment (if payments will be in installments)
• The total price, including any cost of credit
• Details of any trade-in, including its value (if applicable)
• If credit is provided or arranged by the business:
  • a description of any security interest
• Details of any promotional offers, including:
  • eligibility requirements
  • duration
  • terms that apply once the offer ends
• Any other terms, conditions, limitations, or restrictions
• Return, exchange, cancellation and refund policies
• If the contract includes renewal terms:
  • how renewal may occur
  • whether the contract renews automatically
• For door-to-door sales contracts, fitness or other personal services contracts and time share contracts:
  • a prescribed notice of cancellation rights

Generally, if you ask for a copy of the contract, it must be provided promptly. 

Beyond this, when businesses must give you a copy of the contract depends on the contract type: 

• For goods or services that you don’t get right away or don’t pay for in full upfront (future performance contracts): within 15 days after the contract is entered into
• For fitness or other personal services contracts: within 15 days after the contract is entered into
• For subscription contracts: within 15 days after the contract is entered into
• For time share contracts: at the time the contract is entered into
• For goods or services sold online, over the phone, or by email or fax (distance sales contracts): within 15 days after the contract was entered into
• For door-to-door sales contracts (direct sales contracts): at the time the contract is entered into

Certain unfair contract terms are not allowed in consumer contracts and, if included, are void. These include terms that: 

• Prevent you from joining a class action lawsuit
• Stop you from posting reviews
• Include mandatory dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve disputes  

You can cancel your contract in certain situations, including: 

1. If the required pre‑purchase disclosures are not provided, you may have the right to cancel 
2. If the contract requirements are not provided, you may have the right to cancel 
3. If the pre-purchase disclosures and the contract requirements don’t align, you have the right to cancel 

How to cancel 

Send the form below directly to the business in a way that gives you proof of delivery, such as email, fax or registered mail. Keep copies for your records and follow up. The law gives the business 15 days to respond.  

Use this form to cancel your contract.