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Security > Don't buy
trouble |
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March is
Fraud Prevention Month
Door to Door Sales
- Don't Buy Trouble!
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Victoria, BC – As the weather improves many
individuals, especially seniors, may find themselves
face to face with door to door salespeople.
Scam
artists will come to the door uninvited, offering to
sell a product or service and they take the
consumer’s money while leaving them with an
overpriced product, shoddy workmanship or nothing at
all.
Some
examples of the types of door to door sales which
may be scams are vacuum and air filtration system
sales. There are also many legitimate businesses and
individuals who make their living selling their
products and services directly to consumers through
door to door sales. When considering a purchase via
a door to door sale, consumers should consider the
following tips in order to recognize legitimate
salespeople and to minimize their chances of being a
victim of a fraud:
Know Who You are Doing Business With
It
is very important to know who you are doing business
with. Before making a purchase ask the sales person
for their business card and contact information.
Check out the company’s BBB Reliability Report at
www.bbbvi.ca before making a purchase or signing a
contract.
Do
your research about the product being sold. What is
the average price for the same or similar product in
a store or online? Take the time to comparison shop,
getting information on the product price and quality
being sold.
Be Weary of High Pressure Sales
Tactics
Try
not to feel pressured into buying something from a
door to door salesperson.
A
legitimate company will allow you time to do some
research and to make up your mind.
If
you are not interested in the product a door to door
salesperson is offering, do not let them in your
home. If at any time you want the sales person to
leave, be firm, ask them to leave and call the
police if they refuse.
Think before you buy: Do you need
this product? Can you afford to purchase and
maintain it? Read the Contract Carefully
Always make sure you get a written contract that
outlines all the details of the transaction.
Read
the fine print before you sign anything. Don't agree
to any terms you do not fully understand.
Direct sales contracts are legally required to
contain certain information. Check with the Business
Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA)
to find out what needs to be included in this type
of contract.
Check the contract for your cancellation rights;
according to BC law you may have a 10-day cooling
off period where you are able to change your mind.
General Tips to Protect Yourself
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Do not pay in cash without getting a receipt.
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Do not make cheques payable to the salesperson;
make all cheques to the company.
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If you do buy something, keep copies of all
receipts and cancelled cheques.
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If you cancel, do so in a way that you can prove
you cancelled such as a fax or registered
letter.
To
check out a company Reliability Report visit the BBB
of Vancouver Island website at
www.bbbvi.ca.
For
more information about contract requirements and
cancellations or to register a complaint about
door-to-door sales or potentially deceptive acts,
contact the Business Practices and Consumer
Protection Authority (BPCPA) at www.bpcpa.ca or
1-888-564-9963. The BBB and BPCPA can also provide
you with information about your rights and
responsibilities as a consumer and as a business.
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Source:
Better Business Bureau Vancouver Island
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