Door-to-door sales and contracts

Door-to-door sales are a type of unsolicited consumer agreement

If a salesperson approaches you (such as a door-to-door salesperson), other than by telephone, then they must:

  • contact you within the allowed times
  • clearly explain upfront the purpose of the visit and provide identification (a name and address);
  • explain their obligations to leave immediately if you ask them to. (and if you ask them to leave they must not contact you again for at least 30 days unless they return representing a different supplier);
  • inform you about your cooling-off / cancellation rights; 
  • provide a copy of the agreement (contract) immediately after it is signed; and
  • give you a notice to use if you wish to terminate the contract. 

The contract must clearly state:

  • your cooling off rights;
  • the full terms of the agreement;
  • the total price payable, or how this will be calculated;
  • any postal or delivery charges; and
  • the contact details for the business.

Watch The Checkout's video on unsolicited selling to help understand your rights. 

Do Not Knock

The Do Not Knock campaign has materials you can use to discourage door to door salespeople contacting you.

Unsolicited agreements

An unsolicited consumer agreement occurs when:

  • a supplier/salesperson approaches or telephones you without you having invited this contact; 
  • negotiations take place over the phone, or in person at a location other than the supplier’s premises; and
  • the total value of any agreement made as a result of the contact is more than $100, or the value was not ascertainable at the time the agreement was made.

More information is available on our examples of unsolicited agreements page.

Requests for donations to a charity are not unsolicited agreements if they do not involve a sale of a good or service.

Party plan event sales with more than three people attending and the host had made it clear you are invited to the party to be sold something, are also not considered unsolicited agreements.

Waivers

A salesperson must not encourage you to give up your rights by agreeing to terms that are not consistent with the law. Waivers are not permitted under the law and would have no effect in any case.

When can a salesperson contact me?

There are set times which salespeople are allowed to contact you, unless they have made an appointment.

Times allowed to contact consumers

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