FEDERAL member for Page Kevin Hogan has reminded householders about their rights when a door-to-door salespeople knock on their door following a High Court win by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
“Consumers are able to avoid door-to-door salespeople by displaying a ‘Do Not Knock’ sticker on their door,” Mr Hogan said.
“If door-to-door salespeople knock on the doors of consumers who clearly display a ‘Do Not Knock’ sticker they are breaking the law and could be liable for a penalty of up to $50,000.
“To assist consumers’ free ‘Do Not Knock’ stickers can be ordered from the ACCC website.”
Mr Hogan said consumers should remember that under the Australian Consumer Law, consumers have a cooling-off period of 10 business days when they can cancel an unsolicited consumer agreement.
“Consumers have rights if a contract they have signed, or a product they have purchased doesn’t seem right,” he said. “If anyone is unsure about how the law work’s for them they should contact the ACCC.”
The Australian Consumer Law contains express supplier obligations about the way in which consumers are approached face to face. Door-to-door salespeople:
• are not allowed to visit on Sundays or public holidays, before 9am or after 6pm on weekdays, and before 9am or after 5pm on Saturdays;
• must leave immediately, and not return for 30 days, if asked to do so;
• must inform a consumer of their name, the organisation they represent, and the purpose of their visit; and
• must inform consumers about their ‘cooling-off’ rights.
The ACL applies in all states and territories, and to all Australian businesses. More information about the ACL can be found at www.consumerlaw.gov.au.
The ACCC can be contacted directly by calling them on 1300 302 502 (for the cost of a local call) or by visiting their website at www.accc.gov.au.
