What you need to know about doorstep selling Your rights

Doorstep selling is where a salesperson calls at your home or work to sell you goods or services.

Doorstep selling can be for anything from double glazing to cleaning products, home improvements or a gas or electricity supplier

Most doorstep sellers are honest and genuine. But some rogue traders might stretch the truth, or downright lie, to get you to part with your cash. If the caller offers you a 'once only' price for agreeing to the transaction on the spot be suspicious. Remember, you are under no obligation to buy, even once you've let the salesperson into your house.

If you buy from a doorstep salesperson you have the same rights under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 or Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 as you would if you bought from a shop. But it can be difficult to get rid of a pushy salesperson (and you can't walk away as you would from a shop), so there are extra rules to protect you.

Doorstep selling regulations

If you sign a contract made during a sales visit to your home, place of work or during an excursion arranged by the company, the Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 give you a seven-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel any contract. Any credit agreement you took out to pay for the goods or services would automatically come to an end when you cancel too. Whether you have a written contract or not the salesperson must tell you, in writing, about your cancellation rights.

If you think a doorstep salesperson has broken the regulations, contact your local Trading Standards department (in England, Wales or Scotland) or the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment (in Northern Ireland).

When the Doorstep Selling Regulations don't apply

The regulations don't apply to:

• Goods or services that are worth less than £35
• Perishable goods, such as food and drink
• Land, insurance, credit and investment agreements

Industry Codes of Practice

As well as the Doorstep Selling Regulations, there are some industry codes of practice that can give you extra protection.

Direct Selling Association (DSA) Code of Practice

If the salesperson or organisation you're buying from is a member of the DSA, you normally have a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel your order and get a refund of any money you've paid. Before you take out a credit agreement to finance your purchase though, check whether you would need to cancel within 7 days to ensure that this is also automatically cancelled (see “Your Rights” above).

Also, the seller must show ID and give accurate information about products and services.

Association of Energy Suppliers' (AES) Code of Practice

Since domestic gas and electricity was opened up to competition the energy watchdog has received numerous complaints about the use of high-pressure sales tactics to try and get customers to switch suppliers.

The AES code sets down rules that all energy salespeople must follow when selling 'face-to-face' (for example, in your home or in a shopping centre).

The guidelines say, among other things, that salespeople:

• can call at your home only between 9am and 8pm (unless you ask for a visit outside these times)
• must say who they are and show a valid ID card
• must do their best to make sure you understand any contract you've signed, and your right to cancel
• must not exploit consumers, give them false information or use high-pressure sales tactics
• must leave your home if you ask them to.

In some extreme cases, salespeople have forged people's signatures on energy contracts. If this happens to you, you are entitled to £250 compensation.

If you think that a sales agent has broken the code of practice, contact the energy company in the first instance. For further complaints, or information and advice, contact Consumer Direct.