Doncaster Council

Dealing with doorstep selling

The trading standards service in Doncaster are wanting consumers to be aware of some problems arising from salespersons who visit your home uninvited in order to sell various expensive products. Although many doorstep sellers are honest, some are not, and consumers need to be wary of the variety of ways they try to get into your home and pressure you to buy.

The type of products involved are home improvements such as double glazing, conservatories,exterior wall coating, burglar alarms, roofing work, along with expensive vacuum cleaners. Salespersons have all kinds of ways of trying to obtain access into your home. Once inside, they can be extremely persuasive and often won't go away easily.

Some do's and don'ts for consumers to remember are;

Don't:

• Allow a trader into your home if you feel uneasy about doing so.
• Let the trader push you into a snap decision about buying.
• Allow them to convince you to buy things you don't want.
• Listen to scare stories about the condition of your property.        

Do:

• Fit a security chain on your door.
• Say "no thank you" and close the door if it becomes necessary.
• Consider whether the product is something you want, can afford or really need.        

If the offer seems to good to be true, it probably is!

For more information, there is a new free leaflet available in the council house reception on door step selling.