People have been asking for it and now it's happening.
A new provincial law is coming into effect March 1st to better protect consumers. It will put a stop to some unsolicited door-to-door sales.
The new law means businesses selling certain household appliances will only be able to sign a contract in a consumer's home if the consumer has contacted them ahead of time and invited them there.
Tracy MacCharles is the Minister of Government and Consumer Services in Ontario.
“The steps are necessary, when you consider the government has received more than 4,000 complaints and inquiries about door-to-door sales and rental agreements from 2016 to 2017. And I know the water heater complaints have continued to rise significantly as well.” said Minister MacCharles.
This law will apply to door-to-door sales of many water and air appliances, as well as furnaces. It also includes bundles of these goods and services.
CTV News asked consumers for reaction to the new law and this is what they had to say:
“I think it's a brilliant idea, to be honest. A lot of people are ignoring everybody going to their door now. Myself and my husband, we don't even answer our door anymore because you don't know who to trust.” said one woman.
“It's annoying, you know, when people come knocking at your door and you are busy and you don't have time and they force you to keep buying.”
“They can be very aggressive, which is not right.”
Aaron Savard says he recently helped an elderly friend who came close to falling victim to high pressure sales tactics.
“This particular person threatened them and wanted to know how much money they had in RRSP's. How much money they had in the bank, and ‘your gonna do this job because we are gonna contact the Ministry and have your house shut down because you have so much mould in it.’ People are just pushing people around and they are scared.” said Savard.
The province says door-to-door contracts have been among the top complaints received by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
