Unsolicited in-home sales can be cancelled
Even though you signed a contract and paid for an item or service that you purchased from a door-to-door salesperson, you have three full business days to reconsider the purchase, if the price was $25 or greater.
The Illinois Consumer Fraud Act states that a person has the right to cancel a contract which was signed when a salesperson visited your home.
According to the law, a buyer can cancel the order whether the purchase was paid for in cash or will be paid for in installments.
Other aspects of the "right to change your mind" stated in the Act are as follows:
- The three-day grace period applies only when the sale resulted from a salesperson's visit to your home without your having contacted him or her.
- You must be advised in advance of the right to cancel. The seller must give you a written Notice of Cancellation, stating that you may cancel the sale within three days and explaining how and where to cancel. The three-day cancellation period does not start until the written Notice of Cancellation is furnished to the buyer.
- If you cancel your purchase, you must return the Notice of Cancellation to the seller, who in turn, is obligated to return your money.
- You must be prepared to return the goods in their original condition.
By establishing this law, the state of Illinois recognized that some people are susceptible to a good sales pitch but later regret their decision.
If you believe you are a victim of fraud, report it to the Better Business Bureau or the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, or contact a lawyer.
To avoid a fraudulent situation, ask and expect the salesperson to give you adequate time to make a decision.
Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.
© Illinois State Bar Association
If you have questions about the application of the law in a particular case, consult your lawyer. The law is constantly changing. Information on this site or any site to which we link does not constitute legal advice.