Word to the Wise: Three-day Cooling-Off Rule explained to cancel unwanted purchases

“A salesman came to my house selling magazines, and I signed up for a long-term subscription that I really do not want or need just to get him to leave. Can I cancel the subscription?”

Better Business Bureaus often hear questions like this from consumers who are not sure of their rights regarding cancelling purchases. Under the Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule, consumers have three business days to cancel any purchase of $25 or more that was made in the consumer’s home or $130 or more for products sold somewhere other than the seller’s usual place of business, such as a rented hotel room, conference center or restaurant. The Cooling-Off Rule also provides protection for consumers who purchase items at a product party given in a private home.

The Cooling-Off Rule DOES NOT apply to: sales made at the seller’s usual place of business; sales made totally by mail or phone; sales for real estate, insurance or securities and sales for emergency home repairs. The rule also doesn’t apply to sales that begin as retail transactions at a business establishment and are completed with the signing of a contract in the consumer’s home or vehicles sold at off-site tent sales.

In cases where the rule does apply, the seller must give the consumer proper cancellation forms along with any contract or receipt pertaining to the sale. The date of the sale should be noted on the cancellation form, which must read in part: “You may cancel this transaction without any penalty or obligation within three business days from the above date.”

Consumers who decide to cancel the sale should sign and date the cancellation forms and mail or deliver a copy to the address given for cancellation any time before midnight of the third business day after the date of the contract. Since proof of date is important, the cancellation form should be sent by certified mail with a return receipt requested. There is no need to give a reason for cancellation. You are allowed to simply change your mind.

To avoid having to cancel a purchase, the BBB advises consumers to check the BBB business review of any company prior to signing a contract; get bids from three different companies; completely read and understand a contract before signing it; never sign a blank contract and never allow a salesperson to pressure them into making a quick decision.

For more information on this rule, visit www.ftc.gov, and for more tips visit bbb.org.

Kelvin Collins is president/CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia and the CSRA Inc., serving 41 counties in Middle Georgia and the Central Savannah River area. This tips column is provided through the local BBB and the Council of Better Business Bureaus. Questions or complaints about a specific company or charity should be referred directly to the BBB at 478-742-7999, www.bbb.org or by emailing info@centralgeorgia.bbb.org.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 9:37 PM with the headline "Word to the Wise: Three-day Cooling-Off Rule explained to cancel unwanted purchases ."