Doorstep Selling

EDM number 1629 in 2002-03, proposed by Kerry Pollard on 08/09/2003.

That this House condemns the practice of some companies involved in doorstep selling of delivering leaflets to potential customers to avoid consumer protection law; refutes the claim by the Department of Trade and Industry that customers telephoning to enquire about goods and services in response to a leaflet have had ample opportunity to compare prices and quality before a salesperson calls; believes that a cooling off period is essential for all customers to ensure that the elderly and vulnerable are not persuaded to purchase goods they cannot afford; note that legal protection is available to customers when the initial call is made by a salesperson either in person or on the telephone, but not when it is initiated by means of a leaflet; and calls on the Government to strengthen consumer protection law by allowing a cooling off period on sales contracts signed as a result of the customer responding to an unsolicited leaflet.

This motion has been signed by a total of 46 MPs.