A salesman came to my house on Thursday and I signed up for a $1,400 water softener package. I've had second thoughts since. He didn't really mention anything about cancelling, and I'm not sure the paperwork had a cancellation form. Can I cancel a door-to-door sale, how many days do I have, and what exactly do I need to do?
Can I cancel a door-to-door sale? The FTC Cooling-Off Rule
Concerns & risks
You signed a $1,400 home sales contract on Thursday and now want out, but you're unsure whether you were given cancellation paperwork.
| Sale | Cooling-Off Rule? |
|---|---|
| $1,400 home sales visit | Covered |
| $150 at a hotel-room sales event | Covered |
| Online order | Not covered |
| Phone or mail order | Not covered |
| Insurance or real estate | Not covered |
| Emergency repair you requested | Generally not covered |
Causes & evidence
The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel certain sales made at your home, or at a seller's temporary location such as a hotel room, convention center or fairground, until midnight of the third business day after the sale. It covers sales of $25 or more at your home and $130 or more at temporary locations. For this rule, business days include Saturdays but not Sundays or federal holidays. The seller must tell you about your right to cancel at the time of sale and give you two copies of a cancellation form plus a copy of the contract or receipt. If you cancel, the seller must refund you within 10 days. The rule does not cover sales made entirely online, by mail or by phone, real estate, insurance, securities, or certain emergency home repairs you requested.
Edge cases: some states have their own cancellation rules that may give more time or cover more sales. If the seller didn't give the required notice, the time to cancel may not have started. Goods you received should be made available for pickup; if the seller doesn't collect within 20 days, the FTC says you may keep them.
Calling the seller to cancel instead of sending the written form leaves you with no proof of when you cancelled, which is the whole point of the deadline.
What to do
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Midnight of the 3rd business day after sale |
| Business days | Include Saturday; exclude Sunday and federal holidays |
| Home sales covered | $25 or more |
| Temporary-location sales covered | $130 or more |
| Seller must give you | Notice of right to cancel and 2 cancellation forms |
| Refund timing | Within 10 days of cancellation |
- Count three business days from the sale date: a Thursday sale runs through Friday, Saturday and Monday, ending at midnight Monday unless a federal holiday intervenes.
- Find the cancellation form; if you weren't given one, write a dated letter saying you are cancelling the contract.
- Send it by certified mail with return receipt, or hand-deliver and get a signed acknowledgment, before the deadline.
- Keep copies of the contract, letter and mailing receipt.
- Make any goods available for pickup in the same condition, as the rule allows.
- If no refund arrives within 10 days, report it to the FTC and your state attorney general.
Common mistakes:
- Cancelling only by phone
- Counting Sunday as a business day
- Letting installers start work before you decide
- Assuming the rule covers online orders
ReportSpeedMan tip: If the seller never gave you a cancellation notice, the three-day clock may not have properly started; note that in your complaint and keep everything in writing.
What I would actually do
I'd send the cancellation by certified mail today, keep the receipt, and politely tell the installer not to start. If the seller called to argue, I'd point to the written notice.
The trade-off people miss: an in-home salesperson often offers a 'today only' discount, but the rule exists because high-pressure home sales are hard to compare on the spot. Losing the discount usually costs less than a regretted contract.
How to tell it worked
You have a certified mail receipt dated before the deadline and a refund within 10 days.
Quick FAQ
Do Saturdays count?
Yes, Saturdays count as business days.
Does it cover online orders?
No.
How fast is the refund?
Within 10 days after cancellation.
Wrap-up: Door-to-door sales of $25 or more can usually be cancelled until midnight of the third business day. Cancel in writing with proof of mailing and expect a refund within 10 days.
Wiki: Robocalls and the Do Not Call Registry and Credit Card Interest and APR.
Can I cancel a door-to-door sale: official pages behind this answer
Step-by-step photos
1. Before The problem 
2. Why it happens The cause 
3. The fix The fix 
4. After The result
⚡ Speed Summary
- Door-to-door sales of $25 or more can usually be cancelled until midnight of the third business day.
- If the seller never gave you a cancellation notice, the three-day clock may not have properly started; note that in your complaint and keep everything in writing.
- Calling the seller to cancel instead of sending the written form leaves you with no proof of when you cancelled, which is the whole point of the deadline.
Was this answer helpful?
Tap a star to rate this answer.
Related questions
Found an error on my credit report? How to dispute it step by step
Dispute with each bureau and the furnisher, include proof, and expect results in about 30 days.
Rate itSolved
How do I check my Social Security earnings record and fix a mistake?
Check your Statement every year, match it to your W-2s, and correct gaps with proof before the usual window closes.
Rate itSolved
How long should I keep tax records? The IRS 3-, 6- and 7-year rules
Three years covers most returns; six, seven or forever apply in specific cases.
Rate itSolved
What happens if I only pay the minimum on my credit card?
Minimum payments keep you current but stretch the debt for years.
Rate itSolved
Real experiences
No experiences yet. Be the first to share.