Your rights regarding direct marketing
Knowing your rights regarding direct marketing can stop you going insane when your phone keeps ringing with someone wanting to sell you anything from cell phones and insurance to services you do not need.
While you could find a real bargain when you answer one of these calls, chances are you will let yourself be talked into a transaction you do not really need or want and have to pay for it for years to come.
The good news is you have rights according to the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) which enable you to stop the calls and cancel any transaction you get talked into.
What is direct marketing?
The CPA defines direct marketing as the process of approaching someone, in person, by mail or electronic communication for the purpose of selling them any goods or services.
Direct marketing must come from a business you have not had contact with.
How does the CPA protect you?
The CPA protects your right to privacy and choice and makes it clear when telesales people can contact you, what you can do to stop being targeted, and how you can cancel a transaction if you give in and buy something offered by a direct marketer.
Section 11
Gives you the right to limit direct marketing by asking marketers to stop contacting you and remove your name from calling lists. It requires the marketer to have appropriate procedures to make this easy. Companies may not charge you to take your name off the list.
Section 12
Telemarketers are not allowed to call you on Sundays and public holidays; they may on weekdays between 8am and 8pm, and between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays, unless you agreed to other times. This regulation also applies to all other kinds of electronic communication.
Section 16
You have a cooling-off period – five working days after the transaction or the product has been delivered, whichever happens first. You do not have to give a reason for the cancellation or pay a fee. The company must refund any money paid within 15 working days.