Cancellation Rights

Consumers have been given extra rights under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 which came into force on the 13th of June 2014.

For most off premises contracts, the new cooling off period for consumers to change their minds when buying from home will now be 14 days rather than the previous 7 days.

What Counts As Off-premises?

An off-premises sale is where you buy something, or sign up to something, in a place which is not trade premises, for example in your home or in the street. When you buy in this way, you may have a right to cancel the contract if you change your mind

A sale will count as off-premises if it happens away from the trader's business premises. This includes:

• in your home
• at your workplace,
• in someone else's home – for example, at a jewellery or linen party.

If you make an appointment over the phone for someone to call at your home or workplace and then sign up for something when they visit, this is an off-premises sale.

If you buy something in an off-premises sale that costs more than £42, the trader must give you

• a cancellation form
• specific information  about your right to cancel.

There are exemptions to these rights, and more information can be found at Citizens Advice Scotland (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) or 
by calling  the advice line on 0808 164 6000 or
CNES Trading Standards  on 01851 822694.