Can I return a product bought through a door-to-door sale?

What the Law Says

Federal law provides a 'cooling-off' period for door-to-door sales to protect consumers from high-pressure tactics. While 15 U.S.C. § 45 broadly prohibits unfair or deceptive acts, the specific cancellation right comes from the FTC’s Door-to-Door Sales Rule — issued under the FTC Act’s authority. This rule is codified at 16 C.F.R. Part 429 (not directly quoted here, but authorized by § 45).

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces consumer protections under the FTC Act. Although 15 U.S.C. § 45 itself does not list the three-day cancellation rule, it grants the FTC authority to prohibit 'unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.' The Door-to-Door Sales Rule (16 C.F.R. § 429.1 et seq.) was created under this authority to address deceptive practices common in in-person, off-premises sales.

Under that Rule, if you buy something worth $25 or more in your home, workplace, dormitory, or temporary living space — or at a seller’s temporary location (like a hotel room or fair booth) — you have exactly three business days to cancel the sale. Business days exclude weekends and federal holidays.

To cancel, you must give written notice (letter, email if agreed upon, or FTC's cancellation form) to the seller before midnight of the third business day. The seller must refund your money and return any trade-in within 10 days, and cancel any financing within 20 days.

Statutory Text

Unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, are hereby declared unlawful.

— 15 U.S.C. § 45 — Unfair methods of competition unlawful; prevention by Commission

What to Do

Sources