Can I cancel a door-to-door sale within three days in New York?

What the Law Says

New York law gives consumers a 'cooling-off' period for certain in-home sales — commonly called door-to-door sales — to protect against high-pressure tactics.

This right applies to any sale of goods or services worth $25 or more that is made anywhere other than the seller’s permanent place of business — for example, at your home, workplace, or a hotel room.

The seller must give you two copies of a completed 'Notice of Cancellation' form at the time of sale. One copy is for you to keep; the other is pre-addressed and stamped for you to mail back if you cancel.

You must cancel in writing — either by mailing the form or delivering it in person — within three business days after the date of the sale. Weekends and legal holidays don’t count unless the seller is open for business on those days.

Once you cancel, the seller must refund all money within 10 business days and pick up any goods delivered (or reimburse you for return shipping) within 20 business days.

Statutory Text

Any contract for the sale of consumer goods or services in an amount of twenty-five dollars or more, made at a place other than the seller’s permanent place of business, may be cancelled by the buyer until midnight of the third business day after the making of the contract.

— General Business Law, s. 601 — Door-to-door sales; cancellation rights

Statutory Text

The seller shall provide the buyer with two copies of a completed notice of cancellation form… one copy of which shall be pre-addressed and postage prepaid for return to the seller.

— General Business Law, s. 602 — Door-to-door sales; notice of cancellation

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