Case Study - The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
Here is an example of how this piece of legislation can be used in practice:
Mrs S is approached by a salesman at her home who is selling conservatories. Mrs S has never considered buying a conservatory and does not have the available funds to purchase one. The salesman is very persistent and explains that Mrs S can enter into a finance plan to make easy affordable payments. Mrs S begins to feel increasingly uncomfortable with the salesman's presence in her home. Despite Mrs S intimating that she does not wish to purchase the conservatory the salesman will not leave her home and keeps providing more information on the conservatory and becomes increasingly agitated when Mrs S, again, tries to politely refuse.
Eventually Mrs S agrees to purchase the conservatory and signs a credit agreement for the finance plan. Mrs S is visited later that week by her carer who helps her with the heavier domestic chores in her house. Mrs S explains that she has purchased a conservatory and signed a contract but at the time felt pressured into the purchase and is now having second thoughts. The carer has recently completed her Friends training and advises Mrs S to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline for help and advice. Consequently, Mrs S contacts the helpline to explain her concerns and is advised that she can cancel the contract as it was signed "off premises" and within 14 days of being signed. The adviser also explains that they have concerns about the salesman’s behaviour and will pass these details onto the local trading standards service. The carer supports Mrs S to cancel the contract.