Query re cooling off periods

pulliptears

Forgive me if details are lacking here...

Just had a call from my mum who tells me that the elderly lady across the road recieved a leaflet through the door last week about walk in baths. She sent off for further details and placed an order for a £4000 bath, sending a £2000 deposit. All done via post I believe.

Now she wants to cancel, but the company says no.

Am I right in thinking that there is no cooling off period here as she sent for the information and can do nothing about this?
Thanks
Jane
x

maninthestreet

You are correct - a leaflet through the door constitutes as advertising, so no 7 day cooling-off period would apply.

pulliptears

Yep thought so. Looks like the old lady may as well continue with the purchase than lose £2000 deposit

Thanks MITS

alwaysonthego_2

try consumer direct who may be able to offer further advise http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

dmg24

Sad when things like this happen. Maybe worth naming and shaming, and even involving the press. Though they have not done anything wrong legally, there are moral issues if it appears an elderly person has been taken advantage of.

maninthestreet

dmg24 wrote: »

Sad when things like this happen. Maybe worth naming and shaming, and even involving the press. Though they have not done anything wrong legally, there are moral issues if it appears an elderly person has been taken advantage of.

From what we have been told, this business was conducted via the post.
No sales person visited this elderly person and pressurised them into buying.
What has the company involved done wrong, either legally or morally?
They received an order in the post, and have acted upon it.

dmg24

maninthestreet wrote: »

From what we have been told, this business was conducted via the post.
No sales person visited this elderly person and pressurised them into buying.
What has the company involved done wrong, either legally or morally?
They received an order in the post, and have acted upon it.

Had you read my post fully, you would note that I commented on the potential moral issues if an elderly person has been taken advantage of. I did not say that the person had been taken advantage of.

gibby

the firms as a goodwill gesture should give a refund - unless a rep has been out & measured the goods to be made and they have been made

a 2 k deposit is pretty steep for goods in advance.

as I used to do double glazing sales (for 6 weeks & I hated it)
I saw alot of little old ladies order full houses of windows and then claim they did not have the money to pay once the goods were in

the firms never used to take em to court for fear of bad publicity

she could walk away with losing onlt the 2k or renegotiate the cost and probaly get it done for the 2k
these firms usually charge many times over what it should cost


G