Tricked by a Salesman

ps124

Hi,

I walked into a B&Q store on Saturday where there was a lady who was selling double glazing and door services for a supposedly reputable company, with a 40% discount on offer. Obviously I didn't think much about the 40% but still listened to what she had to say as I was looking for a new door.

She arranged a no-obligation, free of charge quotation home visit.

The salesman came round, did the measurements, and provided me with a quotation. I was reluctantly from the offset but my wife was keen. Anyway, to vut a long story short, the salesman suggested I could pay a refundable 10% deposit, no obligation to hold the price. Don;t know what came over me (maybe I wanted him out so I could watch the football in peace) I agreed seeing as I could cancel.

Spoke to my wife and searched the internet and their prices and completely over the top. So I called today requesting for my cheque not to be deposited and for my order to be cancelled.

They seemed surprised that I was told I could cancel?!?! Which worries me. Apparently the European law has changed or something that I now am obliged to see out the order. I can't believe this to be true but can someone please help me here? I'm reluctant to incur a bank cancellation charge to cancel my cheque but ill do it if I have to but I can't believe this to be true. Surely I could threaten them with a trading standards complaint etc?

I have definately been lied to and mis-sold. Please help.

Cyberman60

I'd get that cheque cancelled pretty quickly.

ps124

Are you serious cyberman?

I could do it tomorrow but I don't see why I should have to incur the charge to do it. I mean I only gave it to him yesterday and I called them this morning to cancel.

This can't be right can it?

JReacher1

I wouldn't just cancel the cheque.

I think if you pay for something by cheque and then cancel it you may still be eligible to pay the money. Cancelling a cheque doesn't cancel the contract.

frugal_mike

Do the Consumer Contracts Regulations not apply here? The contract was formed in the home.

I'm not quite sure whether you paid b&q though, or if this was a separate company.

halibut2209

I'm not sure if the CCR apply if it's a pre-arranged visit.

ps124

No it was a separate company called Crystal Glazing. I didn't read the small print. The salesman had the page open the whole time. Rookie mistake by me but i trusted him as they were a reputable company. He clearly stated to me I could cancel and that there would be a cooling off period. Having looked at the contract now, its like they are binding me to it.

bod1467

As far as I am aware, a pre-arranged visit does NOT change the fact that the doorstep selling regulations (or whatever they are called these days) still apply - i.e. OP can still cancel the contract.

ps124

Hi, I just read the terms and conditions and it doesn't say anything abotu being able to cancel the contract if I change my mind.

I've just been completely lied to. What do I do?

frugal_mike

ps124, it sounds to me like you have the right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. You need to right to them asap (within 2 weeks from when the contract formed) and tell them you wish to cancel.

frugal_mike

bod1467 wrote: »

As far as I am aware, a pre-arranged visit does NOT change the fact that the doorstep selling regulations (or whatever they are called these days) still apply - i.e. OP can still cancel the contract.

And given it was a company with a stall in B&Q it would probably count as an off-premises contract anyway. I'd have to double check the regulations to be sure though.