In a March news item, we warned you about a small group of companies selling over-priced vacuum cleaners door-to-door.
Our investigation uncovered several consumers who'd been stung by the sales techniques used by Clean Air Systems Limited (Napier) and Healthy Air Products Limited (Christchurch).
Fighting back
Eighty-one-year-old Kay Caradus - one of the consumers who appeared in our article - decided to take her case against David Lord (owner of Clean Air Systems Limited) to the Disputes Tribunal.
Kay felt that she'd been pressured into buying a $3350 vacuum cleaner during a two-hour demonstration, and her attempts to return the over-priced vacuum cleaner had been refused.
But a week before the Tribunal hearing, Kay received a call from Mr Lord: "He told me that he'd returned the $3350 to my bank account. I checked with the bank: it confirmed that the money had been paid in."
Kay wasn't finished with Clean Air Systems Limited, though. As part of the "sale", she'd traded in her old vacuum cleaner (worth $400). But Mr Lord hadn't returned Kay's old vacuum cleaner or reimbursed her for the loss: "... so I was now stuck without a vacuum cleaner."
Kay decided to go ahead with the Disputes Tribunal as planned. She wanted her old vacuum cleaner back or - failing that - $400 compensation: "I went to the Tribunal on 8 April and the adjudicator found in my favour. A few days later, I got a letter from the Justice Department confirming that Mr Lord must either return the vacuum cleaner or pay $400." David Lord didn't show up at the hearing.
Kay points out that people can get their money back if they've been misled by a dodgy salesperson: "It's just a matter of taking the right steps."
Door-to-door sales act
Meanwhile, our own steps to strengthen the Door to Door Sales Act are underway. Last month we sent a letter to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs highlighting our concerns.
Currently the Act says that consumers have a mandatory 7-day cooling-off period for credit purchases provided they haven't paid by credit card or cash.
We think that all forms of payment should be covered - and the cooling-off period should be 14 days.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs tells us it plans to review the Act this year. Until then, the Ministry's General Manager Liz MacPherson points out that the Door to Door Sales Act works together with other Acts, including the Consumer Guarantees Act, the Fair Trading Act and the Contractual Remedies Act.
So there are other forms of redress if a dodgy salesperson knocks on your door.
More from consumer.org.nz
- Hard-sell vacuum cleaners (News 10-Mar-2008)
- Returns and refunds- all about your rights
- Vacuum cleaners- buying checklist and test results
- $3000+ vacuum cleaner worst in test - we tested an Envirotect vacuum cleaner
Member Comments
Got a question or comment on this topic? Share your views and experiences with other Consumer members...
To add a comment you need to be a member of consumer.org.nz. Login or Join.
Read what our members have to say close
To save money on essentials and make buying decisions easy, you can't go past Consumer. We're proud to have over 65,000 members all enjoying our independent information online or in Consumer magazine.
Here's what some of them say...
"Just wanted to let you know that I find your site excellent! Easy to find my way around, everything at my fingertips - just a click away.
I only took out a 3 month membership as I wasn't sure but it is actually really easy to use and if I want it on paper I can print the
reports. Thanks again".
Denise Watkinson - Waitakere
"My mother (74) got a renewal letter from her insurance company for her car insurance, wanting $570. After reading
your article on car insurance, I contacted one of the companies you recommended, who quoted her $318 for the same
level of cover. I just wanted to stay thank you very much for your article, as it has saved my mother a substantial amount of money".
Adrian Lane - Kapiti Coast
"I've been a member to the magazine since 1997 and enjoy reading it a lot. I've found lots of helpful information on different issues...
Thank you for being so helpful".
Peter Kovalenko - Porirua
"I have been a member of the Consumer NZ for 20 or more years and have enjoyed much reliable advice.
I turn to their tests before making significant purchases".
Lyndal Print – Auckland
Join Consumer now and make your decisions easy on a huge range of products and services
- Over 500 reports, plus interactive tools and calculators
- Independent advice from NZ's trusted source of information
- Join over 65,000 members who help us get all NZers a fairer deal
from just $28
HI,
I have a quote for a HRV system and, silly me, I signed the quote and gave my credit card details and already - with a couple of days, they have charged my credit card 10%. the work was subject to the company sending a person to check that this sytem would suit out type of house and this is happening today. However, the peson coming is the franchisee so for sure, he'll recommend it. We are not convinced and would like to change our mind. Plus, our existing heating is broken and we need money to fix this. My question is: Is there a 7 day cooling off period wherein we can change our mind a request our deposit back?
Thank you.