Doorstep selling legislation needs to be updated to combat the psychological tactics employed by many salespeople says the OFT.
The study into the practice of selling goods and services on the doorstep and in the home, worth at least £2.4bn a year, found that a range of sales tactics and influencing techniques can lead consumers to make inappropriate purchases which they later regret. This highlights a gap in consumer protection. The current legislation gives consumers who are cold-called a 7 day period in which to cancel a contract. This protection does not apply to consumers who asked for the visit. Psychological research commissioned for the study indicates that these consumers are no better prepared to resist these sales tactics. Nearly 40% of consumers have bought goods or services in the home. While 70% of those were satisfied, a significant minority of 30% experienced problems.

Source

Glass Age