Frequently asked questions about cold calling
What is cold calling?
Cold calling is the act of making uninvited visits to a resident's home to sell goods or services.
Is cold calling illegal?
Cold calling is not illegal. However, any trader that ignores a sticker or notice on your door stating that you do not wish to receive cold calls may be committing a criminal offence. Also, any trader that ignores any requests by you to leave and not return is committing a criminal offence.
Anyone who does cold call and offers to sell you goods or services that cost more than £42 must provide you with a written notice giving you 14 days to cancel the agreement. Anyone who fails to give this notice will also be committing a criminal offence, which Trading Standards can investigate.
Should I buy from cold callers?
We believe residents have a right to choose whether or not they wish to deal with cold callers. By displaying a sticker or sign on your door, you should be able to expect your wishes to be respected.
Our advice is never to deal with cold callers. Cold calling is a favourite method of rogue traders whose only aim is to get as much money from their victims as possible. Even if you avoid dealing with rogue traders, those who cold call will usually be persuasive and often catch you when you least expect it and your guard is down. It is difficult to make the right buying decision on your doorstep.
How can I prevent cold calling traders from calling at my home?
Coventry Trading Standards' stickers are designed to make it clear to any would-be cold callers that they are not welcome and we hope that most traders will respect your wishes and the sticker. However, we do not guarantee that by displaying a sticker you will not receive visits from any cold calling traders.
If traders do ignore your sticker please do let us know and use our template letter to send to the trader, if you have an address for them, to ask them not to call at your home again. We will use the information from you to build up intelligence and identify the worst offenders who we may be able to take action against. We cannot reply to every request but in the case of an emergency, particularly where a trader is on the scene or a suspected rogue trader is expected to return at a particular time, we will try to get officers out to you.
Can I refuse someone entry to my home?
Yes, absolutely. You do not have to allow anyone to enter your home and can refuse. You should never allow anyone into your home unless you are able to make sure they are who they say they are and that they have a reason to be there. Honest callers will not mind being challenged.
How can I check whether a caller is genuine and has a legitimate reason for calling at my home?
Very few people will actually have a reason for turning up at your home unannounced and without an appointment. However, on rare occasions some honest callers may make unannounced home visits.
The most likely people to visit your home unannounced are utility companies attending to read a meter. Most of these companies operate a password scheme allowing you to register a password. Once you have registered your password, any caller from the company should be asked to provide the password before being allowed in. You should be able to find the details for registering a password on your utility bills, or by calling their customer service teams.
Do you need a licence to cold call?
You do not need a licence to cold call. However, if you are selling goods door to door you will require a Pedlar's Licence. Pedlar's Licences have to be given out by the Police. Each individual caller must have a Pedlar's Licence and not just the employer.
Anyone who cold calls offering services, like home maintenance work, does not need a Pedlar's Licence.
A Pedlar's Licence is not a guarantee that they will act lawfully and it does not allow them to call at your home against your wishes.
Can politicians/market researchers/religious groups call?
Our stickers are not designed to prevent politicians from canvassing for elections, religious groups or market researchers. However, residents do not have speak to anyone at the door.
Can charity collectors call?
The stickers are not aimed at stopping genuine charity collections, however, we would expect charity collectors be able to show identification.
Some charities ask for donations to be left for collection, using a bag or leaflet. If you get requests like this you should always read the details provided as not all collectors that act in this way are acting for charitable purposes. Often you will find that the collector is a business collecting items to sell for profit and they will include a company registration number on their paperwork as opposed to a charity registration number.
All charities have to be registered with the Charity Commission. To check whether an organisation is a registered charity you should contact the Charity Commission.
Any charity carrying out collections for money has to get a permit giving permission for this. If you want to confirm that the charity collection is authorised you can contact the Licensing Team.
What should I do if I receive a cold call?
Trading Standards recommend residents always say no to cold callers. We are always keen to be contacted by anyone who receives a cold call. Officers may be able to respond to incidents of cold calling by rogue traders, to help the victim, and disrupt and take action against the cold caller. Even if the cold caller has gone away, get in touch, we are always keen to have information about what happened.