The Consumer Law Won’t Protect You Anymore If Businesses Sell You Stuff At Your House

By
Venkataraman Gunasellan
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As consumers, do you know that we have rights that protect us?

Yes, there are laws that help protect us from unethical business practices and shady business owners.

Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA)

The CPFTA took effect on 1 March 2004 and it has been protecting people who have fallen prey to unjust traders.

Over the years, it has been amended to protect consumers and traders.

Lemon Law

So this law is more pertinent as it protects consumers from defective goods, i.e. a dress with holes, a malfunctioning house fan and a music player that emits no sound.

Under this law, consumers may require the business to repair, replace, reduce the price of the goods or perform a refund if the goods are defective—only applicable for defects that occurred within a period of six months from the date of purchase or delivery.

Now, what about those businesses that occur under your roof?

According to latest data by Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), 30% of 117 complaints about door-to-door sales over the past three years involved consumers who allowed businesses to make home visits, Straits Times reported.

These businesses can either be promoting their goods or services.

According to Case, under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Cancellation of Contracts) Regulations 2009, consumers have the right to cancel a direct sales contract within five days of signing the contract—only if the visit was unsolicited.

So, if you have accepted requests from business to visit their homes prior, you won’t be protected under the law, as this would count as a solicited visit.

What about consumers who online shop?

Especially if the item you received does not match the seller’s description?

Well, you could email them back but what if no one gets back to you?

CPFTA’s protection extends to consumers who have made their purchases online.

If you have unsolved disputes

You can always approach Case and you can also read this brochure, giving you more information on your rights as a consumer.

Since you’re here, why not watch a video about a guy who lodged a Police report here in Singapore because he was friendzoned? Seriously. Here, watch it and do remember to share it (and also subscribe to Goody Feed YouTube channel)!

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com

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Venkataraman Gunasellan
Email: [email protected]