The Greater Sudbury Police Service and City of Greater Sudbury By-law continue to receive calls about extremely aggressive door-to-door salespersons, representing different companies. Some offer to check the status of your furnace or air conditioner, with the intentions of changing parts and / or getting homeowners to agree to a long-term rental agreement which ends up being costly over time.
High pressure tactics include:
Advising that they work for the City or contracted by the City, and that you are required to let them into your homes.
They will continue to come back until you let them in.
They insist on seeing your last heating bill.
That you will be reported if you do not let them in.
That there are new building codes and the furnace has to be changed.
None of this is true! You are well within your rights to refuse them entry and to tell them to leave your property immediately. If they fail to leave, they can be charged with trespassing.
Residents are reminded to be vigilant with people going door-to-door offering any type of service or sales and claiming to represent a particular company. When any salesperson does a cold call at your residence, always ask for credentials of the company and identification from the salesperson. Be mindful that some of them will look professional and are very convincing.
Unless you have called for a specific service provider, feel free to tell the individuals you are not interested in the services they are offering. You are also encouraged to call police when you observe suspicious activity in your neighbourhood.
The requirements of door-to-door salespeople are as follows:
- Sales people have to have a photo ID license from the City to conduct door-to-door sales of anything.
- Licensed door-to-door salespeople are required to obtain a Police Clearance to conduct business and cannot be operating before 8 am or after 9 pm.
- Ask salespeople for their full company name, location and phone number. Ask them to leave a copy of the sales contract and any other product or warranty information for you to review carefully on your own – do not feel pressured to agree to a service or to sign any document.
- If you find someone conducting door-to-door sales without a license, call 3-1-1 and ask for the By-law Department or the Licensing Officer.
- If you are not interested in hearing a sales presentation or purchasing an item, request that the salesperson leave your property and record your address on their “do not solicit” list. If the salesperson refuses to leave your property, call the police immediately.
- The fine for conviction of the offence of conducting door-to-door sales without a license can be up to a maximum of $5,000 (By-law 2004-350)
A license is not required for people going door to door asking for charitable donations.