Cold call control zones

Dealing with traders

Changing your mind

If you agree to work being done with a value of £42 or over but change your mind, you usually have 14 days to cancel the agreement and get your money back.

You must give the trader written confirmation that you wish to cancel and you should keep a copy of this notice for your own records

A trader is required by law to provide you with written information regarding your cancellation rights, as well as other information such as the details of the agreed work, their address and contact details. 

If you are not given the information on your right to cancel or it isn’t provided clearly, the trader can’t hold you to anything in the contract and you don’t have to pay anything.

Even if you feel confident in dealing with rogue doorstep traders, you must report traders calling on you to Trading Standards. This protects vulnerable neighbours and helps to make your community safer.

If you are concerned for a neighbour, friend or relative, look out for the following signs, they may be being victimised by a rogue doorstep trader:

Strange vans or utility vehicles in the person’s driveway

• Person receiving visits from unfamiliar people
• Person seems hostile, withdrawn, upset and subdued
• Noticeable work been done on person’s property
• Paperwork for home improvements lying around
• Person withdrawing large sums of money from the bank or leaving money or bank books lying around

You can also help neighbours by:

• Encouraging the person to report any unexpected traders to both Trading Standards and Police Scotland by phoning 101
• Encouraging the person to contact regular callers such as gas or electricity companies to see if it is possible to set up a password. By doing this they will be able to identify whether a caller is genuine
• Advising them to have a peep hole and door chain fitted
• Discouraging the person from keeping large sums of money in their home. Warn them against accepting a lift to the bank or cash machine under any circumstances
• Speak to their local Councillor, Community Council or other community group about the possibility of establishing a zone in their area