Off-premises purchases

Have you been approached on the street, on your doorstep or in the workplace by a salesperson trying to sell you something? Or did you sign an order form on holiday – during a so-called ‘free’ outing? In that case, you entered into ‘an agreement not made within retail premises’.

The European Union has introduced regulations governing these types of trade practices to protect you from the ‘surprise element’ and any pressure exerted by sellers.

To prevent nasty surprises, ECC Belgium has formulated a few questions you should ask yourself when buying something on the street or at your home.

1. Which agreements are categorised as ‘off-premise purchases’?
2. What should I be wary of when receiving a commercial proposal on the street, on your doorstep or at home?
3. How do I react when there is a problem with the delivery?
4. What can I do if my order is damaged?
5. What can I do if I regret my purchase?
6. How do I cancel a subscription?