Door to door salespeople who ignore ‘Do Not Knock’ stickers on homes may face prosecution, Consumer Protection has warned.

The agency has received several reports from Perth consumers claiming that they were visited by door to door traders despite having a ‘Do Not Knock’ sticker displayed.

The Federal Court has previously ruled that the sticker conveyed a clear and unambiguous request for a salesperson to leave without knocking on the consumer’s door.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said, under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), salespeople must leave immediately when asked to by the resident or by the consumer they are selling to on the doorstep.

“The Court ruled that displaying the sticker was akin to requesting the salesperson to leave the premises and, if they persist, they will be in breach of the ACL,” Mr Hillyard said.

“Companies that employ door to door salespeople must educate them to understand that they can’t knock on the door if there is a sticker or sign displayed or both the company and individual involved will be liable to prosecution.

“Consumers who don’t want to be disturbed by travelling salespeople are encouraged to get a free sticker from Consumer Protection and display it in a prominent place such as on your front door or near the doorbell.

“This is particularly important for people who may feel uncomfortable asking a person who is already on their doorstep to leave including those who don’t speak English as a first language.

“These stickers do not prevent people knocking at your door seeking donations for licensed charities or to promote religion, but they should deter people from selling goods and services.”

A salesperson must not visit you on a Sunday or a public holiday, before 9 am or after 6 pm on a weekday or before 9 am or after 5 pm on a Saturday. However, a salesperson may visit you at any time with your consent.

Consumers can request a ‘Do Not Knock’ sticker by sending an email request to consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au with their full postal address or by calling 1300 30 40 54.

If a consumer does have a “Do Not Knock” sticker, and where a salesperson still knocks at their door, then this can be reported to Consumer Protection.

More information concerning unsolicited consumer agreements can be found at: https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/unsolicited-agreements.

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / alan.hynd@dmirs.wa.gov.au  

Do Not Knock sticker