The government has announced the door-to-door salespeople ignoring Do Not Knock stickers will be liable for prosecution under the Fair Trading Act.
Consumer New Zealand has been campaigning for this law change since 2014. Chief executive Sue Chetwin said the changes were welcome, and gave consumers extra protection. “The message to door-to-door traders is clear,” she said. “If they ignore a ‘Do Not Knock’ sticker and come on to your property, they’ll end up in court.”
The Commerce Commission has received a disproportionately large number of complaints about door knockers employing high-pressure sales techniques, particularly to the elderly or other vulnerable consumers.
In addition to the door-knocking law change, the government has also introduced an interest cap rate for high-cost loans, and strengthened responsible lending requirements. Lenders will now face civil penalties of $600,000 for breaches of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
“These changes will provide better protection for consumers from irresponsible lending practices that resulted in people getting into unnecessary debt,” said Chetwin.
To receive a Do Not Knock sticker for your property, visit consumer.org.nz.
