Unsolicited & Unordered Merchandise
For consumers who receive unordered merchandise from companies in the mail, the Better Business Bureau advises that you send a certified letter to the sender requesting proof of the order. If no proof is provided, then notify the sender that you will be keeping the merchandise as a gift.
The Bureau advises that you DO NOT have to pay for unordered merchandise. Another technique used by some sellers is negative option marketing, where unsolicited services or products are provided unless the consumer informs the seller he/she doesn't want the service or product. This form of marketing is common to book club memberships.
Provincial legislation requires businesses to fully disclose the type and price of a new service and obtain the consumer's permission before demanding payment for an unsolicited service. The legislation relieves consumers of any liability to pay unless they specifically agree to purchase the services offered through a negative option. The responsibility is put back on the business to obtain the consumer's permission.
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