Zoeller
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced a lawsuit on Friday against an Allen County door-to-door meat sales company for allegedly failing to honor the three-day cancellation window allowed under state law.
Country Choice Inc. sold frozen meat products ranging in price from $373 to $399 to four Indiana consumers, but the consumers were allegedly unable to cancel their purchases within the three-day period specified in Indiana door-to-door sales laws.
"Door-to-door sales can put consumers in high pressure situations and lead to buyers' remorse after the transaction," Zoeller said. "While a sale is typically considered final immediately the law provides an exception for those sales occurring in your home.
"It's important for consumers to know and understand their rights before answering the knock at the door. This lawsuit highlights our efforts to stop unscrupulous businesses that intentionally disregard the law to rip off their customers."
Indiana law requires door-to-door sales companies to give customers two copies of their cancellation rights and give them the deadline by which they can cancel. Consumers are allowed to cancel if they give written notice by mail or in person within three days of the purchase. Sellers must return any customer payment within 10 business days of getting the notice of cancellation.
The Michigan-based Country Choice allegedly violated the Home Solicitation Sales Act, the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act and a 2009 settlement with Zoeller's office. The state is seeking attorney costs, civil penalties and restitution for consumers.