cooling-off rule (2024)

Cooling-off Rule is a rule that allows you to cancel a contract within a few days (usually three days) after signing it. As explained by the Federal Trade Commission(FTC), the federal cooling-off rules gives the consumer three days to cancel certain sales for a full refund. The seller is required by law to inform the buyer at the time of the sale about their right to cancel and to provide the buyer with a copy of the sales contract and two copies of the cancellation form. The right to cancel lasts until the midnight of the third business day after the sale.

The FTC’s cooling off rule applies to sale, lease, or rental of consumer goods and services having a value of at least $25, made anywhere other than the seller’s normal place of business. This rule includes sales made at trade shows, conventions and applies even when a salesperson makes a presentation in your home.

However, it does not apply to sales that are made entirely online, via mail, or telephone. Additionally, this rule does not apply to insurance, securities, art/crafts sold at fairs, and automobiles sold directly at temporary locations such as auto shows.

Similarly, many states have laws regarding cooling-off rules. The laws in most states resemble the federal rules mentioned above, while some states have broader rules. For example, Ohio allows cooling-off periods for sales of business opportunity plans and hearing aids in addition to the consumer goods and services covered under the federal cooling-off rule.

[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]

cooling-off rule (2024)

FAQs

What does the Cooling-Off Rule allow you to _____? ›

Cooling-off Rule is a rule that allows you to cancel a contract within a few days (usually three days) after signing it. As explained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the federal cooling-off rules gives the consumer three days to cancel certain sales for a full refund.

What are exceptions to the Cooling-Off Rule? ›

At this point it is yours. The only exceptions to the “no cooling off period” are dealer fraud, or if the dealer has delivered the vehicle on a “subject to lenders credit approval” conditional sale, and it later turns out that the dealer cannot secure the necessary financing to complete the sale.

What are some facts about the FTC Cooling-Off Rule? ›

The Cooling-Off Rule:

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) Cooling-Off Rule gives you three days to cancel purchases of $25 or more. Under the Cooling-Off Rule, your right to cancel for a full refund extends until midnight of the third business day after the sale.

What is the cooling-off period of a statement? ›

What is a cooling off period? During a cooling off period, a buyer can withdraw from a property contract of sale without any legal repercussions even after they've signed it. Cooling off periods are only available for property sales by private treaty and can vary between states and territories.

What is cooling-off right? ›

In consumer rights legislation and practice, a cooling-off period is a period of time following a purchase when the purchaser may choose to cancel a purchase, and return goods which have been supplied, for any reason, and obtain a full refund.

What is a cooling-off period example? ›

noun. The law requires a cooling-off period between the time a gun is purchased and when it may be possessed. The workers have agreed to a 30-day cooling-off period before they strike. Once you sign the contract, you have a 14-day cooling-off period within which to change your mind.

What happens if I change my mind after signing a contract? ›

The General Rule: Contracts Are Effective When Signed

Unless a contract contains a specific rescission clause that grants the right for a party to cancel the contract within a certain amount of time, a party cannot back out of a contract once they have agreed and signed it.

What is cancelled during the cooling-off period? ›

You might be legally entitled to cancel the contract without a fee if either: you signed up less than 14 days ago - this is called a 'cooling off period' the price of your contract is going up and your provider has given you 30 days to cancel without a fee.

What is prohibited during the cooling-off period? ›

During the cooling off period, an offer or sale of the issue is prohibited, as are recommendations of the issue or the advertising of the issue.

What type of transactions does the Cooling-Off Rule apply to? ›

The Cooling-Off Rule applies to types of sales such as: Trade show and fairground sales contracts. Contracts for home equity loans. Internet purchase contracts.

Why is a cooling-off period important? ›

This period offers buyers a unique advantage by allowing them the option to withdraw from the contract without facing any legal repercussions, even after the contract has been signed. The primary purpose of the Cooling Off Period is to safeguard buyers from making hasty decisions that they may later regret.

What is a cooling-off period How does it protect consumers? ›

Federal and state consumer laws allow people to cancel certain contracts or sales of goods for any reason, such as buyer's remorse, or for no reason at all. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires sellers of goods in certain circ*mstances to allow consumers a “cooling off” period.

What is the cooling-off period disclosure? ›

The Cooling Off Rule provides that it is unfair and deceptive for sellers engaged in “door-to-door” sales valued at more than $25 to fail to provide consumers with disclosures regarding their right to cancel the sales contract within three business days of the transaction.

What is the cooling-off period for a policy? ›

Cancelling during the cooling-off period

You may want to cancel an insurance policy if you have just bought it and have changed your mind. By law, you have a minimum 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel the policy for any reason.

What is the minimum cooling-off period for a contract? ›

Consumers have 10 business days to change their mind and cancel the contract (cooling-off period).

What does cooling-off mean in law? ›

A cooling-off period is an agreed period of time during which two sides with opposing views try to resolve a dispute before taking any serious action. There should be a seven-day cooling-off period between a strike ballot and industrial action. ... a one-year cooling-off period before couples were granted a divorce.

What is the cooling-off period for insurance? ›

Cancelling during the cooling-off period

You may want to cancel an insurance policy if you have just bought it and have changed your mind. By law, you have a minimum 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel the policy for any reason.

What is the purpose of the cooling period? ›

an agreed length of time in which someone can decide not to buy something they have agreed to buy, or a period in which two groups who are arguing can try to improve the situation before taking further action: There is a 20-day cooling-off period in which the investor can choose to back out of the contract.

What is a cooling-off period in trademark? ›

A cooling-off period in trademark law refers to a period of time during an opposition proceeding when the parties are given an opportunity to resolve the dispute amicably and potentially avoid further legal proceedings.

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