Deceptive vacuum cleaner salesman ordered to pay more than $9,000 in fines

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      Consumer Protection B.C. has found that Advanced Air Supply Inc. and its sole director, Jacob Douglass, took advantage of seniors while selling vacuum cleaners door to door.

      B.C.'s consumer watchdog found that the business engaged in "deceptive" and "unconscionable" acts by representing old vacuum cleaners as new and by exploiting customers based on their age.

      The company has been ordered to provide $5,139.35 in refunds, pay $3,600 in penalties, and turn over $500 to cover "partial inspection costs".

      "In this case, we found the business specifically targeted senior customers, subjecting them to lengthy and high-pressure sales presentations," Consumer Protection B.C. spokesperson Tatiana Chabeaux-Smith said in a news release.

      The news release states that the company also relied on "questionable tactics to gain access to consumers' homes, using surveys and prize incentives".

      Under the law, consumers can cancel door-to-door sales contracts for up to 10 days after the transaction.

      Down payments cannot be larger than $100 or 10 percent of the cost—whichever is less.

      The B.C. Utilities Commission regulates door-to-door sales of natural gas.

      Comments

      1 Comments

      James Blatchford

      Jul 27, 2015 at 2:31pm

      He's got a future in pitching LNG.

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