A recent investigation has revealed the door-to-door sales company Advanced Air Supply Inc and its sole director, Jacob Douglass, have contravened several sections of BC’s Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA) and the Consumer Contracts Regulation.
According to Consumer Protection BC, these include:
• Engaging in deceptive acts or practices by representing used products as new;
• Engaging in unconscionable acts or practices by taking advantage of senior consumers based on their age;
• Failing to refund consumers who properly exercised their contract cancellation rights; and
• Using contracts that did not contain legally-required information.
As a result, Consumer Protection BC has ordered Advanced Air Supply to refund consumers a total of $5,139.35, pay $3,600 in penalties for breaking the law, pay $500 in partial inspection costs and immediately comply with BC’s consumer protection laws.
“In this case, we found the business specifically targeted senior customers, subjecting them to lengthy and high-pressure sales presentations,” says Tatiana Chabeaux-Smith, spokesperson for Consumer Protection BC.
By law, Advanced Air Supply has 30 days to request a reconsideration of these decisions.

Tips about door-to-door sales contracts:

1. Know your cancellation rights. BC’s contract law gives consumers certain cancellation rights. For example, you have 10 days to cancel your door-to-door sales contract for any reason. 
2. Be cautious of down payments and keep a copy of your contract. If you’re asked to make a down payment, by law, it can’t be more than 10 per cent of the total cost or $100 – the lesser of the two. Get a copy of it when you sign it or it’s not binding. 
3. Watch out for prize incentives.  Proceed with caution!
4. Know who to contact if there’s a problem.  Consumers with questions or concerns about door to door natural gas sales or contracts should contact the British Columbia Utilities Commission.