{"id":352496,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/canceling-a-sale-the-cooling-off-period.html"},"modified":"2023-12-08T11:20:59","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T16:20:59","slug":"canceling-a-sale-the-cooling-off-period","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/canceling-a-sale-the-cooling-off-period.html","title":{"rendered":"Canceling a Sale: The Cooling-Off Period"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Canceling a Sale: The Cooling-Off Period<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The cooling-off rules are part of federal consumer protection laws that allow customers to cancel certain sales contracts within a few days. This includes contracts such as those from door-to-door sales (over $25), trade shows (over $130), and home equity loans. It doesn’t apply to all purchases, like real estate. Online and mail orders can be canceled for shipping delays. State laws may offer more protections for canceling contracts like gym memberships and diet programs. Consult your state\u2019s consumer protection agency or a lawyer for guidance.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Once you sign or enter a sales agreement, you typically can’t take it back. You’d have to accept the terms, including paying the sale costs. Sadly, some customers suffer buyer’s remorse when they realize too late that\u00a0they made the wrong decision.<\/p>\n

There are a few types of contracts that you can cancel. Some federal laws allow parties who enter an agreement to cancel it within a few days. These laws are often called “cooling-off rules.” They are part of a broader set of consumer protection laws.<\/p>\n

Many types of products and services don’t give you a cooling-off period. Take some time to learn about your consumer rights before\u00a0agreeing to a purchase<\/a>\u00a0or subscription.<\/p>\n

Do I Have a Right To Cancel My Purchase?<\/h2>\n

Your ability to cancel a sale depends on your purchase or lease type. According to the\u00a0Federal Trade Commission<\/a>\u00a0(FTC), the cooling-off law applies in just a few scenarios, not all transactions. For example, you can’t cancel a real estate purchase like buying a house.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Cooling-Off Rule<\/a>\u00a0applies to types of sales such as:<\/p>\n