Your consumer rights
Alberta’s Consumer Bill of Rights was developed to help businesses and consumers understand their rights and responsibilities in Alberta’s marketplace.
The bill of rights outlines how the Consumer Protection Act:
- ensures consumers are informed about products, services and transactions
- keeps consumers safe from unfair business practices
- gives access to a remedy when harmed
- ensures consumers have a right to protect their interests
The marketplace thrives when business and consumers have confidence they will be treated fairly and ethically.
The right to be informed
You have the right to:
- only be charged for goods or services you requested and agreed to pay for
- honest advice whether a part, replacement or repair is needed
- be informed of the full cost of credit when entering into a credit agreement
- not be charged more than 10% of an estimate, to a maximum of $100
The right to fair treatment
You have the right to be free from:
- high pressure sales tactics
- being lied to or misled about a good or service
- being taken advantage of when you cannot understand a transaction
- being grossly overcharged
- having a payment taken from you when the business does not intend to provide the good or service
- being told that a good or service will be provided within a certain timeframe when the supplier knows (or ought to know) they cannot deliver
The right to take action when treated unfairly
You have the right to:
- cancel a contract without penalty within one year if a business is found to have used an unfair practice.
- resolve a dispute through the courts and you cannot be forced into arbitration.
- make a complaint to Service Alberta
- cancel an internet purchase or contract over $50 within seven days if a business fails to properly disclose the total amount owed or if the goods are not delivered within 30 days of the delivery date
The right to protect your interests
You have the right to:
- the full protections of the Consumer Protection Act – you cannot waive or release your rights, benefits, or protections under the Act, even if a contract says you are waiving your rights
- refuse to pay for goods and services you did not request
- cancel a door-to-door, pre-paid contracting, or timeshare sales contract within 10 days
- share information about your transaction in the form of a business review
Door-to-door sales
The Consumer Protection Act allows you to cancel a sale within 10 days of receiving your copy of the signed contract if:
- the purchase was for more than $25
- the purchase was made in person, away from the seller's normal place of business
- the purchase was intended primarily for your personal, family or household use
- you have one additional day to reconsider the purchase if the last day you can cancel falls on a Sunday or statutory holiday
You do not have to give a reason for cancellation.
Prepaid contractor
When a written contract has been solicited, agreed upon or signed at your home or at another location away from the contractor’s normal place of business, the Consumer Protection Act allows you to cancel the contract up to 10 days after you receive your copy.
Time share
Under the Consumer Protection Act, you have 10 days to cancel a time share or points-based contract entered into from within Alberta. You do not need a reason to cancel. The 10-day period starts the day after you get a copy of the signed contract. You can cancel the contract by personal service, registered mail, email or fax at the address provided by the supplier in the contract. Once you cancel a contract, the supplier has 15 days to refund your money.
Resources
Contact
For further assistance with any of these topics, contact the Consumer Contact Centre:
Phone: 780-427-4088 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free: 1-877-427-4088 (in Alberta)