Door-to-Door and Trade Show Sales

Under the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) cooling off rule, you have until midnight of the third business day after a contract was signed to cancel either of the following:

• a door-to-door sales contract for $25 or more, or
• a contract for $25 or more made anywhere other than the seller's normal place of business -- for instance, at a sales presentation at hotel or restaurant, outdoor exhibit, computer show, or trade show. This rule does not apply to public car auctions and craft fairs.

Home Equity Loans and Second Mortgages

Under a federal law called the Truth in Lending Act, you have until midnight of the third business day after a contract was signed to cancel:

• a home improvement loan
• a second mortgage, or
• any other loan where you pledge your home as security (except for a first mortgage).

Catalog and Internet Orders

If you order goods by mail, phone, computer, or fax, the Federal Trade Commission's "mail or telephone order rule" requires that the seller ship to you within the time promised or, if no time was stated, within 30 days. (This rule does not apply to photo development, magazine subscriptions, or orders for seeds or plants.)