Warning about people knocking door-to-door in Chesterfield

Once allowed in, residents are subjected to a high-pressure sales pitch and feel compelled to sign up just to make the representative leave.

In one instance, the representative tried to sell an alarm system despite the fact the householder already had one installed.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire trading standards said: “When selling goods at the door, the trader must, by law, provide customers with written confirmation that they have a 14-day cancellation period in which they are entitled to change their mind about the purchase, and how to obtain exercise that right to cancel. Paperwork left by the alarm company at a house after a sales visit did not have this information.

“We urge residents to think carefully before agreeing to let a sales rep into their home as it can often become difficult to persuade them to leave.

“If you have any concerns or information about this matter, you can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06,” they added.