Consumer Rights in Door-to-Door Sales in Turkey

Because a door-to-door sale is a form of sale the consumer encounters outside the trader's place of business, at their own home or workplace, at a moment they had not planned for, the law grants consumers additional protection in these transactions.

Definition of a Door-to-Door Sale

Under Article 47 of Law No. 6502 and the Regulation on Contracts Concluded Off-Premises, a door-to-door sale covers sales concluded outside the trader's place of business, in a setting where the seller or provider and the consumer are simultaneously physically present, or sales made at the consumer's home or workplace at the trader's initiative. Contracts concluded during promotional events such as trips or seminars are also treated as falling within this scope.

The Seller's Disclosure Obligation

Before the contract is concluded, the seller or provider must clearly and understandably disclose their identity, professional or commercial purpose, the essential characteristics of the goods or service, the total price, and how the right of withdrawal can be exercised. A contract concluded without this disclosure does not produce results against the consumer.

The Right of Withdrawal

The consumer has the right to withdraw from a door-to-door sale contract within 14 days, without giving any reason and without paying a penalty. Where the seller fails to fulfil the disclosure obligation, this period may extend up to one year from delivery of the goods or conclusion of the service contract; if disclosure is subsequently made within that year, the withdrawal period begins running again as 14 days from the date of disclosure.

Points to Note When the Contract Is Concluded

The seller is required to give the consumer a copy of the contract, either on paper or through a durable data medium. A price not stated in the contract or not previously disclosed to the consumer cannot subsequently be demanded.

Common Areas of Dispute

In practice, disputes commonly arise in sales made through educational-set, encyclopaedia, health-device, and promotional-trip organisations, due to the seller's identity being concealed or the right of withdrawal not being disclosed.

Practical Recommendations

When faced with a sales offer outside a place of business, ask for the seller's identity and authorisation documents, carefully read the contract text before signing, and do not hesitate to exercise your right of withdrawal in writing within the period.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact our team regarding your specific situation.