Doorstep selling of double-glazing, gas and
electricity and other goods has reached a value of £4.7bn a year, according to
a new study from the Office of Fair Trading.
The volume of sales has been rising at a rate
of 2.9% annually, led by double-glazing, conservatories and cleaning products,
as firms bypass the High Street and take advantage of the opportunity to sell
direct - sometimes at high prices.
The OFT says that tighter rules governing
cooling-off periods and written quotes have saved consumers millions of pounds
over the past few years.
But the study, compiled by a research firm
GHK, highlights concerns about high pressure sales techniques in some areas,
including home repairs and mobility devices for the disabled.
It adds that some prices are nearly double
the best quotes and that too many buyers fail to compare prices when buying on
the doorstep.
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