Over the past weeks reports have been received from customers about misleading door-to-door sales agents and their practices in Oakville. This includes reported deception on who the agent represented, their terms and conditions, and customers’ obligation to let them remove their current water heater.
According to the Ministry of Consumer Services, complaints about water heater rental businesses have gone up significantly over the past year – most of these complaints are about unclear or misleading contracts.
Some things consumers should watch out for:
- Sales people claiming to be Reliance™ agents or service representatives – Real Reliance agents or service representatives will not ask to enter a customer’s home or inspect their water heater without a scheduled appointment.
- Invalid claims that a customer’s water heater should be replaced – Every Reliance water heater is installed to code and could have a useful expected lifespan of 15 years or more.
- Pressure to sign up for long-term contracts with significant punitive exit fees – Reliance has no long-term contracts or punitive exit fees.
To help keep consumers informed, Reliance launched www.burnedatthedoor.com – the first educational website on misleading sales tactics at the door. The website is a resource for Ontarians to learn more about door-to-door selling and report questionable activity in their area. Reliance has also developed a code of conduct for agents working on our behalf.
If you have questions or concerns about water heater suppliers or rentals, they can reach the Ministry of Consumer Services toll-free at 1-800-889-9768 or via e-mail at consumer@ontario.ca. Alternatively, you can call the local police to report questionable door-to-door activity in your area.
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