Table of contents
Your consumer rights
Alberta’s Consumer Bill of Rights was developed to help businesses and consumers understand their rights and responsibilities in Alberta’s marketplace.
The bill of rights outlines how the Consumer Protection Act:
- ensures consumers are informed about products, services and transactions
- keeps consumers safe from unfair business practices
- gives access to a remedy when harmed
- ensures consumers have a right to protect their interests
The marketplace thrives when business and consumers have confidence they will be treated fairly and ethically.
The right to be informed
You have the right to:
- only be charged for goods or services you requested and agreed to pay for
- honest advice whether a part, replacement or repair is needed
- be informed of the full cost of credit when entering into a credit agreement
- not be charged more than 10% of an estimate, to a maximum of $100
The right to fair treatment
You have the right to be free from:
- high pressure sales tactics
- being lied to or misled about a good or service
- being taken advantage of when you cannot understand a transaction
- being grossly overcharged
- having a payment taken from you when the business does not intend to provide the good or service
- being told that a good or service will be provided within a certain timeframe when the supplier knows (or ought to know) they cannot deliver
The right to take action when treated unfairly
You have the right to:
- cancel a contract without penalty within one year if a business is found to have used an unfair practice.
- resolve a dispute through the courts and you cannot be forced into arbitration.
- make a complaint to Service Alberta
- cancel an internet purchase or contract over $50 within seven days if a business fails to properly disclose the total amount owed or if the goods are not delivered within 30 days of the delivery date
The right to protect your interests
You have the right to:
- the full protections of the Consumer Protection Act – you cannot waive or release your rights, benefits, or protections under the Act, even if a contract says you are waiving your rights
- refuse to pay for goods and services you did not request
- cancel a door-to-door, pre-paid contracting, or timeshare sales contract within 10 days
- share information about your transaction in the form of a business review
Door-to-door sales
The Consumer Protection Act allows you to cancel a sale within 10 days of receiving your copy of the signed contract if:
- the purchase was for more than $25
- the purchase was made in person, away from the seller's normal place of business
- the purchase was intended primarily for your personal, family or household use
- you have one additional day to reconsider the purchase if the last day you can cancel falls on a Sunday or statutory holiday
You do not have to give a reason for cancellation.
Prepaid contractor
When a written contract has been solicited, agreed upon or signed at your home or at another location away from the contractor’s normal place of business, the Consumer Protection Act allows you to cancel the contract up to 10 days after you receive your copy.
Time share
Under the Consumer Protection Act, you have 10 days to cancel a time share or points-based contract entered into from within Alberta. You do not need a reason to cancel. The 10-day period starts the day after you get a copy of the signed contract. You can cancel the contract by personal service, registered mail, email or fax at the address provided by the supplier in the contract. Once you cancel a contract, the supplier has 15 days to refund your money.
Resources
- Consumer Bill of Rights (PDF, 224 KB)
- Consumer Bill of Rights tip sheet
Contact
For further assistance with any of these topics, contact the Consumer Contact Centre:
Phone: 780-427-4088 (Edmonton and area)
Toll free: 1-877-427-4088 (in Alberta)
It is always a good idea to get a receipt or other proof of purchase for products and services you buy. Keep all records just in case something goes wrong later. To use your rights to a repair, replacement or refund you will need to keep the receipt or other type of proof of purchase. A receipt can come in the form of a: Other types of proof of purchase include: The Australian Consumer Law does not describe what sufficient proof of purchase is. Sometimes you may need to provide more than one of these things to support your claim. However, as long as you can reasonably demonstrate that you purchased an item, a business may be breaking the law if it denies your right to a refund, repair or replacement for an item that fails to meet a consumer guarantee. Businesses are not required to provide you
with a refund or replacement if you simply change your mind. Businesses must always give you a receipt (or similar proof of purchase) for anything over $75. If they don't, ask for one. You also have the right to request a receipt for anything under $75 and the receipt must be given within seven days of asking. The receipt must include the: You have the right to
ask a service provider for an itemised bill or account for up to 30 days after receiving the bill. This must be provided free of charge within seven days of the request.
An itemised account must show:
- how the price was worked out
- the number of labour hours and hourly rate, if relevant
- a list of materials used and the amount charged for them, if relevant.
It is a good idea to keep records about any descriptions and promises of how the product or service should appear and work.
Keep receipts in a safe, dry place and take a copy or photo of them if you are worried about fading. You can also use the ACCC Shopper app for storing receipts.
Consumer rights & guarantees