Cooling-Off Period
A legally mandated time window to cancel a purchase and get a full refund.
📖 What It Means
A cooling-off period is a legally mandated time frame during which a consumer can cancel a contract or purchase and receive a full refund — no questions asked. In the US, the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives 3 days for door-to-door sales over $25. In the EU, the Consumer Rights Directive provides 14 days for online and distance purchases. Many states have additional cooling-off rules for specific industries.
✅ Key Points
- 1US FTC Rule: 3 business days for door-to-door sales over $25
- 2EU Consumer Rights Directive: 14 days for online/distance purchases
- 3UK: 14 days for most online purchases (Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013)
- 4Does not apply to perishable goods, digital content once downloaded, or bespoke items
- 5Must send written notice of cancellation within the cooling-off period
💡 How to Use This
Always check if a cooling-off period applies to your purchase. For EU online purchases, you have 14 days to return most items — and the company must refund within 14 days of receiving the returned goods.
Find Your Service →⚖️ Legal Citation
16 CFR Part 429 (US), EU Directive 2011/83/EU, UK CCR 2013Use this citation in your dispute letters for legal weight.
🔗 Related Terms
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