Woman receives free gift, but signs contract for $7,000 vacuum cleaner
“I wish I never would have clicked on that link at all,” said Daphne Vasquez of Toronto.
Vasquez said she was on Facebook last month when a friend told her she had a chance to receive a free gift.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“My friend made a post on Facebook saying, ‘look at this air purifier’ and there was a smaller unit, ‘click here to get yours for free for no obligation,’ so I clicked on it,” Vasquez explained.
To get the air cleaning device, Vasquez had to agree to sit through a sales demonstration for the Rainbow Home Cleaning System in her home.
“It’s basically a multi-function vacuum cleaner that has a water tank to filter out impurities and it’s supposed to freshen the air,” she said.
After the demonstration, Vasquez received the small air purifier, but said the salesperson told her if she could sign up 12 other people to buy the cleaning system she could have the vacuum for free as well.
“The next thing you know, she is shoving these forms at me and I’m signing things. She didn't even let me look at the contract to fill everything out myself," Vasquez said.
A Toronto woman says she signed a contract for a $7K vacuum after receiving a free gift.
When the salesperson left, Vasquez became concerned that if she didn't sign up 12 other people to buy the vacuum, the contract stated she would have to purchase the cleaning system for $4,519.
The other option on the contract was to pay the money owing through a payment plan over three years. The 36 payments of $197 per month totalled $7,092.
“I want them to come and pick up the unit and I want something in writing saying my obligation is severed and that my obligation is also severed with the finance company" said Vasquez.
CTV News Toronto reached out to Rainbow and a company spokesperson said when people click on the link it’s clear they will be contacted by the company for an in-home demonstration.
“By clicking submit, I agree to be contacted by Rainbow Systems to showcase the Rainbow home cleaning system. (No purchase obligation). Before submitting to receive the small air purifier, customers have to agree to taking a look at the bigger model, no purchase obligation required, just like her friend who filled out the survey, she received the small air purifier for taking a look at the bigger model and did not purchase.”
Rainbow added “We have looked up this customer and our records show that she has already cancelled her purchase last month, and she is in arrangement with the salesperson to pick up the machine.”
Vasquez said she is hopeful she is free of the contract and says she will be more careful accepting free gifts in the future.
“I would say no to a free gift. It’s not worth getting stuck in this kind of situation,” said Vasquez.
Always be cautious if you see anything advertised for free but if you do agree to a demonstration in your home and sign a contract you have a ten day cooling off period to cancel it for any reason.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.