Most purchases have no 'change your mind' window.
Ontario doesn't give a cooling-off period on most purchases — but if a business misled you, you can cancel within a year, and your credit card company can reverse the charge. Here's what you can actually do.
Free. No payment to start. We'll point you to free help too.
In 30 seconds, here's what's true
- Most purchases have no cooling-off period and no general right to return. Only specific contracts — like door-to-door sales or gym memberships — have a 10-day cancellation window.
- If a business lied or misled you (an unfair practice), you can cancel the contract within one year and ask for your money back.
- If you paid by credit card and cancelled a contract the business won't refund, you can ask your card company to reverse the charge — even for services.
- You don't have to pay for goods or services you never asked for. Unsolicited stuff sent to you is yours to keep or ignore.
- Most gift cards in Ontario can't expire and keep their full value. There are limited exceptions for certain cards.
How the process works
Check if you have a cancellation right
Most purchases have no cooling-off period. But door-to-door sales, time-shares, and personal development services (like gyms) have a 10-day window, and a misleading business gives you one year.
Complain to the business in writing first
Send a written cancellation or refund request and keep a copy. For many cooling-off contracts, the business then has 15 days to refund you.
Use a credit card chargeback if they won't refund
If you cancelled a contract and the business won't pay, write to your credit card company within 60 days. They can reverse the charge — this works for services too.
Escalate to Consumer Protection Ontario
If the business won't resolve it, file a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario, and report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Consider Small Claims Court
As a last resort, you can sue in Small Claims Court for up to $50,000. Start a free PLAIN session to figure out your best route.
What to do next
- Check whether your contract type has a cooling-off period.
- Note the one-year cancel right if the business misled you.
- Send a written cancellation or refund request.
- Keep copies of contracts, receipts, and messages.
- Request a credit card chargeback within 60 days if unpaid.
- Don't pay for goods or services you didn't order.
- Complain to Consumer Protection Ontario; report scams to the Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Consider Small Claims Court as a last resort.
Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| All purchases have a cooling-off period. | Most don't. Only specific contracts — door-to-door sales, time-shares, gym and personal development contracts — have a 10-day cancellation window. |
| I can always return something within 30 days. | There's no general right to return a purchase. Store return policies are voluntary unless a specific rule applies. |
| Once I sign a contract, I'm stuck no matter what. | If the business used a false, misleading, or unconscionable practice, you can cancel within one year. |
| I have to pay for unsolicited goods sent to me. | No. You can keep, use, or ignore unsolicited goods or services and owe nothing. |
| Gift cards can expire. | Most gift cards in Ontario can't expire and keep full value. Only limited types, like single-service or some prepaid cards, have exceptions. |
| There's nothing I can do about a scam. | You can complain to the business, file with Consumer Protection Ontario, report to the Anti-Fraud Centre, try a chargeback, or sue in Small Claims. |
| A chargeback isn't possible for services. | It is. The statutory chargeback right covers services too, not just physical goods. |
| A deposit means I can never get my money back. | If you cancel under a cooling-off right or because of an unfair practice, you can be entitled to a refund, including the deposit. |
Last reviewed June 2026
Written and reviewed by the founder of PLAIN, checked against primary government and legal sources. How we research these guides
Sources
PLAIN gives legal information, not legal advice. It is not a substitute for a lawyer or paralegal — and we'll point you to free ones. Laws change; we review these pages regularly, but always confirm current rules with a licensed professional.
Free. No payment to start. We'll point you to free help too.