Unwanted Phone Sales — Your Rights in the Netherlands

What's happening?

Unwanted telephone sales, also known as 'cold calling', is a widespread problem. Companies call consumers without permission to sell products or services, often using aggressive sales techniques. These salespeople use time pressure, misleading information, or emotional manipulation to persuade you into a purchase. Many consumers feel pressured and agree to a purchase they later regret. The problem is worsened because many people find it difficult to say 'no' during a phone conversation.

What does Dutch law say?

Dutch law offers strong protection against unwanted telephone sales. The main rules are found in the Telecommunications Act (Telecommunicatiewet) and the consumer sales law (wet op de consumentenkoop). These laws give consumers the right to refuse unwanted sales and to withdraw from purchases. The GDPR (privacy legislation) also plays a role, as companies cannot simply use your data for telemarketing.

What are your rights?

As a consumer in the Netherlands, you have strong rights against unwanted telephone sales. These rights also apply if you've already bought something during such a conversation.

What can you do now?

If you've bought something after an unwanted sales call, you can take steps to cancel the purchase. It's important to act quickly, but you do have time to handle it properly.

Sample letter or template

A good withdrawal letter (herroepingsbrief) is crucial for exercising your rights under Dutch law. MijnRecht.AI can help you draft a legally strong letter that fits exactly with your situation, including the correct legal references and deadlines.

Where can you get help?

For help with unwanted telephone sales in the Netherlands, you can contact various organisations. The Legal Counter (Juridisch Loket) provides free advice about your rights. The ACM (Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets) handles complaints about unwanted telemarketing and can take enforcement action. For disputes about the purchase itself, you can often contact a dispute committee, depending on the sector. As a last resort, you can go to court, but this is usually only necessary for complex cases or high amounts.