Your Right to Cancel a Purchase in Wisconsin
When you can cancel a purchase or contract in Wisconsin, the deadline, and what stores must tell you about refunds.
Short answer: Under the Wisconsin Consumer Act, a customer may cancel a "consumer approval transaction" until midnight of the third business day after the merchant gives the required notice. Wis. Stat. §§ 423.201, 423.202, 423.203
| Right to cancel (cooling-off) | Under the Wisconsin Consumer Act, a customer may cancel a "consumer approval transaction" until midnight of the third business day after the merchant gives the required notice. This covers consumer transactions started by face-to-face solicitation away from the merchant's regular place of business, or by mail or phone solicitation directed to the customer, and completed away from the merchant's business, if credit is involved or the cash price exceeds $25 (real estate, auctions and catalog-only sales are excluded). Notice of cancellation is given by mail and is effective when mailed. The merchant must give two copies of a "CUSTOMER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL" notice. |
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| Store refund policies | For face-to-face consumer sales (such as door-to-door sales), DATCP's rules require the seller, before the sale, to disclose its policy on refunds, cancellations, exchanges or repurchases if the seller has a policy that prevents or substantially limits them, or if the seller makes any claims about them. This rule applies to face-to-face (in-person solicitation) sales; no general rule for all retail stores was reviewed. |
Where to get help in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Bureau of Consumer Protection
- File a complaint or claim
More Wisconsin consumer protection
- The Lemon Law in Wisconsin
- Contractors and Repair Shops in Wisconsin
- Filing a Consumer Complaint in Wisconsin
- All Wisconsin consumer protection rules
FAQ
Can you cancel a contract after signing it in Wisconsin?
Under the Wisconsin Consumer Act, a customer may cancel a "consumer approval transaction" until midnight of the third business day after the merchant gives the required notice. This covers consumer transactions started by face-to-face solicitation away from the merchant's regular place of business, or by mail or phone solicitation directed to the customer, and completed away from the merchant's business, if credit is involved or the cash price exceeds $25 (real estate, auctions and catalog-only sales are excluded). Notice of cancellation is given by mail and is effective when mailed. The merchant must give two copies of a "CUSTOMER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL" notice.
Do stores have to give refunds in Wisconsin?
For face-to-face consumer sales (such as door-to-door sales), DATCP's rules require the seller, before the sale, to disclose its policy on refunds, cancellations, exchanges or repurchases if the seller has a policy that prevents or substantially limits them, or if the seller makes any claims about them.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.