Is Soliciting Allowed at Point Hope?

City of Charleston and Berkeley County ordinances regarding soliciting and selling door-to-door apply to the neighborhoods at Point Hope. Here’s what you need to know:

Per Chapter 17, Article II of the City of Charleston ordinances:

Any “peddler” (which is defined as door-to-door sales) must obtain a permit. The city’s ordinances also provide other rules regarding “peddling,” including a prohibition for peddling after 8 p.m. and before 8 a.m.; no peddling on property with a posted sign prohibiting such activity; and no “aggressive” peddling.

Per Chapter 12, Article II of the Berkeley County ordinances:

Peddlers are required to obtain a license from the county. Like the City of Charleston, Berkeley County also contains rules regarding peddling, including a prohibition against peddling where there is a “clearly posted” sign against peddling; any time between one-half hour before sunset and 9 a.m.; and anytime on Sundays. 

Per SC State law:

South Carolina state law does not include prohibitions as detailed as the time or place of solicitation/peddling, but it does include another important rule known as the “right to rescind” or “cooling-off rule.” When consumers are in their own home, they cannot walk away from a salesperson like they would be able to in a retail store. Therefore, South Carolina state law (S.C. Code Ann. § 37-2-502) provides the buyer in a “home solicitation sale” the statutory right to cancel the sale until “midnight of the third business day after the day on which the buyer signs an agreement.” Moreover, cancellation occurs upon written notice from the buyer and is deemed to have occurred by mail when a properly addressed, posted notice is deposited in a mailbox.

What to do if you experience aggressive sales people at your home:

If you experience aggressive peddling at your home or in your neighborhood, or are approached by a door-to-door sales representative that does not have a permit, please contact the City of Charleston Police Department and the Better Business Bureau to report the incident.