If you’ve ever had a surprise knock at the door from a salesperson while trying to relax at home, you might be curious about the rules behind it.
From curfew hours to whether salespeople have to obey “no soliciting” signs, here’s what to know.
Are door-to-door sellers required to have a license in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin state law does not require a general license for door-to-door sellers. Licensing rules vary by city.
In Milwaukee, anyone who goes house to house selling goods or taking orders needs to obtain a mobile seller’s license from the city clerk’s office.
But there are some exemptions, the ordinance says, including farmers selling their own crops, artists selling their own work, and anyone buying or selling comic books or collectible toys.
Solicitors in Milwaukee must also register with the district police station where they plan to work at least five days ahead of time, according to city ordinance.
What hours can door-to-door salespeople operate in Wisconsin?
State regulations don’t specify what hours door-to-door salespeople can operate, so the clock is set city by city.
Milwaukee’s ordinance bars door-to-door solicitation – whether for commercial purposes or fundraising – between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
In Wauwatosa, those prohibited hours are between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.
Do door-to-door salespeople have to say who they are?
Yes. Wisconsin law requires a seller to state their name, company and what they’re selling before saying anything else beyond an initial greeting. Those disclosures must be made both orally and in writing.
Does a “no soliciting” sign actually stop them?
According to city ordinance, it should.
If posted near the main entrance, a sign reading “Solicitors Prohibited” legally bars a solicitor from ringing the bell, knocking or stepping onto the property.
What if a salesperson won’t leave?
State law says any door-to-door seller has to leave a property once asked.
Wisconsin’s trespassing law can also apply once consent to be on the property is withdrawn.
What happens to door-to-door salespeople who break the rules in Wisconsin?
In Milwaukee, under city ordinance, violators face a fine between $50 and $500 per offense, plus court costs, with each day counting separately.
Violations of the state’s face-to-face solicitation rules are enforced separately through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Sellers who break state rules can face criminal fines of $25 to $5,000, up to a year in county jail, or both, according to state statute.
Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at QClark@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What door-to-door salespeople can and can’t do in Wisconsin
Reporting by Quinn Clark, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Quinn Clark, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
