When you buy something at a store and later change your mind, your ability to return the merchandise depends upon store policy. If you buy an item in your home you might have three days to cancel. This Cooling-Off Rule also applies to purchases of $25 or more at your workplace and places rented by a seller on a temporary basis, such as hotel or motel rooms, convention centers, fairgrounds and restaurants. Enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, the Cooling-Off Rule requires sellers to tell you that you have three business days after the sale to change your mind. At the time of the sale, the seller must give you two dated copies of a cancellation form (one to keep and one to send) and a copy of your contract or a receipt showing the salesperson's name and address and explaining your right to cancel. The contract or receipt must be in the same language that's used in the sales presentation.

To cancel a purchase, sign and date one of the cancellation notices and send it by certified mail postmarked before midnight of the third business day following the sale. Saturday is considered a business day, but Sunday and legally recognized holidays are not. Keep the other notice of cancellation for your records. If you were not provided with this form at the time of the sale, your three-day period doesn't start until you receive it from the seller. You can also write your own letter to cancel the order.

Once you have canceled, you must be given a refund within 10 days. The seller must notify you of the date for product pick up, and return of any trade-ins you gave as a down payment. Within 20 days, the seller must either pick up the items, or reimburse you for mailing expenses.

Be aware that there are situations in which the Cooling-Off Rule does not apply:

• You made the purchase entirely by mail or telephone.
• The sale was the result of prior contact you had at the seller's permanent business location.
• You signed a document waiving your right to cancel.
• Your purchase is not primarily for personal, family or household use. .
• You were buying real estate, insurance, securities, or a motor vehicle.
• You can't return the item in a condition similar to how it was when you got it.
• You bought arts or crafts at a fair, shopping mall, civic center, or school.

Remember that if you paid by credit card and are having difficulty getting your refund, you may also be able to dispute the charge with your credit card company under the Fair Credit Billing Act.