Do I have 3 days to return a purchase or cancel a contract in Texas?

The library receives this question often, but we have not been able to locate a law that provides a 3-day right to cancel any and all contracts or return any and all purchases. There are some statutes that provide a “cooling off” period for certain purchases or transactions, but these laws are very specific in nature and don't apply to all transactions.

Our cancellation of consumer contracts research guide points you to laws that deal with specific purchases or contracts — e.g., timeshares, health spas, home equity loans, motor vehicle installment sales, certain telephone solicitation purchases, manufactured home purchases, “lease to own” house contracts.

In his Know Your Rights! publication, Richard Alderman, a Texas attorney, says the following:

The existence of a three-day cooling-off period is one of the most widely held misconceptions about the law. There are only very limited instances in which you have three days to change your mind. For example, you have this right if you sign a contract that puts a lien on your home, a contract for time-share property, a health spa contract, or most contracts negotiated door-to-door. In other cases, though, once you sign you are bound.

The Texas Attorney General's website addresses the 3-day right to cancel law regarding door-to-door sales, but as they explain, that law is very specific.

If you still have questions about a purchase or contract, it would be best to consult with an attorney for advice specific to your situation.