Consumer rights and ResponsibilitiesSubtitle

Consumer Movement

• In the past businesses tried to take advantage– Unsafe products– Too high of prices– False claims about products

• JFK signed the consumer bill of rights in 1962– Protect the consumers– 4 rights

• Richard Nixon (5th right), Gerald Ford (6th right) Bill Clinton (7th right)

Consumer Bill of rights

1) Right to be informed2) Right to safety3) The right to choose4) The right to be heard5) The right to a remedy6) The right to consumer education7) The right to service

The right to be informed

• Most products are in advertisements, have labels, or are described by a salesperson

• They must give you accurate information• If a sales person exaggerates it is not fraud.– i.e. “It is the best”

• Fraud occurs when consumers are given false information in an effort to make a sale.

The right to safety• Consumers have the right to not be harmed by

a product• The following agencies make sure this happens:– Consumer product safety commission• Has the authority to set safety standards and issue

recalls– Food and drug administrations• Makes sure food, drugs, and cosmetics are safe

– The U.S. Department of Agriculture• Ensures safety by setting safety on farm products

The right to choose

• Right to choose a variety of goods and services• Federal Trade Commission– Prevents one firm from using unfair practice to

force another out of business– Prevents Monopoly

The right to be heard

• Most companies have a customer service dept– Take care of complaints

• The Federal trade commission assures that you have the right to be heard.

• At the state level the attorney general or department of affairs has that responsibility.

• The Better Business Bureau can also help if you are not being heard.

The right to a remedy

• The Fair Packaging and Labeling act, National Traffic and Moto vehicle safety act, Truth in Labeling Act, and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act all protect consumers.

• Provide assurances that consumers can seek legal actions when a problem occurs.– Repair, replace, refund

The right to a remedy

• With some purchases a customer can expect a guarantee or warranty.– Promises in writing that the product has certain

amount of quality• Express Warranty- Is either made orally or in

writing giving specific quality of performance.• Implied Warranty- (not written) is imposed by

law. The law states that products must meet certain standards (i.e. Safety)

The right to consumer education

• Individuals should be educated on their decisions.

• They should know how their choices affect the economy.

The right to service

• Consumers should expect convenience, courtesy and responsiveness.

• This encourages businesses to take steps necessary to ensure the quality of products and services.

Consumer responsibilities• Be Honest

• Be Reasonable

• Be Active-Report unethical business practices

• Be informed

• Be involved- with government