Consumer Rights & Responsibilities

1. Consumer Rights & Responsibilities

2. Introducing… Today we begin our Consumer Choices unit! • Consumer Rights & Responsibilities • Consumer Protection Agencies • Resolving Consumer Complaints • Importance of Product Labeling • Consumer Motives & Purchasing Choices • Comparison Shopping

3. Today’s Objectives • Identify the seven consumer rights. • Understand the purpose of consumer rights and the Consumer Bill of Rights. • Apply the right to safety to current events.

4. The ConsumerBill of Rights

5. Just Imagine… What do you do? You just bought a brand new iPod Touch from Best Buy yesterday. When you got home, however, you tried it out only to find that you could not hear a sound!

6. In the beginning… • Right to Be Informed • Right to Choose • Right to Safety • Right to be Heard The Consumer Bill of Rights began with: • President Kennedy • 1962 • 4 basic consumer rights

7. Right to Be Informed • Consumers have the right to receive accurate information. • Businesses are required to provide certain details about their product. • Companies provide this information through product labeling.

8. Right to Choose • Because the U.S. has a market economy, its consumers can choose from a wide variety of goods and services. • Businesses compete with each other to sell their products to consumers. • Competition provides choices.

9. Right to Safety • Product liability is the legal responsibility that manufacturers have to make a safe product. • Federal laws ensure that clothing, food, toys, and other items meet product-safety standards and will not harm consumers.

10. Right to Be Heard • Consumers who have complaints about products or services have a right to be heard. • Businesses rely on customer satisfaction.

11. The Consumer Movement Over the years, three more were added: • Right to Have Problems Corrected • Right to Consumer Education • Right to Service The Consumer Bill of Rights received a lot of attention from the consumer movement.

12. Right to Have Problems Corrected • If a customer takes a defective item back to a store with a receipt, the business will usually replace it or issue a refund. • If not, consumers can write to the manufacturer for a resolution. • If the manufacturer will not help, the consumer may need to contact a government agency.

13. Right to Consumer Education • Consumers have the right to learn how a market system works. • You should know: • How to get the best value and satisfaction for your money • Different stores might charge different prices • How to comparison shop to find the best buy

14. Right to Service • Customers have the right to be treated in a respectful and courteous manner. • You have the right to: • Expect prompt delivery of goods/services • Expect goods/services that meet the standard of quality a business claims • Be served without discrimination

15. Show What You Know! Match the consumer issue with the appropriate consumer right.

16. Consumer Responsibilities Along with rights come responsibilities.

17. To Be Informed • Responsible consumers find and use available information. • When you shop for: • Food – read product labels for nutritional information • Clothes – read labels to find out what materials are used and how to clean them • Major Purchases – read fact sheets and consumer magazines

18. To Choose Carefully • Responsible consumers make comparisons to find the best product or service at the best price. • Examine the options and prices and then make an educated choice. • Consumer choices can affect: • The Environment • The Conservation of Resources

19. To Be Reasonable • Consumers must follow the instructions provided in product manuals or other materials on the safe use of products. • For example, you should read the label of a cold remedy to find out its recommended dosage.

20. To Report Unethical Practices • Responsible consumers help improve the policies and products of businesses where they shop. • Let a company know if you are dissatisfied with its products or policies. • Report unfair, unsafe, and illegal business practices.

21. To Be Involved in Consumer Advocacy • Responsible consumers take a stand, when needed, to protect each other. • For example, you could organize or participate in a boycott if you object to a company’s policies or products.

22. To Be Honest • Responsible consumers refrain from taking advantage of business policies. • For example, you should: • Respect return policies • Be honest about broken (as opposed to defective) merchandise

23. On Your Own… Match the consumer action to the appropriate consumer responsibility it is demonstrating.