Bellwork 1-1

1. Bellwork 1-1 • When you make purchases as a consumer, do you believe you have certain rights as a consumer? • If so, list 3 possible rights a consumer would have. • Do consumers have certain responsibilities? • If so, list 3 possible responsibilities a consumer would have.

2. Understanding the rights and responsibilities of consumers Unit 6 5.01

3. What Rights do Consumers have? • Consumer Right: a basic set of protections, agreed upon by society and written into law, apply to purchases of merchandise and services in the United States. These rights of consumers include: • Right to be safe • Being entitled to protection against potentially harmful goods and services • Right to be informed • Being entitled to information about a seller’s reputation, product and service performance, quality, and price • Right to choose products and services • Having the opportunity to select goods, services, and places to shop • Right to be heard • Having opportunities to make known likes, dislikes, and problems with products and services

4. What Rights do Consumers have? • Right to redress • Being entitled to a fair and quick remedy to a wrong or loss • Right to consumer education • Being entitled to training to gain knowledge and skills as consumers • Right to service • Being entitled to convenience, courtesy, and responsiveness • Right to a healthy environment • Being able to live in a safe, non-threatening environment

5. What Responsibilities do Consumers have? • Consumer Responsibility: types of activities a consumer is expected to perform as part of a purchase decision. Each consumer responsibility parallels a consumer right. • To use products safely • Read and follow manufacturers’ directions for using a product • To find and use information • Find materials to compare sellers and products/services to be purchased • To choose purchases carefully • Make purchases from companies with reliable products and ethical business practices • To speak up • Let companies know when products/services are defective or below-standard

6. What Responsibilities do Consumers have? • To seek redress • Pursue remedies whenever products/services do not meet expectations • To learn • Learn skills that prepare one to be a confident, informed consumer • To reward good service • Use your buying power to support reliable sellers and service providers • To promote a healthy, caring relationship with the environment\ • Consider the effect on the environment of consumer practices, and support companies that consider the environment as well

7. Consumer Rights Assignment • Go to consumerreports.org • On the left hand side pick any 5 products • Once you select your product, click on Buying Guide at the top • For each of the 5 products answer the following: • List 3 buying guide topics and describe each • How would the information help you make a better purchase? • Which consumer rights have been exercised? (i.e. right to be informed, right to be educated, etc) • Put in PowerPoint and submit to Edmodo by the end of class

8. Bellwork 1-2 • Sarah purchased a new hair dryer and decided to use it while bathing. Sarah ignored the consumer responsibility to:  • A. learn.  • B. seek redress.  • C. use information.  • D. use products safely • Janet signed up to take a class on being a good consumer at her local credit union. Janet is exercising her consumer responsibility to:  • A. be heard.  • B. choose.  • C. learn.  • D. seek redress • Which is an example of the consumer responsibility to promote a caring relationship with the world?  • A. Buying a new lawnmower when the old one wouldn't start  • B. Sending empty ink cartridges back to the company for recycling  • C. Throwing plastic bottles in the trash can with other garbage  • D. Using only plastic disposable cups 

9. How do Consumers exercise their rights? • To protect their rights in the marketplace, consumers should: • Be their own advocates – look out for their own interests as a consumer with rights • Be aware of the steps to take to resolve problems with products/services • Be aware of organizations that assist consumers in resolving complaints • Know when to seek help

10. How do Consumers exercise their rights? • Sources of consumer protection: • Federal Agencies: • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) • Department of Labor (DOL) • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) • Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) • State Agencies: • Attorney General’s Office • NC Cooperative Extension

11. How do Consumers exercise their rights? • Sources of Consumer Protection: • Merchant services (Any help provided to consumers by companies/stores/businesses) • Warranty and return policies – provide guidelines for dissatisfied customers • Consumer affairs departments – deal with consumer concerns and complaints • Consumer advocate groups (A person or organization that works on behalf of consumers’ interests and rights) • Better Business Bureau (BBB) – provide reliability reports on businesses, accept consumer complaints • News media – provide consumer investigative reports • National consumer organizations – provide consumer advocacy, educational materials, product/service information

12. Exercising Consumer Rights Assignment • For the following agencies tell: • 1) What help is provided to consumers? • 2) The rights a consumer can exercise by using this website • Use these agencies • Federal Trade Commission – ftc.gov • Attorney General’s Office – ncdoj.gov • Pick a business and find details on its policies/warranties • Better Business Bureau – bbb.org • Complete in Microsoft Word and submit to Edmodo by end of class.

13. Bellwork 1-3 • A popular exercise machine was recalled after several consumers experienced injuries while using the equipment. Which federal agency recalled the product?  • A. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)  • B. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)  • C. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  • D. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)  • Which describes one way to make a direct complaint?  • A. Demand a full refund  • B. Find a salesperson to take your side  • C. Make a scene to attract the attention of the store manager  • D. State the problem clearly and concisely to an appropriate person  • What do the FDA and the USDA have in common?  • A. Both are state agencies.  • B. Both helped develop nutrition guidelines for preschoolers.  • C. Both regulate food products.  • D. They have nothing in common. 

14. How do you file a Complaint? • Contact a group that protects consumers rights such as: • Better Business Bureau (BBB) - A nonprofit organization sponsored by private businesses that attempts to settle consumer complaints against local businesses • Consumer Action Panel - A group formed by a trade association to address consumer complaints • File a written complaint • Components of a successful complaint • Greeting/salutation • Opening • Body • Closure

15. Exercising Rights Example • Example---exercising consumer rights after purchasing a car • You have worked with your local car dealer and the problem remains unresolved • Go to www.consumeraction.gov to consult the Consumer Action Handbook (published by the Federal Citizens Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration) to obtain contact information for automotive regional managers • Contact the manufacturer’s regional manager to request assistance. (The local dealer’s concern for profit may impair his/her ability to listen with an unbiased ear.) • Have your facts in order • Decide whether to register your complaint in person or by telephone, email, or letter • Be sure to include all essential components of an effective complaint---salutation/greeting, opening, body, and closure

16. Complaint Letter Assignment • Go to the website under Unit 6, 5.01 • Find “Complaint Letter Assignment” • Think of a time when you had bad service or a product that did not work. You are going to file a written complaint. • Follow the directions in the assignment and submit to Edmodo