Transcript Consumer Rights And Responsibilities 1

Consumer Rights And
Responsibilities
1-Name the seven rights of consumers
2-List the basic responsibilities of a
consumer
3-Explain how you can conserve
resources.
4-Describe ways you can learn
consumer skills
Being a smart consumer
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Why is it important?
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AS a consumer, you have rights about the
safety and the quality of the products you
buy. Along with those rights, you also
have responsibilities to choose and use
products wisely.
KEY WORDS
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Consumer rights
Consumer movement
Product liability
Bait and switch
Fraud
Pollution
Conservation
Recycling
boycott
The Consumer Bill of Rights
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President John F. Kennedy
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(CONSUMER BILL OF RIGHTS).
Bill stated that consumers have 4 basic
rights!
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Right to be informed
Right to choose
Right to safety
Right to be heard
Consumer Movement
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Consumer movement- a movement to
pass laws protecting consumers from
unfair and unsafe business practices
This movement created 3 more rights
for us as consumers! They ARE:
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Right to have problems corrected
Right to consumer education
Right to service
Right to Be Informed
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Each and every consumer can only
make the right decisions if and only if
they have the correct information.
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EX. Drug Companies
Clothing Companies
Right to Choose
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The United States is a Market Economy
therefore each person has the right to
choose from any (legal) product they
want.
Competition means Choice!!!! And the
lack there-of would hurt the consumer.
Antitrust laws stop monopolies from
forming or to break them up.
The Right to SAFETY!!
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Federal Laws ensure that clothing, food, toys and
other items won’t harm consumers.
The legal that manufacturers have to make a safe
product is called:
PRODUCT LIABILITY
Drugs must be tested and proven
safe, Tools and appliances must
have safety devices and all
products must have instructions
for correct and safe operation.
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Right To Be HEARD!
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If you have a problem with a product you
have the right to complain and be heard!
Businesses must also comply with regulations
regarding price and quality.
BAIT AND SWITCH-advertising an item
at a low price to lure you in then a
salesperson will tell you they are out of
the item and talk you into a more
expensive item.
FRAUD
Deliberately misleading business
practices.
Right To Have Problems
Corrected
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Customer Service Departments
Always communicate your problem
clearly, concisely, and courteously to
speed up the solution
Right to Consumer Education
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You should be able to get the best value and
greatest satisfaction for you money.
Comparison Shop is a value of your right to
consumer education.
Consumer reports and consumer
organizations provide consumers with
information so they can make educated
choices.
RIGHT TO SERVICE
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Consumers have the right to be treated
in a respectful and courteous manner.
Products must meet the standards that
manufacturers and businesses claim
You also have the right to be served
without discrimination
ASSIGNMENT
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What is a manufacturer’s legal
responsibility to make a safe product
called?
What is Bait and Switch?
Name some sources of consumer
education.
ASSIGNMENT CONTINUED…
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Regulations for automobile safety belts, air
bags, antilock brakes, food and drug labels,
and unleaded gasoline are responsible for the
prevention of injury, illness, and the loss of
life. Choose one of the topics mentioned
above or another of their own choosing and
research what effects the regulation has had
on consumer safety. Write a 250 word report
explaining your answer.
Your Responsibility
As A Consumer
Along with your rights comes
RESPONSIBILITIES!
 Responsible consumers know what
they’re buying and know how to use the
products they buy.
 Always read the Consumer Product
Safety Commission(this tells you how a
product is rated on safety, performance,
and value.)
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The Responsibility to
choose Carefully
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Responsible consumers make
comparisons to find the best product or
service at the best price.
What is the best guarantee?
Which product has the best record for
reliability?
What product best fits your budget.
Always make an educated choice!!!
Choose carefully by:
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Avoiding Pollution! (pollution is the
most serious concern facing consumers
because of the effects on the
environment)
Pollution-contamination of air, water,
and land. It is caused by waste from
products as well as the ways we use
those products.
Choose carefully….
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Conserving Resources: Population has
grown and people have increased their
demands for all kinds of resources.
Conservation- the process of
preserving, protecting, and planning the
management of resources.
Choose carefully…
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Recycling- involves collecting products
for processing so that they can be used
again.
learn to avoid waste!
The Responsibility to Use
Products Safely
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Speak Out! Let the company know if
you do not approve of its products or
policies. Report unfair, unsafe, and
illegal business practices
Boycott- or refuse to buy goods or
services. Do this if you object to a
company’s policies or products.
Seek Remedy!
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Be a good consumer and get the best value
for your money. Seek remedy for a defective
product. If you are exchanging a product it is
your responsibility to bring the receipt, the
item, and any warranties or guarantees that
came with the item. If the store can not
solve your problems it is your Responsibility
to contact the manufacturer.
Responsibility to Learn
Consumer Skills
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Follow these steps to become a responsible
consumer:
Read information on labels and packages.
Compare prices at different stores and look
for sales.
Pay attention to the media to become aware
of illegal practices
Read consumer information publications
Attend classes or workshops on consumer
issues and problems
Assignment
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Why is it important to read product
Labels?
Would you choose not to buy a
manufacturer’s products for ethical
reasons?
Do you have the responsibility to report
illegal business practices?