Transcript Consumer, Recalls, & Redress

Consumers & The Economy
Economic Roles
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Consumer: Someone who uses goods
and services.
Worker: Producer of goods or provider
of services
Citizen: Votes, has rights of the
country, pays taxes
The Consumer Movement
What and why was there a consumer
movement?
 Growing
 Desire
consumer awareness of problems
for greater protection
Basic Definitions
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Goods:
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Services:
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Physical objects that are produced for
consumers
Actions that are performed for someone
Consumer advocates:
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Those that work for consumers
Books that made a difference
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The Jungle: Meat plants = Meat
Inspection Act of 1906
Your Money’s Worth: Show misleading
advertising affects
Silent Spring: Showed pesticides affects
= many environmental laws
Unsafe at Any Speed: Defects in cars
Compare Rights with
Responsibilities: With Rights
come Responsibilities!
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Safety
Be Informed
Choose
Be Heard
Redress
Consumer Education
Service
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Use products safely
Use information
Choose carefully
Speak up
Seek compensation
Learn
Reward good service
Consumer Protection Statutes
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Laws passed to protect you, the consumer
Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act
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How drugs are dispensed
List every ingredient on label
Child Protection and Toy Safety Act
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Amendment to Federal Hazardous Substances
Act
Toys must be safe
Protection Acts Continued
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Equal Credit Opportunity Act
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Fair Packaging & Labeling Act
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Equal chance at credit
Enable consumer to obtain quantity of contents
Not lie about how product works
Consumer Credit Protection Act
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Garnishment rules
Cannot be fired because of bad credit
Better Business Bureau
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Non-profit business handles more
customer complaints than all other
agencies
Easily accessible, everywhere
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616-774-8236
Encourages honest business practices
Informs consumer about integrity of
businesses
Private Sources of Consumer
Protection
This services provide difficult-to-obtain
information:
CU: Consumers Union of the U.S., Inc.Publishes tests & ratings of products in
CONSUMER REPORTS
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Has world’s largest testing lab!
Independent part of the government
Government Agencies
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USDA – US Department of Agriculture
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Supports rural development, food safety,
nutrition and research
In charge of national land and reduce hunger
CPSC – Consumer Product Safety
Commission
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Created 1972 to protect “against unreasonable
risks of injuries associated with consumer
products
Government Agencies
Continued.
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FTC – Federal Trade Commission
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FDA – Food and Drug Administration
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Regulate national advertising
Try to preserve competition
Safety and effectiveness of all drugs, biologics,
vaccines, and medical devices
SEC – Securities & Exchange Commission
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Promote full disclosure and protect investors
More Government Agencies
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OCA – Office of Consumer Affairs
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EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
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Protect against fraudulent, deceptive, and
illegal practices
Enforces environmental laws and provides
information
? Others ?
Recalls
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recalls.gov
Find information about all recalls
HW: Find 10 items in your home to check
 Your car needs to be 1, no more then 2
cars checked
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Letter of Redress
Writing a Letter of Redress
(obtaining restitution)
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First try and resolve issues in person or over
the phone.
If attempt fails, WRITE!
Important:
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Keep copies of letter sent
Send COPIES, not originals of documentation
(receipts, cancelled checks, contracts, etc.
Send letter certified mail, return receipt requested
Elements of a Complaint
Letter
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Salutation (greeting)
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Opening (1st paragraph)
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Address your letter to the appropriate
person, at the right level
Identify the product & problem clearly
Give date & place of purchase, model
number, and the price.
Body (2nd paragraph)
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Explain steps you have taken and how you
want the issue resolved, politely
Elements continued…
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Close (3rd and last paragraph)
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Set a time for resolution to occur before
you will seek other assistance. Include a
way for you to be contacted:
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Phone
Email
Your Letter of Redress due
tomorrow
Review
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Wednesday & Thursday
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Think of something that has gone wrong
Write a letter of Redress
Look up recalls