Consumer Studies

• Rights Of The Consumer :

  • The right to choose
  • The right to safety
  • The right to value for money
  • The right to redress
• A consumer is someone who buys goods or uses services
• Needs are things you can not live without e.g water
• Wants are things we can live without but want to have e.g jewelry
• Consumer Responsibilities :

  • To know your rights
  • To complain if the good or service was not up to standard
  • To Educate yourself about you rights and consumer law
  • To read labels and follow instructions on the good
• Sources of Consumer Info :

  • TV Advertising
  • Radio
  • Salespeople
  • Other consumers
• Consumer Law :

  1. Consumer Protection Act 2007
  2. Sale of goods and supply of services act 1980
• Consumer Protection Act 2007 protects the consumer about false or misleading information about a good, service or price. It protects against false or misleading claims against price, previous price and RRP.
• Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 states the good should be of merchantable quality, fit for purpose, same as sample and as described.
• A guarantee is an agreement between the consumer and the manufacturer stating the good will be of a certain quality for a certain period of time.
• Why do consumers need protection?

  • to stop manufacturers taking advantage of the consumer
  • to protect the right of individual consumers
  • to make sure the consumer can get their redress
• The Small Claims court was set up to deal with claims that are less then 2,000. You don't need a lawyer meaning it is also less expensive.
• CCPC enforces law to protect the consumer, informs the consumer about their rights and is a free helpline for consumers
• ASAI monitors advertising, promotes truthfulness and decency when advertising and investigates complaints about false advertising made by the public.
• Qualitly control is make sure that the products are of a certain quality and that they are safe to use
• Quality Marks :

  • Guaranteed Irish - made in ireland and is good quality e.g pottery
  • Q mark - made ireland and both service and good is of high standard e.g food products
  • Woolmark - made from 100% wool