The Consumer

• Consumer


  anyone who buys goods or services for their own use
• Good


  something you can touch or see
• Service 


  something that is done for you
• Being an informed consumer

  • Avoid impulse buying
  • Being aware of rights and responsibilities
  • Being aware of consumer agencies
  • Avoiding a false economy
  • Keeping proof of purchase
  • Being aware of the environment
  • Reading lables
  • Staying safe online
• Right


  something you are legally entitled to
• Responsibility


  a duty or an obligation
• Must be of merchantable quality


  means the good must be of reasonable quality, safe to use and work properly, taking into account the price paid and the use
• Must be fit for purpose intended


  the item must do what it is supposed to do
• Must conform to sample displayed


  If a consumer is shown a model of the product in the shop and they choose to purchase the product the item they buy should be the exact same as the model
• Must be as described


  the good must match the description given by the salesperson, in a brochure or advertisement
• Must be supplied by a skilled and qualified service provider


  the service provider should have the correct skills and qualifications to do the job they are carrying out
• Must show proper care and attention


  must deliver the service properly and not be distracted
• Must be of merchantable quality (materials/parts used)


  all goods/materials/parts used in the provision of the service should be of a fit condition
• Repair


  the product will be fixed by the retailer or manufacturer free of charge
• Refund


  the retailer or manufacturer gives the consumer a full refund
• Replacement


  the retailer or manufacturer gives the consumer a replacement of the product
• Information about products or services should be accurate and should not be false or mislead the consumer in any waty
• Information about prices should not be false or mislead the consumer in any way. Prices should be stated clearly and inclusive of any extras
• Sellers cannot make false or misleading statements about their goods/services
• Sellers cannot put pressure on the consumer to buy
• Advertisements cannot mislead consumers or contain false information
• Consumer responsibilities

  • Be aware of after-sales service
  • Pay the agreed price
  • Be an ethical consumer
  • Be aware of consumer agencies
  • Know how to make a complaint
• the Competition and Consumer Protection Comission

  • enforces consumer protection and consumer law
  • protects the interests of the consumer
  • provides the consumers with information and educates them
  • makes Ireland a better place to do business
• The Advertising Standard Authority for Ireland

  • set up by the advertising industry
  • ensures that all advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful
  • monitors advertisements and provides pre-publication advice
  • deals with complaints about advertisements and publishes adjudications
  • provides advice to the industry on complying with the Code
• the Small Claims Court

  • cheap, fast and easy
  • judge listens to both sides and makes a decision
  • maximum compensation is 2000 euro
• European Consumer Centre Ireland

  • support for consumers who have bought goods or services in another EU member state
  • provides free information, advice and assistance to consumers
• Positive impacts of buying online

  • online consumer protection agencies
  • it is convenient
  • they can use contactless payment methods
  • online shops do not close
  • technological advances have made goods cheaper
• Negative impacts of buying online

  • risk with tracing, cyber security and payment details
  • transport and packaging have a negative environmental impact
  • it can be more difficult to return goods
  • technology has replaced human workers causing unemployment