CONSUMER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Caveat Emptor

Mechanics SoundPERSONAL CONSUMER RATING

PERSONAL CONSUMER RATING

On question #1, give yourself five points if you selected something to do with your money that is consistent with your goals and values in life.

  Give yourself two points for each question you answered, as follows: #2—yes #6—yes #10—yes #3—yes #7—no #11—yes #4—yes #8—yes #12—yes #5—yes #9—no #13—yes #14—yes   25-31 points Great! Keep up the good work! 19-25 points Fair. You should begin to make some changes. 14-19 points Not too good. Consider making some big changes Less than 14 Take good notes during this unit, you'll need them!

RIGHT TO CHOOSE A variety of products Competitive prices No monopolies

Responsibility to choose carefully Practice comparison shopping Consider the cost Research variety of places, items,

magazines Refuse to buy

LAB NEXT TIME – INFO TO KNOW How to compare shop for the best buy Price / Size = price per

ounce/sheet/bag… Popcorn A $3.20 / 6 bags = .53 per bag Popcorn B $2.00 / 8 bags = .25 per bag

Which is the better buy?

RIGHT TO INFORMATION Accurate information to make free

choice Protected against fraudulent,

deceptive, and misleading informationResponsibility to seek information and

use it to make wise decisions Use available information Seek accurate information Ask questions & understand

RIGHT TO SAFETY Government Protection Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC) Assume product will perform as intendedResponsibility to use products

safely Read information Read & follow instructions Read & heed to any warning labels

RIGHT TO BE HEARD Complain BBB (Better Business Bureau) Consumer Protection Agency

Responsibility to speak up Speak up to let likes & dislikes known Complaint letters Support reputable businesses

RIGHT TO REDRESS Consumers have the right to resolve

consumer problems in any case of dissatisfaction

Responsibility to Seek Redress Make suggestions Seek satisfaction Speak up when errors occur

RIGHT TO SERVICE Consumers may expect convenience,

courtesy, and responsiveness to consumer needs and problems

Responsibility to be Alert Expect good service Compliment service where

appropriate

RIGHT TO CONSUMER EDUCATION Without consumer education

consumer cannot gain the full benefits of the other seven consumer rights

Responsibility to Study Become more informed about how to

get money’s worth Learn how to assert all the consumer

rights

SMART By Shel SilversteinMy Dad game me one dollar bill ‘cause I’m his smartest son,And I swapped it for 2 shiny quarters ‘cause 2 is more than 1.

And then I took the quarters and traded them to Lou for 3 times –I guess he don’t know that 3 is more than 2.

Just then, along came old blind Bates and just ‘cause he can’t see,He gave me 4 nickels for my 3 dimes, and 4 is more than 3.

And I took the nickels to Hiram Coombs Down at the seed-feed store, and the fool gave me 5 pennies for them, and 5 is more than 4!

And then I went and showed my Dad, and he got red in the cheeks and closed his eyes and shook his head –Too proud of me to speak! Watch your vocabulary back!

GUIDELINES1. Think about what you NEED before you buy. (Think about specific features and requirements that are important to

you.)2. Compare stores3. Compare brands, prices, and quality before making a selection.4. Check for any extra charges.5. Read and understand the warranty.6. Written contracts when purchasing large items and read the contract

terms carefully.7. Read and follow the use and care guides.8. Keep all sales receipts, warranties, and instructions.9. Understand the store's refund or exchange policy.10. Check your bill for accuracy.11. Before purchasing anything from a company, check out its reputation.12. Do not pay for items or services until they are acceptable to you.13. Avoid telephone sales.14. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality.15. Calculate the cost per unit (unit pricing) to determine the best purchases.16. Consumers are responsible to protect themselves against fraud.

CAVEAT EMPTOR – CAREAT VENDITOR Work On This Assignment

FRAUDUnfair & Deceptive Selling Methods

UTAH STATE LAWS AGAINST FRAUD Indicating a warranty that does not exist Selling an item as free when purchased in

conjunction with another item & then raising the price of the other item

Saying that repairs are necessary when they are not

Saying repairs have been made when they have not

Telling a consumer they have won a contest when they have not

PYRAMID SCHEMES Illegal scams in which large numbers of

people at the bottom of the pyramid pay money to a few people at the top.

HOME IMPROVEMENT FRAUD Will approach homes that obviously need

repairs Make sure contract is written and put every

promise in writing. Never pay the cost of the entire job before

work is completed (10-30% reasonable) Never release final payment until job is

complete Check with BBB for complaints After job is complete, they will claim there

has been a misunderstanding & the customer owes a lot more money than was originally quoted.

VACATION FRAUD Offering FREE trips

These end up very costly once you pay all of the conditions that are attached

Prevention: Use a contract!

MECHANIC FRAUD Have car checked before leaving on

vacations! Get a second opinion if you are away

from your usual mechanic. http://www.knbc.com/video/9152183/de

tail.html#

TELEPHONE FRAUD Americans lose an estimated $1 million

every hour to investment fraud promoted over the phone.

Hang up when it sounds to good to be true

Never give you credit card number Ask the solicitor for the name, address,

and phone for the company Be wary of unknown charities

HEALTH & NUTRITION FRAUD Promise of weight loss, adding years to

their lives, curing ailments, and providing higher nutritional benefits.

EMAIL FRAUD http://www.myfoxprovidence.com/myfo

x/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=FF367C18B2BF9BD0FFC0ED76CC94EF43?contentId=4947703&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

LEMON LAW Consumers who buy a new automobile

or motor home with significant defects that cannot be repaired, or is a lemon, can obtain relief, through a cash refund or replacement

COOLING-OFF When a consumer buys an item at

home or at a location that is not the seller’s regular place of business, the consumer has 3 days to cancel that purchase if the cost was $25 or more.

The consumer’s opportunity to cancel for a full refund extends until midnight of the third business day

Set by Federal Trade Commission (FTC)