Chapter 9: Protecting the Consumer

1. Chapter 9: Protecting the Consumer Consumer Laws

2. Reasons for Consumer Protection • Unsafe or Low Quality Goods • Overcharging and incorrect weights • Misleading Advertisements • Slick sales method

3. Consumer Laws • Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 • Consumer Information Act 1978

4. Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 • Merchantable Quality • Fit for their purpose • As described • Correspond to sample • Suppliers of services must be qualified

5. It is the seller's responsibility to put things right if there are problems.

6. Consumer Information Act 1978 • Protects consumers against false or misleading claims about goods or services

7. Consumer Information Act 1978 • Forbids suppliers giving any misleading info about: • Goods • Services • Price • Quality

8. Consumer Information Act 1978 • Goods on sale must have been on sale at the higher price for at 28 days in the previous 3 months. • Forbidden to publish any ad that is likely to cause loss, damage or injury to the public

9. Food Labels • Clear, legible and understood • Show name of food • Show actual selling price • Show use by, sell by and best before date.

10. Bar Codes • Series of lines on goods that allow computers to identify products • Scanned at check outs • Less mistakes • Records stock

11. Symbols • Symbols of quality • It tells the buyer that the good is of good quality

12. Unit Pricing • Unit pricing shows the price per kilo/litre • It enables a consumer to decide what is the best value. • Food labels must show the price per kilo/litre rather than overall price. • Consumers can compare prices the best prices per kilo/litre rather than total price by using the formula • Price ______ Quantity

13. Consumer Protection Agencies • Enterprise Ireland • Trade Associations • Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs • Small Claims Court • Consumer Association of Ireland • Office of the Ombudsman • Ombudsman for Credit Institutions • Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland

14. 1. Enterprise Ireland • State Organisation that sets new standards for safety and quality of new goods & services and issues reports • Operates the National Standards Authority of Ireland NSAI

15. 2. Trade Associations • Suppliers of goods and services are members of organisations which lay down standards of conduct for their members • These associations try to settle disputes between members and customers • E.g. Irish travel agents association ITAA

16. 3. Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs • Enforces the Consumer information act 1978 • Publishes booklets advising consumers of their rights

17. 4. Small Claims Court • Deals with consumer claims up to €2,000 • Handles claims speedily – no solicitors needed • Fee of €15 • Need to settle dispute with seller before going to the small claims court

18. 5. Consumer Association of Ireland • Voluntary Body • Advises consumers about goods and services and laws affecting them • Consumer Choice magazine

19. 6. Office of the Ombudsman • Investigates complaints by members of the public against state organisations • E.g. government departments

20. 7. Ombudsman for Credit Institutions • Deals with complaints against banks and building societies. • Try to deal with the dispute with the bank before you call upon the ombudsman

21. 8. Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland • Deals with complaints against insurance companies about overcharging and compensation payments

22. The MEDIA • Joe Duffy Show • Highlights complaints • Embarrasses people into solving the problem