Chapter 9: Protecting the Consumer

1. Chapter 9: Protecting the Consumer Consumer Laws Ms.McGlynn

2. Reasons for Consumer Protection • Unsafe or Low Quality Goods • Overcharging and incorrect weights • Misleading Advertisements • Faulty goods • Slick sales methods, e.g. special offer Ms.McGlynn

3. Consumer Laws • Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 • Consumer Protection Act 2007 Ms.McGlynn

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 Ms.McGlynn

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

6. Consumer Protection Act 2007 • Protects consumers against false or misleading claims about goods, services and prices • E.g. stating wrong weight on product Ms.McGlynn

7. Consumer Protection Act 2007 • EU Directives concerning pyramid schemes • EU Directives on unfair, misleading or aggressive commercial practises. Ms.McGlynn

8. Consumer Protection Act 2007 • Deals with the National Consumer Agency • Informs consumers of their rights • Investigates complaints Ms.McGlynn

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

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

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

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 Ms.McGlynn

13. Consumer Protection Agencies • Enterprise Ireland • Trade Associations • National Consumer Agency • Small Claims Court/Procedure • Consumer Association of Ireland (CAI) • The Ombudsman: State, Financial, Insurance • The Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) Ms.McGlynn

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

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, SIMI Ms.McGlynn

16. 3. National Consumer Agency • Informs consumers of their rights. Publishes booklets advising consumers of their rights – publishes a shoppers’ rights card. • Enforces consumer laws – investigates complaints. Ms.McGlynn

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

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

19. 6. Office of the Ombudsman • Investigates complaints by members of the public against state organisations • E.g. government departments, HSE, An Post Ms.McGlynn

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 Ms.McGlynn

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

22. The MEDIA • Joe Duffy Show • Highlights complaints • Embarrasses people into solving the problem • The Consumer Show • Watchdog • Rogue Traders Ms.McGlynn