Most Americans are concerned with the reliability of products and services they use. Many private groups and government actions, like the “lemon law” in the Cover Story above, work to ensure the well-being of consumers. Consumers themselves, however, must be proactive in their buying habits. You’ll learn how consumerism, a movement to educate buyers about the purchases they make and to demand better and safer products from manufactures, affects you personally.
Consumer Rights.
Since the early 1960s consumerism has grown steadily. Businesses can no longer assume it is buyer’s responsibility to know whether a product is safe, food is healthful, o advertising is accurate. In 1962 President John F. Kennedy sent the first consumer protection message to Congress. He stated four consumer rights:
· The right to safety – protection against goods that are dangerous to life or health
· The right to be informed – information for use not only as protection against fraud but also as the basis for reasoned choices
· The right to choose – the need for markets to be competitive (have many firms) and for government to protect consumers in markets where competition does not exist, such as electric service
· The right to be heard – the guarantee that consumer interests will be listened to when laws are being written
President Richard Nixon later added a fifth right:
· The right to redress – the ability to obtain from the manufacturers adequate payment in money or goods for financial or physical damages caused by their products.
Help for Consumers.
Using President’s Kennedy’s list, Congress passed consumer-protection legislation. Today, consumers dissatisfied with a specific product can complain to the store manager or write to the manufacturer. They also may take the case to small claims court or hire a lawyer. In addition, many private and government agencies are available to help consumers.
Among the private groups that aid consumers are local citizens’ action groups and local chapters of the Better Business Bureau. Many major cities and some smaller ones have Better Business Bureaus. The bureaus give consumers information on products and selling practices and help settle disagreements between buyers and sellers.
Numerous federal agencies also have programs to aid consumers. States also have consumer affairs councils or agencies.
Consumer Responsibilities.
You have consumer responsibilities as well as rights. If a product or service is faulty, it is the consumer’s responsibility to initiate the problem-solving process. The Office of Consumer Affairs suggests that you do the following:
[1] Report the problem immediately. Do not try to fix a product yourself, because doing so may cancel the warranty.
[2] State the problem and suggest a fair and just solution – replacement, refund, etc.
[3] Include important details and copies of receipts, guarantees, and contracts to support your case.
[4] Describe any action you have taken to try to correct the problem.
[5] Keep an accurate record of your efforts to get the problem solved. Include the names of people you speak or write to and the dates on which you communicated.
[6] Allow each person reasonable time, such as three weeks, to solve the problem before contacting another source.
[7] If you need to contact the manufacturer in writing, type your letter or send an E-mail directly. Keep a copy.
[8] Keep cool. The person who will help you solve your problem is probably not responsible for the problem.
Another responsibility of consumers is to exhibit ethical behavior by respecting the rights of producers and sellers. For example, a responsible consumer will not try to return a used item because it has been advertised elsewhere for a lower price.
Consumerism: movement to educate buyers about the purchases they make and to demand better and safer products from manufacturers.
Ethnical behavior: acting in accordance with moral and ethical convictions about right and wrong
Federal Agencies and Consumerism
Agency
How it Helps the Consumer
Consumer Information Center Program
Provides free catalog of government publications on consumer topics.
Federal Trade Commission
Promotes competition by enforcing laws against monopolies, price fixing, false advertising, and other illegal business practices; regulates labeling of products and protects the public against violations of consumer credit laws.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Protect the public against unreasonable risk of injury from consumer products; sets product safety requirements, forbids the production and sale of dangerous consumer products, and conducts research and education programs on safety concerns for industry and the public.
Government Printing Office
Sells more than 15,000 government publications on a wide variety of topics; lists those of interest to consumers in a free booklet, Consumer Information Subject Bibliography.
U.S. Postal Service
Through its Inspection Services, protects public from mail fraud and other violations of postal laws; through Consumer Advocate’s office, acts on complaints and provides information on schemes used to cheat the public.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Inspects and grades meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables through the department’s Food Safety and Quality Service; ensures that food production is sanitary and that products are labeled truthfully.
U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs (Department of Health and Human Services)
Coordinates all federal activities on behalf of consumers, advises President on consumer affairs, and works for and testifies on behalf of consumer legislation; the Complaint Coordination Center helps solve consumer problems.
Food and Drug Administration (Department of Health and Human Services)
Protects the public against impure and unsafe foods, drugs, and cosmetics; researches and tests new products in these areas and ensures accurate labeling; publishes FDA Consumer magazine and maintains regional consumer affairs offices.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Department of Transportation)
Sets requirements for automobile safety, maintenance, and fuel economy; tests products for compliance; researches ways to save fuel and make highways safer; investigates complaints from consumers about vehicle safety.
I. Define the term:
Ø Consumerism;
Ø Ethnical behavior.
II. Answer the question:
1) What private and federal help can you receive as a consumer?
