Consumer Rights

Week: 6 (Six)

Topic: Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

Meaning of consumer

A consumer is anyone who uses a commodity to satisfy a need or enjoys a service that meets the person’s heart desire. Some consumers use the commodity or service to meet a personal need they have (final consumers) while others use it to satisfy a need their organization has (organizational consumers).

 Meaning of Consumer Rights

These refer to those special treatments and privileges which belong to the consumer because the law said so. They are lawful provisions made to protect the consumer, give her or him value for money spent and stop producers and traders from taking advantage of the consumers. 

Origin of consumerism

Consumerism refers to theprotection and promotion of the rights of consumers. It involves efforts to ensure that buyers of goods and services are treated fairly, get value for their money and are protected from exploitation, substandard products, false advertising and harmful practices.

The beginning of consumerism as a movement can be traced down to late 19th century and early 20th century. However, modern consumerism started in the US in the 1960s. A former president of America, John F. Kennedy was the first to outline a law known as the Consumer Bill of Rights in 1962. This law became the foundation for global consumerism. In Africa, consumerism became active from the 1980s.

Eight Universal Consumer Rights

1. Right to safety: This is the consumer’s right to be protected from dangerous and harmful goods and services.
2. Right to be informed: This means the consumer has right to access accurate information about goods and services that will help in making informed choices.
3. Right to choose: The consumer has a right to make a choice from a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
4. Right to be heard: Consumers’ interest must be represented in decision making. It is the consumer’s right to be given an opportunity to report grievances in the consumption of goods and services.
5. Right to redress: It is a consumer’s right to be compensated fairly for faulty goods or unsatisfactory services.
6. Right to consumer education: A consumer has the right to acquire knowledge and skills to make informed choices.
7. Right to a healthy environment: The consumer has a right to live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to health.
8. Right to basic needs: The consumer is right to demand for access to essential goods and services like water, shelter and healthcare.

Meaning of Consumer Responsibility

Consumer responsibility refers to the duties and obligations of consumers to act wisely, fairly and with awareness when purchasing and using goods and services. It means being informed, making ethical choices and not misusing consumer rights.

Responsibilities of the Consumer

1. Being informed: This means knowing product details and how to use it.
2. Reading instructions and warnings in order to use products safely.
3. Using products as they are supposed to be used based on design.
4. Keeping receipts and documents which may be needed in cases of redress.
5. Speaking up or making a formal report when products have faults or when the consumer has become a victim of unfair practice.
6. Respecting the environment: Using products and disposing of packaging in a manner that does not do harm to the environment.
7. Paying for goods and services on time.

Homework

1. Talk to your parents about a time their rights as consumers were trampled upon. Advise them based on what you have learnt and write a report of your findings for submission.