UNIQUE FRIENDS SCHOOLSA consumer is a person that buys and uses a commodity produced by another person. Most consumers do not produce and that is why they consume most of the goods they have.There are some consumer rights and they are as follows:
A. Safety: The consumer has the right to safety while enjoying a product. The product must be hygienically packed.
B. Satisfaction of basic needs: There must be satisfaction on the part of the consumer while using a product.
C. Redress: The consumer has the right to seek redress if he feels cheated by the producer.
D. Representation to be heard: Consumers have groups that represent them so as to lodge complaints or make their observation known.
E. Information: The consumer has the right to get adequate information necessary for deriving maximum satisfaction from the product he bought.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Consumer protection is the various ways and methods that government and the private organizations ensure that consumers are not cheated or exploited by the producers and middlemen and that they derive satisfaction from the consumption of goods and services they pay for. The consumer must be aware of the latin expression “caveat emptor”, which means “buyers beware”.
REASONS FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION
A. Substandard goods or low quality goods.
B. Misleading or false advertisement.
C. To ensure maximum satisfaction.
D. Regular supply of goods.
E. Inadequate instructions or direction.
SOME AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION
A. Consumer Association.
B. Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
C. Ministry of Trade and Industry.
D. Price Control Board (PCB).
E. Manufacturers Association (M.A).
CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Think independently: The consumer should not be carried away by the advertisement on the product by the manufacturer. He should know the quantity of what he wants to purchase.
B. Beware: the consumer should check the product he wants to buy thoroughly to know if it is the original and at the right place.
C. Demand and keep proofs of transactions: Documents like receipts, invoice warranty, pay slip are proofs that transactions took place between the seller and the consumer. These documents should be kept for future purposes.
D. Respect the environment: The consumer must make sure that the environment is not littered with wastes of the products he has used.