Chapter 5- Your Consumer Rights

Question 1

What are the two main laws that protect Irish consumers?

Answer 1

The Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980.

Consumer Protection Act 2007.

Question 2

What are the 3R’s?

Answer 2

Only with faulty product:
Refund: money back,
Replacement: new product,
Repair: fixed for free.

Question 3

Refusing a credit note:

Answer 3

Credit note: receipt given when consumer returned goods, offset against future purchases (in shop).
Can only refuse one if good doesn’t meet 1980 Act requirements (3R’s can be requested).

Question 4

What are the responsibilities of sellers?

Answer 4

Complaints dealt with by seller, not manufacturer (contract).
Respect consumers’ rights.
Signs limiting responsibility ‘no refunds’ prohibited.
Guarantees and warranties only add to consumer rights.

Question 5

Guarantee VS. Warranty:

Answer 5

Guarantee: promise by manufacturer or company to sort out product of service problems within fixed amount of time, free.

Warranty: like an insurance policy, additional charge.

Question 6

According to the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980, what must goods be when bought from a retailer?

Answer 6

Of merchantable quality.
Fit for purpose intended.
As described.
Conform to sample shown.

Question 7

Merchantable quality:

Answer 7

Good: undamaged, usable and reasonably quality considering price.
E.G.: Raincoat shouldn’t have rips or holes.

Question 8

Fit for the purpose intended:

Answer 8

Good: do what expected.

E.G.: Kettle must boil water.

Question 9

As described:

Answer 9

Good: match description given by salesperson, packaging, brochure, or advert.
E.G.: Waterproof coat must not let in water.

Question 10

Conform to sample shown:

Answer 10

Good: if bought from sample, must be the same as sample.

E.G.: Roll of wallpaper bought from a sample must be same as sample.

Question 11

According to the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980, what must services be provided by/with when bought from a retailer?

Answer 11

Someone with necessary skills and qualifications.
With proper care and attention.
Materials of merchantable quality.

Question 12

Necessary skills and qualifications:

Answer 12

Hairdresser cutting your hair in hairdressers, must be properly trained with correct qualifications.

Question 13

Appropriate care and attention:

Answer 13

Plumber fixing your tap must pay attention and take care when carrying out service.

Question 14

Materials of merchantable quality:

Answer 14

Electrician fixing light fitting must use good quality wires and materials that do correct job.

Question 15

What does the Consumer Act 2007 protect consumers from?

Answer 15

It protects them regarding misleading claims about goods, services and price.

Question 16

Misleading claim about goods:

Answer 16

Claim that product was made in Ireland but actually made in China.

Question 17

Misleading claim about services:

Answer 17

Claim that service is available throughout country when it’s only available in Dublin and Cork.

Question 18

Misleading claim about prices:

Answer 18

Recommended retail price, previous prices and actual prices must be truthful.

Question 19

What are the three unfair commercial practices?

Answer 19

Misleading- giving false info to deceive- saying product has won awards when it hasn’t.
Aggressive- physical force or influence use to make consumer purchase- mechanic carrying out extra work and making customer pay.
Prohibited- telling consumer they’ve won a prize then demanding payment to claim it.