Consumer Conflict

Question 1

What are the initial steps for resolving consumer complaints?

Answer 1

Know rights; use receipt; act promptly; complain; track complaint

Question 2

What is the small claims procedure?

Answer 2

€25 fee; up to €2,000; to solve an unresolved consumer conflict

Question 3

What does an Ombudsman do?

Answer 3

Investigates consumer complaints against public bodies

Question 4

What are the functions of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (2014)?

Answer 4

Informing the consumer, enforcing consumer law, conducting research, educating the consumer, advising the government, protecting consumers from market dominance

Question 5

How does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission enforce consumer law?

Answer 5

Issues compliance notices and fines, uses ‘name and shame’

Question 6

What resources does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission provide?

Answer 6

Financial calculators, mortgage comparisons on website

Question 7

What does the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 state about goods?

Answer 7

Merchantable quality for its given price; conforms to sample used to sell it; fit for purpose; as described in advertisement or description

Question 8

What does the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 state about services?

Answer 8

Provider is qualified/has necessary skills; due care is taken; all tools used/goods given are of merchantable quality

Question 9

What are guarantees in consumer protection?

Answer 9

Additional protection given to the consumer on top of legal rights

Question 10

What signs limiting consumer rights are prohibited?

Answer 10

Cannot display a sign reducing legal rights (e.g. ‘No refunds’)

Question 11

What are unsolicited goods?

Answer 11

Goods sent to a person that they did not order

Question 12

Who is responsible for fixing consumer issues?

Answer 12

Retailer, not the manufacturer, is responsible for fixing the consumer’s issues

Question 13

What redress is available for consumers?

Answer 13

Cash refund for complaining promptly; replace product with new or similar model; repair product

Question 14

What does the Consumer Protection Act 2007 say about false claims?

Answer 14

Cannot sell counterfeit items as real items; cannot lie about origin; cannot lie about an award received; cannot lie about previous usage

Question 15

What does the Consumer Protection Act 2007 say about misleading advertising?

Answer 15

Advertising of false prices; must be truthful about current price, previous price, and recommended retail price in any comparison

Question 16

What practices are prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act 2007?

Answer 16

Aggressive selling practices; harassment, coercion, or undue influence to get someone to buy something

Question 17

What are pyramid schemes?

Answer 17

Bans schemes where people buy in at a certain level and recruit more people to buy in below them in order to profit from them

Question 18

What can the government do regarding price controls?

Answer 18

Government can impose a maximum price on certain goods in an emergency situation

Question 19

What is one function of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission?

Answer 19

Informing the consumer

Question 20

What does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission do to enforce consumer law?

Answer 20

Issues compliance notices and fines, uses ‘name and shame’

Question 21

What type of research does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission conduct?

Answer 21

Research into consumer issues

Question 22

How does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission educate consumers?

Answer 22

Provides information online and on social media accounts

Question 23

What role does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission play in advising the government?

Answer 23

Highlights issues facing consumers and suggests law changes

Question 24

How does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission protect consumers?

Answer 24

Protects consumers from firms dominating a market

Question 25

What tools does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission provide to help consumers?

Answer 25

Financial calculators, mortgage comparisons on website

Question 26

What does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission research to help consumers?

Answer 26

Consumer behaviour and outcomes to help consumers realise possible savings/improvements available

Question 27

What does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission examine to maintain fair competition?

Answer 27

Potential mergers and acquisitions to reduce likelihood of monopolies