Consumer Conflict Flashcards
What are the initial steps for resolving consumer complaints?
Know rights; use receipt; act promptly; complain; track complaint
What is the small claims procedure?
€25 fee; up to €2,000; to solve an unresolved consumer conflict
What does an Ombudsman do?
Investigates consumer complaints against public bodies
What are the functions of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (2014)?
Informing the consumer, enforcing consumer law, conducting research, educating the consumer, advising the government, protecting consumers from market dominance
How does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission enforce consumer law?
Issues compliance notices and fines, uses ‘name and shame’
What resources does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission provide?
Financial calculators, mortgage comparisons on website
What does the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 state about goods?
Merchantable quality for its given price; conforms to sample used to sell it; fit for purpose; as described in advertisement or description
What does the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 state about services?
Provider is qualified/has necessary skills; due care is taken; all tools used/goods given are of merchantable quality
What are guarantees in consumer protection?
Additional protection given to the consumer on top of legal rights
What signs limiting consumer rights are prohibited?
Cannot display a sign reducing legal rights (e.g. ‘No refunds’)
What are unsolicited goods?
Goods sent to a person that they did not order
Who is responsible for fixing consumer issues?
Retailer, not the manufacturer, is responsible for fixing the consumer’s issues
What redress is available for consumers?
Cash refund for complaining promptly; replace product with new or similar model; repair product
What does the Consumer Protection Act 2007 say about false claims?
Cannot sell counterfeit items as real items; cannot lie about origin; cannot lie about an award received; cannot lie about previous usage
What does the Consumer Protection Act 2007 say about misleading advertising?
Advertising of false prices; must be truthful about current price, previous price, and recommended retail price in any comparison
What practices are prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act 2007?
Aggressive selling practices; harassment, coercion, or undue influence to get someone to buy something
What are pyramid schemes?
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
What can the government do regarding price controls?
Government can impose a maximum price on certain goods in an emergency situation
What is one function of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission?
Informing the consumer
What does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission do to enforce consumer law?
Issues compliance notices and fines, uses ‘name and shame’
What type of research does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission conduct?
Research into consumer issues
How does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission educate consumers?
Provides information online and on social media accounts
What role does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission play in advising the government?
Highlights issues facing consumers and suggests law changes
How does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission protect consumers?
Protects consumers from firms dominating a market
What tools does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission provide to help consumers?
Financial calculators, mortgage comparisons on website
What does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission research to help consumers?
Consumer behaviour and outcomes to help consumers realise possible savings/improvements available
What does the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission examine to maintain fair competition?
Potential mergers and acquisitions to reduce likelihood of monopolies
