Consumer Studies Flashcards
What is a consumer?
A person who buys goods & or uses services.
What are the rights of consumers?
Consumers are entitled to information, choice, quality, safety, and redress.
What does the right to information entail?
Consumers have the right to honest accurate information to compare items.
Example: Based on qualities.
What does the right to choice mean?
Consumers have the right to pick a product/service from a wide variety that best suits their needs.
Example: Budget.
What is meant by the right to quality?
All goods/services should be of high standard regardless of price.
What does the right to safety involve?
Goods & services should not harm a person’s health or put life at risk.
What is redress in consumer rights?
Consumers are entitled to request a refund, repair, replacement, or redo if goods/services are not of good standard or faulty.
What are the responsibilities of a consumer?
Consumers must gather information, shop around, examine goods, read instructions, and complain if goods/services do not meet expectations.
How can consumers gather information about goods/services?
Consumers can use TV, internet, newspapers, and product labels.
What does the Sale of Goods & Supply of Services Act 1980 cover?
It covers merchantable quality, fit for purpose, as described, and guarantees for goods and services.
What are guarantees in consumer rights?
Extra protection that promises to fix faults within a certain time, e.g., 12 months.
What are illegal signs in consumer rights?
Signs that give the impression that consumer rights are limited, such as ‘no refunds’.
What does the Consumer Protection Act 2007 do?
It protects consumers from misleading claims about goods & services and prevents misleading information about prices.
What does the Electronic Commerce Act provide?
It protects consumers shopping online, including a cooling-off period of 14 days.
What are statutory consumer protection agencies?
Ombudsman, Citizens Information Board, CCPC, National Standards Authority of Ireland, Small Claims Court.
What is the role of the Ombudsman?
To step in if a consumer cannot resolve an issue with a public body, as a last resort.
What does the Citizens Information Board provide?
Information & advice on consumer rights and support for budgeting services.
What does the CCPC do?
Informs consumers of their rights, advises the government, and conducts consumer research.
What is the role of the National Standards Authority of Ireland?
Establishes & enforces quality & safety standards in Irish Industry.
What are voluntary consumer protection agencies?
Consumer Association of Ireland (CAI) and Advertising Authority of Ireland (ASAI).
What does the Consumer Association of Ireland do?
Publishes unbiased information on consumer rights and lobbies for improvements in legislation.
What is the role of the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland?
Ensures adverts are legal, honest, and truthful.
What is the Small Claims Procedure?
A process for consumers to resolve issues with businesses, with a maximum claim of 2k.
What factors affect consumer choices?
Income, personal preferences, health status, packaging, and values/beliefs.
