The Consumer Flashcards
What is a contract?
An agreement that is intended to create legal rights and duties between its parties
What is a breach of contract?
When one party doesn’t do what they promised in the contract
What happens if there is a breach of contract?
- Court can force other person to do what they promised
- Cancel the contract
- Sue the other person
CPA
Consumer Protection Act
What does the CPA do
- Forbids automatic renewal of fixed-term agreements
- Right to cancel contract at anytime but still pay what needs to be paid
- If repairs are done - companies must provide estimate
- Consumer has right to high-quality products = All defects must be known
Guidelines for contracts
- T&C’s must be explained in language you understand
- ^ Read contract carefully
- Ask as many questions as possible
What is an exemption clause?
A clause that clears the party from any liabilities if he or she fail to honour the agreement or if the product does not serve its purpose.
- cannot exclude injury/death/defective goods
- Must be reasonable
Define direct marketing
To approach someone in person and promote goods
Examples of direct marketing
- Sales agent approaches customer
- Electronic means = SMS marketing or e-mails
Cooling-off period
- a period of time following a purchase when the purchaser may choose to cancel a purchase, and return goods which have been supplied
- Applies to goods, not services
- 5 days cooling-off period
- You may cancel without penalty
- Must be refunded within 15 days
What is unfair business practice?
- Fraud, misrepresentation, oppressive and unreasonable behaviour towards customers
Two acts that protect consumers
National Credit Act and CPA
What is a warranty
A written promise to replace or repair an item if it does not satisfy the consumer - it will be replaced or repaired free of charge
What is a guarantee?
A written promise that the quality and durability of a product will meet certain standards and if it does not you will get your money back
What are Grey Goods/Parallel imports
Products that imported into a country legally through unofficial distribution channels. It is legal since necessary duties are paid, but sold by unauthorised groups.
What are scams?
Fraudulent business deals that are often linked to organised crime
What is phishing?
An attempt to act as your bank and get your bank details
Tips to protect yourself against online scams
- Don’t open potential spam emails - delete them
- Don’t open attachments that may be from your bank
- Check bank and credit card statements regularly
- Ensure anti-virus and anti-spam software are updated
How credit card fraud can occur
- Card swapping
- Theft
- Card skimming
- E-mails claiming to be from credit card provider
How to prevent credit card fraud
- Never leave cards unattended
- Ensure you immediately get your card back
- Memorise your pin
- Destroy expired cards
- Destroy financial information
- Report lost/stolen cards immediately
What is identity theft?
- Someone stealing personal information and posing as you to do criminal acts
What are stokvels?
- A savings club
- They are legal
- A way to put money away each month
- Ensure you trust the people that are apart of it
- Ensure there are clear rules about the stokvel
What is a pyramid scheme?
- An illegal scheme where the person at the top enrolls people and promises them money for bringing in other people while there is no real investment or selling of goods happening.
What is Multilevel Marketing?
- The same as a pyramid scheme but with an actual income generated and real goods sold
What is revenue?
The total amount of income available to the government = often coming from taxes
What is Direct Tax?
The principle that people should contribute towards the wealth of the state
- Income and Property tax
What is income tax
- Tax levied on the income and profit that a taxpayer receives
- PAYE is implemented where employer takes from the balance of the employee’s income
- Provisional tax - For irregular income = Paid in 2 parts
Property Tax
- Taxes on ownership of property
- Based on market value of property
- Paid monthly or annually