Chapter 9: Protecting the Consumer Consumer Laws

Reasons for Consumer Protection Unsafe or Low Quality Goods Overcharging and incorrect weights Misleading Advertisements Slick sales method

Consumer Laws Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 Consumer Information Act 1978

Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 Merchantable Quality Fit for their purpose As described Correspond to sample Suppliers of services must be qualified

It is the seller's responsibility to put things right if there are problems.

Consumer Information Act 1978 Protects consumers against false or misleading claims about goods or services

Consumer Information Act 1978 Forbids suppliers giving any misleading info about: Goods Services Price Quality

Consumer Information Act 1978 Goods on sale must have been on sale at the higher price for at 28 days in the previous 3 months. Forbidden to publish any ad that is likely to cause loss, damage or injury to the public

Food Labels Clear, legible and understood Show name of food Show actual selling price Show use by, sell by and best before date.

Bar Codes Series of lines on goods that allow computers to identify products Scanned at check outs Less mistakes Records stock

Symbols Symbols of quality It tells the buyer that the good is of good quality

Unit Pricing Unit pricing shows the price per kilo/litre It enables a consumer to decide what is the best value. Food labels must show the price per kilo/litre rather than overall price. Consumers can compare prices the best prices per kilo/litre rather than total price by using the formula Price ______ Quantity

Consumer Protection Agencies Enterprise Ireland Trade Associations Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs Small Claims Court Consumer Association of Ireland Office of the Ombudsman Ombudsman for Credit Institutions Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland

1. Enterprise Ireland State Organisation that sets new standards for safety and quality of new goods & services and issues reports Operates the National Standards Authority of Ireland NSAI

2. Trade Associations Suppliers of goods and services are members of organisations which lay down standards of conduct for their members These associations try to settle disputes between members and customers E.g. Irish travel agents association ITAA

3. Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs Enforces the Consumer information act 1978 Publishes booklets advising consumers of their rights

4. Small Claims Court Deals with consumer claims up to €2,000 Handles claims speedily – no solicitors needed Fee of €15 Need to settle dispute with seller before going to the small claims court

5. Consumer Association of Ireland Voluntary Body Advises consumers about goods and services and laws affecting them Consumer Choice magazine

6. Office of the Ombudsman Investigates complaints by members of the public against state organisations E.g. government departments

7. Ombudsman for Credit Institutions Deals with complaints against banks and building societies. Try to deal with the dispute with the bank before you call upon the ombudsman

8. Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland Deals with complaints against insurance companies about overcharging and compensation payments

The MEDIA Joe Duffy Show Highlights complaints Embarrasses people into solving the problem