1. Consumer Economics Chapter 10 Sustainability and Safety
Copyright©2009 Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2. Learning Objectives
Discuss sustainability issues, product life, and disposal decisions
Explain the value of warranties and guarantees
Discuss examples of products that may cause injury and harm
Explain what the US Consumer Product Safety Commission does
Know how to minimize susceptibility to frauds

3. Introduction Many consumer complaints involve faulty products
Product disposal has many consequences
Sustainable behavior is a complex behavior

4. Consumer Product Use and Nonuse
Disposition can occur before, during, and after use
Underutilization is where consumers use a product but only a fraction of what they intend
Compulsive hoarding is a serious consumer problem
Corporate Social Responsibility describes companies behaving in a socially responsible way

5. Warranties and Guarantees
Perceptions and Realities
Consumers consider warranties when they decide to buy
Extended Warranties and Service Contracts
The FTC usually handles complaints

6. Top Consumer Complaints
Auto
Home improvement/construction
Credit/debt
Retail sales
Services
Utilities
Landlord/tenant
Home solicitations
Internet sales
Health products/services
Fraud: bogus sweepstakes & lotteries, work-at-home schemes, grant offers

7. Injuries Product Safety: How to improve product safety?
Risks & Factors in Product Safety
Consumer Product Safety
Toys, Baby Equipment, Sports Equipment
Toy-related Injuries to Children
Advertising and Children’s Products

8. Vehicle Safety, Repair, & Warranties
Vehicle Repair: Nine steps to follow
Vehicle Warranties: How to get the most

9. The Built Environment and Remodeling
Remodeling and sustainability
Home improvement professionals
Where to complain
Where to find help

10. Federal Aviation Administration
Travel: The role of the FAA
Consumer alerts

11. Unordered Merchandise
Only two kinds of merchandise can be sent to consumers without their consent:
1. Free samples clearly marked as such
2. Merchandise from charitable organizations

12. Chapter Summary What lasts and consumer safety are covered
Good decisions and good disposition are covered
Fraud and scams are ubiquitous
Consumers can take a variety of actions