1. Objective 5.00 Understand Consumer Rights, Responsibilities and Information.
5.01-A Students will be able to understand the rights and responsibilities of consumers.

2. Essential Questions What basic consumer rights are protected by law?
What adjective describes
these bananas?
What basic consumer rights are protected by law?
What does it mean to be a responsible consumer?

3. Rights of consumers were first identified by President John F
Rights of consumers were first identified by President John F. Kennedy in a message to Congress in Later presidents have added additional rights to this “Consumer Bill of Rights.”
Activist against corporate carelessness and greed, Ralph Nader brought attention to products that were not safe for consumers. He gained national attention in 1965 with his book, “Unsafe at Any Speed”. Known as “Father of the Consumer Movement”

4. Rights of Consumers Right to redress Right to be safe
A basic set of protections, agreed upon by society and written into law, apply to purchases of merchandise and services in the United States. These rights of consumers include:
Right to redress
Right to consumer education
Right to service
Right to a healthy environment
Right to be safe
Right to be informed
Right to choose products and services
Right to be heard
Responsibilities of Consumers
Types of activities a consumer is expected to perform as part of a purchase decision. Each consumer responsibility parallels a consumer right.
To use products safely
To find and use information
To choose purchases carefully
To speak up
To seek redress
To learn
To reward good service
To promote a healthy, caring relationship with the environment

5. Responsibilities of Consumers
Types of activities a consumer is expected to perform as part of a purchase decision. Each consumer responsibility parallels a consumer right.
To seek redress
To learn
To reward good service
To promote a healthy
& caring relationship with the environment
To use products safely
To find and use information
To choose purchases carefully
To speak up

6. Exercising Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
To protect their rights in the marketplace, consumers should:
Be their own advocates
Look out for their own interests as a consumer with rights
Be aware of the steps to take to resolve problems with products/services
Be aware of organizations that assist consumers in resolving complaints
Know when to seek help

7. Exercising Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
Sources of consumer protection
Government agencies- --federal and state
Merchant services
Consumer advocate groups

8. Federal Laws/Agencies That Protect
Clayton Antitrust Act
Clean Air Act
Clean Water Act
CPSA-Consumer Product Safety Act
EEOC-Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
EPA- Environmental Protection Agency
FCC- Federal Communications Commission
FDA – Food and Drug Administration
FLSA – Fair Labor Standards Act
FPLA -Fair Packaging & Labeling Act
FTC -Federal Trade Commission
ICC -Interstate Commerce Commission
NLRB - National Labor Relations Board
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Patent and Trademark Office
Robinson-Patman Act
IRS -Internal Revenue Service
TILA - Truth in Lending Act
UCC –Uniform Commercial Code
USDA - United States Dept of Agriculture
USPS – United States Postal Service

9. Other Advocates
Justice Department - Enforces the laws to maintain free trade
BBB -Better Business Bureau
Consumer Reports
Local News Connects
Ex: Action 9
Angie’s List

10. Research Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is published by Consumer’s Union, which is one example of a consumer advocacy group.
Where else might you go to get consumer information before making a purchase?
What is a consumer advocate?
(websites, brochures, magazine articles, etc.)
Other sources

11. Exercising Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
Greeting/salutation
Opening
Body
Closure
Components of a successful complaint letter
Refer to Sample Letter