1. Your Rights and Responsibilities
Consumer Issues
Your Rights and Responsibilities

2. Did you know…?
30% of 8-17 year-olds say they are involved in making family purchasing decisions. How many of you are involved?

3. What Are My Rights? Key Terms
Consumer – one who uses goods or services.
Recall – when a manufacturer asks for a product to be returned due to a quality, safety, or performance issue.
Redress – action taken to remedy a wrong.
Right – a privilege that is entitled to you and that the law will uphold.
Responsibility – a task that a person is obligated to carry out and complete.

4. What Are My Rights?
CONSUMER RIGHTS (for each of the rights below, provide an example on your sheet.
The right to choose.
The right to be heard.
The right to be informed.
The right to redress.
The right to safety.
The right to consumer education.
The right to service.

5. What Are My Responsibilities?
CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES
To be alert and aware.
To be wise with purchasing decisions.
To use products properly.
To make reasonable complaints.
To use ethical consumer behavior.

6. Think About It
Sacrifice – giving up an item, money, value for another item, money or value that you feel has more value or claim at that moment.
Cost per use – the cost calculation that is based on number of times the product is used.

7. Think About It Cost Factors Can I afford it?
Is it worth the cost per use?
Is the quality worth the cost?
Are the additional hidden costs that go with the product reasonable?
If buying it now and paying for it with credit, is it worth the extra cost of the credit?

8. Think About It Product Information Factors
Is this the best time of year to buy this type of product?
What do I know about the product?

9. Think About It Personal Factors Is it a need or a want?
Will it be worth the financial sacrifices that I will need to make in order to purchase it?

10. Think About It Quality Factors
Will it be something I can use for a long period or time?
Will it break or wear out too soon?

11. Buy Me, Buy Me!
“On average a teen spends $74 in a given week. Older teens spend more than younger teens in a week. Males and females average spending the same amount in a given week.” NAA Business Analysis and Research Department, Newspaper Association of America
29% of teens research a product online before making a retail purchase. Jupiter Research

12. Buy Me, Buy Me!
Generic – a product without a known brand name that generally includes the same ingredients but may have different proportions.
Guarantee – when a company assumes responsibility for the quality of a product.
Hidden costs – costs that aren’t obvious and that aren’t added into the cost of an item.

13. Buy Me, Buy Me! Consider the following factors:
Quality of the product.
The cost of the product.
Warranty or guarantee.
Hidden costs.
Brand name of the product.
The media.
Label information.
Peers or family.
Sales associates.
An appeal to the senses.

14. Words to Know
Endorsement – expression of approval or support, usually by a celebrity or authority figure.

15. Can I Take It Back?
Be sure to consider the following factors before you buy anything.
Be aware of the store’s return policy before making a purchase.
Return purchase promptly, unused, and in the original container.
Internet and mail order purchases usually require a return authorization prior to the item being returned. You may have to pay shipping. Most stores require a sales receipts for a cash refund.

16. Can I Take It Back?
Stores may not give a cash refund for a purchase paid for by check if it is less than ten days from the purchase date.
In-store credit is sometimes given for a similar merchandise that was purchased in another store.
A restocking fee is sometimes charged, especially in the electronics and computer areas.

17. Can I Take It Back?
Many software packages can’t be returned if opened.
A store may have a maximum number of days that they allow for an exchange or refund.
Stores going out of business typically post “all sales final” and do not allow for an exchange or refund.
Some returns are limited if a product is on “final markdown”.

18. Let’s Save Some Money!
To use coupons successfully you should do the following:
Follow the guidelines stated on the coupon.
Use a coupon if it saves you money on the purchase of a product you were going to buy anyway.
Consider using a coupon if it allows you to try a product or different brand.

19. Let’s Save Some Money!
Use a coupon if it allows you to buy a better quality of product at the same cost you usually spend.
Use a coupon if it allows extra savings due to a store’s promotion of additional savings on the product.

20. On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions:
Identify 2 products that might have a “cost per use” price. HINT: What items might you buy to use for a short period of time.
What is the difference between a generic product and a brand name product?
Identify 4 things that you need to consider when you are buying something.
What types of items may not be able to be returned after the packaging is opened?
What does “all sales final” mean?
What does “final markdown” mean?
What is in-store credit?
What is a restocking fee?
Stores may not give a cash refund for a purchase paid for by check if it is less than ____________ days from the purchase date.
How can you use coupons successfully?

21. Consumer right and responsibilities activity
If you have questions, please ask.