1. Chapter 9: Protecting the Consumer
Consumer Laws

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

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

4. 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

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

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

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

8. 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

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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

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

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

20. 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

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

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