1. Protecting the Consumer Consumer Laws

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

3. Consumer Laws Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 Consumer Protection Act 2007 Consumer Protection Act 2007

4. Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 1. Merchantable Quality 2. Fit for their purpose 3. As described 4. Correspond to sample 5. Suppliers of services must be qualified

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

6. Consumer Protection Act 2007 Protects consumers against false or misleading claims about goods or services Protects consumers against false or misleading claims about goods or services

7. Consumer Protection Act 2007 Forbids suppliers giving any misleading info about: Forbids suppliers giving any misleading info about: Goods Goods Services Services Price Price Quality Quality

8. Consumer Protection Act 2007 Goods on sale must have been on sale at the higher price for at 28 days in the previous 3 months. 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 Forbidden to publish any ad that is likely to cause loss, damage or injury to the public

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

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

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

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

13. Consumer Protection Agencies 1. Enterprise Ireland 2. Trade Associations 3. Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs 4. Small Claims Court 5. Consumer Association of Ireland 6. Office of the Ombudsman 7. Ombudsman for Credit Institutions 8. 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 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 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 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 These associations try to settle disputes between members and customers E.g. Irish travel agents association ITAA E.g. Irish travel agents association ITAA

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

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

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

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

20. 7. Financial Services Ombudsman Deals with complaints against banks and building societies. Deals with complaints against banks and building societies. Try to deal with the dispute with the bank before you call upon the ombudsman 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 Deals with complaints against insurance companies about overcharging and compensation payments

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