HOME ECONS JSS3 WK4 NOTE

 Date: 12th October, 2022

 Topic : Consumer Challenges and Rights 

        A consumer is a person or any person who purchases and uses goods and services to satisfy personal or household needs. Goods are objects or items such as bread, food ,clothes etc. Services are work performed by one person for another person e.g hair cuts,medical services ,sewing a dress for someone ,dental care etc.

                Rights Of the Consumer 

       The consumer is entitled to the following rights 

1. The right to safety 

2. The right to choose what he/she wants 

3. The rights to redress 

4. The right to be informed about the goods and services being paid for. 

5. The right to be heard.

6. The right to consumer education.

               Challenges of the Consumer.

       Challenges or problems of the consumer includes;

1. Lack of information about some of the goods and services available for consumption. 

2. Hazards of wholesome ,unsafe and poor quality products. 

3. Influence of massive advertisement of goods and services 

4. Too many brands of the same goods and services in the market. The consumer is faced with the problem of choosing from so many goods and services. 

5. Activities of unscrupulous businessmen or traders who sell unsafe ,fake or substandard goods and services. 

6. Dealers association who practice monopoly and intimidate consumers.

            Responsibilities Of the Consumers 

      The consumer has the responsibility to be 

I. Honest who's is to be truthful in making purchases .

II. Responsible: to be able to read and follow manufacturer's instructions 

III. Courteous, polite and respectful to the trader 

IV. To be considerate 

V. Keep warranty cards and use it when necessary.

            Redress Options For Consumers 

   Redress means the opportunity to seek solution to a problem if a consumer has problems with a product or goods already purchased e.g if a person buys a car, bag,dress or other article and gets home to discover that it has a fault and does not work, going back to the dealer to complain and ask for a replacement is the act of seeking redress.

            Procedure For Seeking Redress 

      In situations where goods purchased has a warranty for a given time such as 2years, the consumer can return the good if it becomes faulty with the 2years period. If such case happens, the following should be observed.

I. Note the date when the guarantee expires.

II. If it has not expired, take the goods or items back to the dealer with the warranty card.

III. Demand for  compensation.

Assignment.

List the government agencies responsible for seeking redress and explain their function.