Objective 5.00 Understand Consumer Rights, Responsibilities and Information.

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 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. Kennedy in a message to Congress in 1962. 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 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 be safe • Right to be informed • Right to choose products and services • Right to be heard • Right to redress • Right to consumer education • Right to service • Right to a healthy 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 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

6. Exercising Consumer Rights and Responsibilities • 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 • To protect their rights in the marketplace, consumers should:

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

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? www.consumerreports.org

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