Chapter 12 - Protecting The Consumer

Question 1

What does consumer mean?

Answer 1

A person who buys goods or services for their own use

Question 2

What is false economy ?

Answer 2

We buy something that cost less than other brands or seems to be better value but more expensive in the long run (e.g. buying a cheap battery that costs 50c and last 3hours instead of a better brand of battery that costs 1euro but lasts for 10hrs)

Question 3

What caveat emptor mean

Answer 3

Let the buyer beware

Question 4

What does an informed consumer do?

Answer 4

-check for value and quality -shops around
- keeps receipts
- is aware of legal rights under consumer law
- does not buy impulsively

Question 5

What are illegal shops notices ?

Answer 5

1. No money refunded
2. Credit note only
3. No liability accepted for faulty goods
4. Goods will not be exchanged

Question 6

Name the three acts -

Answer 6

Sale of goods and supply of services act 1980
Consumer protection act 2007
Consumer rights act 2022

Question 7

What must goods be under the sale of good and supply or services act 1980?

Answer 7

Good must :
-be of merchantable quality
- be fit of purpose
- as per sample
- be as described

Question 8

What must services be under the sale of goods and supply of services act 1980?

Answer 8

Services must:
- be provided by someone with the necessary skills and qualifications
- material used in the provision of the service must be of merchantable quality
- be provided with the proper care and diligence

Question 9

What are the three R ‘s

Answer 9

Refunds , replacement or repairs

Question 10

What does the consumer protection act 2007 provide :

Answer 10

Provides consumer protection by dealing with misleading claims about themselves, goods, services and prices
- themselves - cannot say it is ‘irelands oldest bakery’ unless it really is Ireland’s oldest bakery
- goods - a business cannot claim that a product will remove acne when there is no scientific proof it can
- services - cannot claim that a service is available throughout the county when it is only available in cork and Galway
- prices - can out put up a sign ‘was 100 now 50’ unless the item was on sale at the higher price in the same location for at least 28 consecutive days within the previous 3 months

Question 11

What does the consumer protection act 2007 provide ?

Answer 11

Dealing with misleading claims about themselves , goods, service and prices
Protection against unfair practises

Question 12

Consumer rights act 2022 -

Answer 12

The right to return something because you change or mind - cooling of period of 14 days , if you cancel your order because you change your mind you might have to pay for the costs of returning it.

The right to return something that is faulty - the business has to pay for any return shipping costs

Question 13

What are agencies that help the consumer ?

Answer 13

The competition and consumer protection commission (CCPC)
The consumer association of Ireland (CAI)’
The office of the Ombudsman
The small claims procedure

Question 14

What is the small claims procedure?

Answer 14

If a consumer or business purchases a faulty good or receives a poor quality service and cannot get any satisfaction from the retailer or other business they can use the small claims procedure
- application 25 euro
- max amount of compensation is 2,000 euro