The Eight Consumer Rights

The consumer rights as enshrined in the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection dates as far back as 1962, when in the United States, President Kennedy in the House of Representatives (US Congress) enunciated the first four rights. The other four rights were adopted by Consumers International (CI) in1983. These rights are:

The Right to be Informed
            To be given truthful and honest information about the goods and services, stores policies, warranties, guarantees, labeling standards to assist the consumer in making wise purchasing decisions,

The Right to Choose
            To be able to select from a range of products and services offered at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.

The Right to Safety 
            To be protected against products and production processes which are hazardous to life and health

The Right to be Heard
            To complain to a retailer if one is dissatisfied about a product or service.

The Right to Satisfaction of Basic Needs
            To have access to basic essential foods and services; adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education and sanitation.

The Right to Redress
            The right to a fair settlement of just claims, compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services. Redress comes in four forms:

1. Refund – that is to get ones money back on the shoddy good or unsatisfactory service.

2.Repair – that is to have repairs made to faulty products

3 Exchange – that is to be able to exchange one product for another provided that the former is deemed to be faulty.

4.Credit Note – which is to be given an I-Owe-You note by the supplier of a product or service, if that product or service is shoddy or unsatisfactory.

The Right to Consumer Education
            The right to acquire the knowledge and skills to be an informed and assertive consumer while being aware of basic consumer rights and responsibilities and how to act on them

The Right to a Healthy Environment

            The right to live and work in an environment, which is non-threatening to the well being of present and future generations.

CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibility to protect oneself by:

           Shopping carefully and wisely
           Understanding the terms of a transaction
           Reading and following instructions
           Getting warranties in writing
           Saving receipts/bills
           Asking questions at point of sale
           Keeping informed about new products and services

The Responsibility of carrying out transactions in a business like manner, such as reporting unsatisfactory products to retailers and manufacturers in order that they may be removed from shelves and future production.

The Responsibility to tell other consumers about any unfair treatment by a retailer or manufacturer so consumers could protect themselves in future transactions.

The Responsibility to report apparently unsafe merchandise to Consumer Protection Agencies so that they could be tested and if necessary, removed from the market or be specifically labeled.

The Responsibility to maintain and preserve a healthy environment for future generations.

The Responsibility to demanding the best value for money