CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES Business & Personal Finance The marketplace is full of deceptive and misleading promotions that induce consumers to buy goods and services of inferior quality.
Download ReportTranscript CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES Business & Personal Finance The marketplace is full of deceptive and misleading promotions that induce consumers to buy goods and services of inferior quality.
CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES Business & Personal Finance The marketplace is full of deceptive and misleading promotions that induce consumers to buy goods and services of inferior quality or things they do not really need or want. Deception Occurs when false or misleading claims are made about the quality, the price, or the purpose of a particular product. PREVENTION is still the best safeguard against financial misfortune. Fraudulent and Deceptive Marketing Practices Bait and Switch • An illegal technique in which a seller advertises a product with the intention of persuading consumers to buy a more expensive product. Fake Sales • A merchant advertises a big sale but keeps the items at regular price or makes the price tags look like a price reduction. LowBalling • Advertising a service at an incredibly low price to lure customers and then attempt to persuade them that they need additional services. Pyramid Schemes Pigeon Drop Fraudulent Representation • Mostly multilevel marketing plans that promise distributors commissions from their own sales and those of other distributors they recruit. • Refers to any method used by experienced con artists to convince vulnerable people to invest in phony investments, swampland real estate, or other swindles. • Telephone or door-to-door solicitations made by people who claim to represent well-known companies or charities. Health and Medical Product Frauds Infomercials • Deceptive advertising for expensive “miracle” pills, creams and devices to enhance a consumers health and beauty. • A lengthy paid TV advertisement that includes testimonials, product demonstrations, and presentation of product features. Internet Fraud • False advertisements • Fake websites Telemarketing Fraud • “free” prize • Give credit card number Being a Responsible Consumer Identify Deceptive Practices Shop Smart Online Shopping Stay Informed Seek Redress Shop Smart Shop at several stores Be aware of prices Understand sale terminology Avoid impulse buying Plan you purchases Compute unit prices Read Labels Check containers carefully Read contracts Keep receipts and warranties Compute total cost Ask for references Be loyal Check up on businesses Wait a day for major purchases Online Shopping Shop at secure websites Check the website address Research the website before you order Read the websites privacy and security policies Shop safely Share only the essentials when you order Print and keep the confirmation order Know shipping and return policies Use common sense Stay Informed Be familiar with sources of information Read warranties and guarantees Read and understand care instructions Analyze advertisements Know consumer protections laws Inform consumer protections agencies of fraudulent or unsafe products or services. Keep good records or complaints, defective products, actions taken, etc. Seek Redress A remedy to a problem Take the product back to the store where you bought it. Calmly explain the problem to the salesperson. Stay firm but not angry Say that you are dissatisfied and explain why If you are not satisfied with the managers remedy, put your complaint in writing to the store’s owner or headquarters. Send photocopies of evidence Sales receipts Warranties If you are still dissatisfied with the result, file a complaint with the appropriate government agency for consumer protections. Finally, you may need to seek legal recourse.