1. Unit 5- Be a Critical Consumer
Section 3.1 Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

2. Section 3.1 Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
Goals:
Describe each of your consumer rights and responsibilities.

3. Key Terms
Competition
Monopoly
Redress

4. What is Consumerism?
Consumerism seeks to protect and inform consumers by requiring such practices as honest advertising, product warranties and improved safety standards.

5. History of Consumer Rights
When do you think consumer rights became a necessity?
As the variety and complexity of products available to consumers in the marketplace because it became more difficult for consumers to protect themselves.
In 1962, John F. Kennedy (JKF) established a set of four fundamental consumer rights, later three more were added to creating our Consumer Bill of Rights.

6. Consumer Rights - Overview
What do we mean by “consumer rights”?
You expect fair value in exchange for the money you spend for a good or service.
You expect to be treated with respect & honesty by merchants.
You expect products you buy to be safe & reliable.
You expect a refund or exchange for a defective product.

7. Consumer Rights at work!
Allow for Competition: a contest among sellers to win customers.
Why is competition important?
It helps keep prices reasonable
Disallow for a Monopoly: a situation in which there is only one company that sells a specific product or service.
Gives the company an unfair advantage over competitors.

8. Consumer Rights & Responsibilities
Consumer Responsibilities
1. Right to Safety
Responsibility to Use Products Safely
2. Right to Be Informed
Responsibility to Use Information
3. Right to Choose
Responsibility to Choose Carefully
4. Right to Be Heard
Responsibility to Express Satisfaction or Dissatisfaction
5. Right to Redress
Responsibility to Seek Redress
6. Right to Consumer Education
Responsibility to Be an Educated Consumer
7. Right to a Healthy Environment
Responsibility to Contribute to a Healthy Environment