Title: (Optional) Identify rights and responsibilities of consumers.
Course: Principles of Business and Marketing (12051-36) > Section: Making Sound Business Decisions

Identification should include the rights of consumers such as

- the right to safety (to be protected against products, production methods, and services that are hazardous to health or life)
- the right to be informed (to be given the facts needed to make informed choices; to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labeling)
- 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 be heard (to have consumer interests represented in the adoption and execution of government policy, and in the development of products and services)
- the right to redress (to receive fair settlement of just claims, including compensation for faulty goods, misrepresentation, or unsatisfactory services)
- the right to consumer education (to acquire knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about goods and services, while being aware of basic rights and responsibilities)
- the right to a healthy environment (to live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to the well-being of present and future generations)
- the right to satisfaction of basic needs (to have access to basic and essential goods and services: adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, and sanitation).

Identification should also include the following responsibilities of consumers:

- Inform oneself (While consumers have the right to be informed, they must also inform themselves to the best of their abilities about product and service knowledge.)
- Read and follow instructions (Products come with instructions, warnings and fine print. It is the consumer's responsibility to read all literature that comes with the product or service.)
- Proper use of products and services (In spite of reading instructions or warnings, many consumers misuse products intentionally.)
- Speak up (Consumers who feel they've been wronged by a business or organization have the responsibility to defend themselves.)
- Lawfully purchase and obtain goods and services (Consumer rights are void in many cases if a good or service is purchased illegally or in the way other than the way it was intended to be purchased.)

Process/Skill Questions:

- What is the consumer movement?
- What is included in the Consumer Bill of Rights?
- Why is it important to exercise one’s consumer rights?
- How do guarantees and warranties affect the rights of consumers?
- Why is it important to be a responsible consumer?