What are consumer rights ,what are the problemsfaced by the consumer,who is a consumer,with eg?

Question

i am a10th sTD STUDENT I WANT TO KNOW MORE DETAILS ABOUT CONSUMER RIGHTS ,ITS FUNCTIONING, PROBLEMS FACED BY A CONSUMER WITH EXAMPLES

Answer 1

Goods should be of satisfactory quality and as described:-

The Sale of Goods Act 1979 ensures goods should be of satisfactory quality and fit to do the job intended for them. Fit for purpose means both generally e.g. hi-fi speakers should play music but also specifically for any purpose you've asked. E.g. if you've asked ‘will they fit my Hitachi Hi-fi?', and been told yes, but it doesn't then it wasn't fit for the purpose specified.

Examine goods and complain immediately:-

The amount of time you have to check whether goods are faulty depends on what is reasonable for that product. E.g. it takes longer to check a speedboat than a kettle. However in truth you really should try and complain within a week. Do that and you are entitled to a full refund.

Leave it longer and providing the goods were faulty when you bought them your right to a full refund may be lost. However you're still entitled to a replacement, a reduction, or a credit note.

Proving goods were faulty when you bought them:-

Where the goods are faulty, take them back within 6 months and the shop has to prove they WERE NOT faulty when you bought them. After 6 months you must prove they WERE faulty when you bought them.

By law you have up to six years to make a complaint, but this doesn't mean goods must last six years, they must last what most people would consider to be a ‘reasonable' length of time. So if there is wear and tear that breaks the product then the likelihood is you have no claim. Yet if it was an unreasonable fault, you do.

If there is an argument over whether the goods are faulty or not – the burden of proof is on the consumer.

If you knew the goods were faulty when you bought them.

If you've seen them anywhere else cheaper.

If you bought the goods for the wrong purpose.

However, though you don't have a right this doesn't mean you shouldn't ask. Many shops will allow it.

Credit Cards are better than debit cards:-

This may surprise you, but you have more rights if you spend on a credit card than you do on a debit card, cash or cheques. Now don't rush to hock everything onto a card costing a fortune in interest, but do consider some planning for the best of both worlds.

This right is for those who have no debts or can at least pay a specific card off in full each monthl, that way there's no interest charged, so you can get the benefit of extra rights without any cost (there are other benefits too such as earning cashback, cheaper spending when abroad, special protection for web spending and ID fraud protection too)

It's all about section 75 protection:-

Don't worry it's not going to get too complicated. All this stems from Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which is about 'credit giving' cards, and that's why this protection is sexily named "Section 75".

As when you spend on a credit card, you're effectively entering into an arrangement to borrow (even if you pay off in full) then you get these rights, and this is why you don't get the same rights with debit cards.

The Core Rule is if you pay for goods worth over £100 even partially on a credit card then the credit card company is equally liable with the retailer. That means if you have a problem such as non-delivery of goods, or with any of your above statutory rights, then you can go straight to the credit card company rather than the retailer. This is often extremely useful, as the retailer may've gone bust, or be being obstructive.

Recently it was challenged in court that this protection didn't apply if you're buying goods abroad, yet the Court of Appeal upheld consumers' rights. So buy abroad and you're protected. That means, if something goes wrong with a good bought abroad, you can simply make a claim directly against the credit card company, without contacting the foreign company.

Food quality

The food should be of satisfactory quality, this includes being hot when it's hot food. If it isn't you can claim a full or partial refund depending on the problem. You may want to report them to your local Environmental Health Department, as improperly cooked food, or food served at the incorrect temperature, may pose a health risk.

The food should be as described

Home made should be home made – if not it's actually a breach of criminal law under the trades descriptions act. And it's a breach of contract so you could fairly deduct the value of the difference between home made and manufactured cost.

Service charges

You do not have to pay service charges. And if the service charge is included in the food – you are legally entitled to deduct a reasonable amount if the service was not as expected – say 10% - 15%.

What if they say ‘pay or we'll call the police'?

If you feel forced into paying then pay ‘under protest' and then you can dispute the cost later and make a claim later. This way if you feel they're going to call the police you are protected against such things.

Toilet facilities

All restaurants should provide toilets for their staff and wherever possible for customers as well. Premises that are open after 11pm or have a drinks licence must have toilets.

Tap water

Restaurants, shockingly, don't have to provide tap water to the public but if they do they may charge for it. However it is illegal for them to pretend it is bottled water.