CONSUMERS’ CHALLENGES AND RIGHT

MEANING OF CONSUMER.

A consumer is a person who buys goods and services for personal consumption. Any body who
buys and uses goods and services is a consumer. However, its good to be intelligent and wise in
choosing any item to be bought. Also, it is important for a consumer to know his or her rights and
responsibilities in buying goods and services.

RIGHTS OF THE CONSUMERS

Consumers’ rights are known as consumers’ guarantees/ assurance. Therefore, the consumers
have the following rights:

1. The right to basic needs: Basic need rights guarantee survival, adequate health and sanitation,
education, freedom, etc. The consumers need to seek for quality and not quantity of goods and services.

2. The right to safety: Safety of goods and services to customers should be protected. That is: hospital,
good roads, pipe borne water, electricity, etc. Commodity purchased should be protected from
hazardous effects, and should be safe for consumption.

3. The right to information: It is the right to be protected from false and misleading claims in
advertising and labelling practices. Before buying any product, read the label carefully to know how to
use it and study the guides and the manufacturer’s manual because appropriate information on any
product should be given by the producer and service providers. You have the right to be informed.

4. The right to choose: Consumers have the right to choose products at competitive prices with an
assurance of satisfactory quantity. Ensure the price, quality and the services are considered before
making a purchase. The consumer should not allow the seller to force any product on him or her.

5. The right to be heard: The consumer should be allowed to express his or her views about the
available goods and services before buying product for personal use.

6. The right to be redress: This is an act of seeking compensation for a misleading information given to
a consumer on goods and services provided. The consumer has the right to be compensated for
misrepresentation. However, the consumer receives a fair settlement of just claim including
compensation of unsatisfactory goods and services rendered.

7. The right to education: Consumers have the right to be well informed, educated and knowledgeable.
Consumers need to read newspaper, listen to radio and watch television.

CHALLENGES OF FACED BY CONSUMERS

a. False jingle

b. Unwarranted pressure on consumers

c. Unfair sales techniques

d. Ignorance on the part of consumers.

e. Fraudulent practices through advertisement

 REDRESS OF THE CONSUMER OPTION

Redress is the act of compensating someone monetarily for damages or losses. It is also an act
of settling right to an unjust situation.

Redress options of the consumer include:

a. warranties

b. guarantee

c. customer service

d. alternative dispute resolution

e. legal redress.

PROCEDURES FOR SEEKING REDRESS

Consumers who are not satisfied with services rendered to them by their service providers have
the right to lodge a complaint to the commission. The following are the procedures:

a. Complainants are advised to first seek redress with the service providers whose services or products
the consumer is not with.

b. One can go to the commission in person to lodge the complaint.

c. One can file complaints through the website

d. If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved by the service provider, then the consumer can lodge his or
her complaint to the Consumer Industrial and Public Affairs Commission.

e. Writing a letter to the commission.