WEEK2: UNIVERSAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CONSUMER

                                CIVIC EDUCATION     

TOPIC: UNIVERSAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CONSUMER

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Describe a consumer
2. Defineuniversal rights of a consumer
3. Explain consumer responsibilities
4. Mention five universal rights of a consumer
5. Enumerate five responsibilities of a consumer

WHO IS A CONSUMER? A consumer is a person who buys and uses products and services provided by a producer or supplier. Also, a consumer could be seen as a personwho buys a commodity from another person.

WHAT IS UNIVERSAL RI GHTS OF A CONSUMER?They are rightsof  consumer to have full access to use and enjoy goods and services provided by the producer or supplier and also protect him/her from being exploited.

UNIVERSAL RIGHTS OF A CONSUMER

1. The right to satisfaction of basic needs: This is the first universal consumer right which provides for survival, adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education and sanitation.
2. The right to safety:This is the second universal consumer right which does not allow marketing of goods or the provision of services that are dangerous to health and life. Thus, consumer’s safety is assured.
3. The right to information:This third consumer right protects the consumer against dishonest advertising and guarantees him/her the basic facts and information needed to make a wise choice.
4. The right to choose:The fourth consumer right is the right to choose products at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.
5. The right of representation to be heard:This fifth consumer right enables the consumers to express their interests and views through organised group in the making and executions of government policies. That is to say, the government should put the interest of consumers into consideration in making its policies
6. Right to redress:The sixth consumer right is the rights to be compensated for unsatisfactory services and inferior goods or damages inflicted from their use.
7. The right to consumers education:This seventh  right of  a  consumer enables him/her  to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed customer
8. The right to a healthy environment:This consumer right is the right to live work in an environment that is neither threatening nor dangerous, and which guarantees a life of total wellbeing.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONSUMERS

The responsibilities of consumer are actions which consumers should take to protect their interests.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ACONSUMER

1. Beware:It is the responsibility of the consumer to be fully conscious and well informed of the products he/she is purchasing. He should be able to know the use and content of the product, how to use or care for it. The consumer can get all necessary information be carefully reading  the labels or instructions labelled on the packet of the product,
2. Demand and keep proofs of transactions:It is the responsibility of the consumer todemand for evidence and proofs of any transactions he/she engages with the seller/supplier. Whenever the consumer purchases any product, irrespective of the quantity involved, he/she should demand for invoices, which would specify the quantity bought, price, the discount if any, the total amount paid and if there is balance unpaid, it should be indicated in the invoice.

Where payments are made, the consumer should demand for both receipts showing quantity purchased.If there is any warranty or guarantee, the consumer has the responsibility to demand for all these proofs and keep them secured. This is important, should the product purchased turn out to be a defective one, the consumer can go back to the seller/supplier with the receipt and other documents and make a complaint at the customer care service. He can request for a replacement or refund depending on what he wants.

3. Think Independently:The consumer should not act under the influence of either the firm, producer, supplier or even co-buyers. The consumer should know what he/she wants and should understand what he/she is buying, rather than depending or being influenced by what the firm, producer or supplier says. The consumer should think and act independently based on what he/she wants.
4. Speak out/be bold:The consumer has the responsibility to speak out or voice out his/her feelings and interests to be heard by the relevant authorities. Consumers have the responsibility of organising themselves into a registered, recognised and organised labour or trade group. As a co-ordinated group, they can express their goals, feelings, interest and clear programmes through appropriate medium to the relevant authorities. Thus, they should not keep quiet on issues affecting them.
5. Respect the environment: It is the duty of the consumer to be conscious of the kind and extent of pollution occurring in his immediate environment. This would enable the consumer address problems properly. By being environment friendly, the consumer should not support products and services that harm the environment.
6. Seek redress when necessary:It is the responsibility of the consumer to seek for appropriate redress by asking for compensation for poor quality products.
7. Follow instructions and use the product for its intended purpose:It is the responsibility of the consumer to follow instructions on how to use the products and not abuse the goods.

EVALUATION: Answer the following questions:

1. Describe a consumer
2. Define universal rights of a consumer
3. Explain consumer responsibilities
4. Mention five universal rights of a consumer
5. Enumerate five responsibilities of a consumer