Changes in technology have led to a shift from a market controlled by corporations to one controlled by consumers. When it comes to making purchasing decisions, customers are now influencing the companies rather than the other way around. This new balance of power makes understanding consumer rights more important than ever.
Rights and Protection
When you buy something from a company, whether it’s a physical product or the performance of a service, the company has certain obligations to you as a customer. One of the most important is the assurance that the product or service won’t cause injury or illness. You’re also entitled to all the information necessary to make educated choices about your purchases. Companies aren’t allowed to use “bait and switch” pricing tactics or other false advertising in an attempt to force you to buy something you don’t want or need.
Contracts, warranties and lending are also covered by consumer rights. Companies must stand behind the stated terms in a contract or warranty or face a charge of misrepresentation. Fraudulent lending practices, such as imposing unreasonably high interest rates or concealing penalty information in small print, have been targeted by a number of federal regulations. You also have the right to freedom from harassment by creditors. Incessant phone calls and trying to use people in your family or at your place of business to get to you are both against the law and carry penalties for the offending party.
Violations of Consumer Rights
Any behavior on the part of a company that is deemed unfair or fraudulent may give you grounds to file a consumer complaint or a lawsuit. At the federal level, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection handles consumer rights violations. Most states have an attorney general that can be contacted by phone, email or traditional mail.
Before taking a case to court, you should check to see if the offending company has a dispute resolution program in place. Such programs may allow you to settle the problem without engaging in a legal battle. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau with your complaint. However, in serious cases or in cases where you discover that the company has been brought under scrutiny for similar violations of consumer rights, a lawsuit may be the best way to resolve the issue. If you don’t have the resources to file one on your own, look into the possibility of banding together with other consumers in a class action lawsuit. To ensure that you always have this right, watch out for “arbitration” clauses placed in service terms or contracts that require consumers to settle disputes outside of court.
When a company violates your rights as a consumer, call Frontier Consumer Law Group. Our attorneys will evaluate your case for free and help you to take the next step. Let consumer rights laws work for you and hold companies accountable for their treatment of the customers who support them.