Protecting the Consumer Laws The Consumer n A

Protecting the Consumer Laws

The Consumer n A person who purchase goods and services for personal use

The Consumer Mahatma Gandhi said, "A consumer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us, we are on him. He is not an interruption to our work, he is the purpose of it. We are not doing a favour to a consumer by giving him an opportunity. He is doing us a favour by giving us opportunity to serve him. ”

What we face as Consumers n n n n Adulteration of food substances by traders through addition of substances which are injurious to health or removal of substances which are nutritious or by lowering their quality standards Supply of defective goods Use of deceptive or incorrect rates on products Use of false or non-standard weights and measures in supply of goods Selling above the MRP Unauthorised sale of essential products like medicines, etc. beyond their expiry date to ignorant consumers Poor customer services

Consumer Protection Information and Complaints Consumer Affairs is mandated to enforce and monitor three primary pieces of legislation which focus on service to the community. These include: n n n The Price Control Act, 1971, and its Regulations The Rent Control Act (Amendment Regulation, 2006) The Consumer Protection Act, 2006.

The Price Control Act, 1971, and its Regulations The prices of goods which are controlled are published in a Schedule under the Price Control (General) (Amendments) Regulations. These items are commonly referred to as Breadbasket and include: • Butter • Cooking Oil • Mayonnaise • Grits • Cheese • Corned Beef • Evaporated Milk • Margarine • Rice • Sugar • Flour • Bread • Tomato Paste The following are an extension of the Price Control listing and falls under automatic pricing: • Baby Cereal • Baby Formula • Soups • Broths • Baby Food • Powdered Detergents • Condensed Milk • Soaps • Fresh Milk • Mustard

The Rent Control Act (Amendment Regulation, 2006) The Rent Control Amendment 2006 amended the 1975 Act ceiling of $25, 000. 00 and established a new ceiling of $75, 000. 00 for dwelling houses covered under the Rent Control Act. Tenants and Landlords are encouraged to maintain a courteous and respectful relationship and honour their respective obligations. Should disputes or complaints arise; either of the parties can refer the matter to the Rent Control Board for a determination.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2006. n n ü ü ü This piece of legislation which makes provisions for the greater protection of consumers was passed by the Parliament in 2006. The legislation seeks to provide a forum for consumers who are disadvantaged daily by: Exorbitant prices Substandard products Unscrupulous practice of merchants

The Consumer Protection Act, 2006. The law requires merchants and service providers to be more accountable and ensures that in their dealings with consumers, value is exchanged for goods and services provided. The Act address consumer concerns in the following areas: ü ü Protection from hazards to their health and safety Consumer Education Avenues for effective redress of complaints Encouragement of the formation of consumer groups to represent consumer views in matters of interest and decision making.

Consumer Rights n n In the Bahamas your rights as a consumer are safeguarded by legislation. You have the right to receive expected value for services and purchases rendered. We have organized easy access to channels of communication which enable you to freely voice your discrepancies and to have your grievances heard and dealt with in a just and timely manner. The CPC fully adopts the United Nation’s Consumer Bill of Rights as outlined in the next slide

United Nation’s Consumer Bill of Rights n n n n Right to Safety – safeguarding against goods that are hazardous to life and property. Right to Information – consumers have the right to be informed regarding the price, quality, quantity, etc. , of the products they buy. Right to Choice – consumers should be provided with a wide variety of goods to choose from. Right to be Heard – the right of consumers to have their complaints heard. Right to Satisfaction of Basic Needs – this right demands that people have access to basic, essential goods and services: adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water, and sanitation. Right to Redress – consumers have the right to seek redress regarding their complaints. Right to Consumer Education – the right of consumers to be educated about their rights. Right to a Healthy Environment – this is the right to live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to the well-being of present and future generations.

Consumer Responsibilities n ü ü ü As a consumer you must make every effort to educate yourself about responsibilities. You have a responsibility to/of: Research and Gather Information Awareness Inform Preserve the Environment Notify Authorities with Your Complaint

Research and Gather Information As a consumer, it is your duty to do proper research and to gather information about the type of products you wish to purchase. It is also your responsibility make informed decisions when purchasing a product.

Responsibility of Awareness As a consumer, it is your duty to be aware of the existing products in the market. You should also make every effort to appraise yourself regarding the safety and quality standards that they claim to fulfill. If and when you become aware of a irregular or inappropriate consumer situations it is your responsibility to report such situations to the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) and or any relevant governmental institution. You should also immediately discontinue the use of the product or service.

Responsibility to Inform It is also your obligation as a consumer to inform both the merchant and the CPC about your concerns and complaints. You also have a duty to warn fellow consumers in the event you find any product or service to be non- compliant with the quality and safety standards that have been set by the CPC and other related international organizations.

Responsibility to Preserve the Environmental sustainability is a huge concern for us all. Its safeguarding also relies heavily on your presence of mind to ensure that the environment is protected and preserved for future generations. You can do this by making every effort to follow to the letter the specific manufacturer’s environmental instructions outlined for the proper disposal of waste products after use.

Responsibility to Notify Authorities with Your Complaint n n If any service or product does not meet the standards being advertised, has been misrepresented by a manufacturer or is being sold at excessive costs, it is the consumer’s responsibility to notify the CPC. Misrepresentation and false advertising in the sale of products and service is considered a serious offense under the Consumer Protection Act. You have the responsibility to notify the governing legal body and the right to demand compensation from the offender.

Responsibility to Notify Authorities with Your Complaint n Over pricing of goods and services is also considered a serious offense. We encourage you to make it your priority to check our pricing comparison tables to educate yourself about other provider prices

Reasons for Consumer Protection Unsafe or Low Quality Goods n Overcharging and incorrect weights n Misleading Advertisements n Slick sales method n

Consumer Laws n n Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 Consumer Protection Act 2007

Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Merchantable Quality Fit for their purpose As described Correspond to sample Suppliers of services must be qualified

n It is the seller's responsibility to put things right if there are problems.

Consumer Protection Act 2007 n Protects consumers against false or misleading claims about goods or services

Consumer Protection Act 2007 n Forbids suppliers giving any misleading info about: Goods l Services l Price l Quality l

Consumer Protection Act 2007 Goods on sale must have been on sale at the higher price for at 28 days in the previous 3 months. n Forbidden to publish any ad that is likely to cause loss, damage or injury to the public n

Food Labels n n Clear, legible and understood Show name of food Show actual selling price Show use by, sell by and best before date.

Bar Codes n n Series of lines on goods that allow computers to identify products Scanned at check outs Less mistakes Records stock

Symbols n n Symbols of quality It tells the buyer that the good is of good quality

Unit Pricing n n Unit pricing shows the price per kilo/litre It enables a consumer to decide what is the best value. Food labels must show the price per kilo/litre rather than overall price. Consumers can compare prices the best prices per kilo/litre rather than total price by using the formula Price ______ Quantity l

Consumer Protection Agencies For more information, or to make a complaint, please contact the following: n Consumer Affairs Office National Insurance Building Wulff Road Nassau New Providence The Bahamas Phone: (242) 356 -9391/5 Fax: (242) 356 -9395 P. O. Box N 3008

Consumer Protection Agencies On the Family Islands Consumer Affairs Offices are located in the Administrator’s Office. In Freeport, Grand Bahama, Consumer Affairs Office is located in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Consumer Protection Agencies On the Family Islands: Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9: 00 a. m. - 5: 00 p. m. Island Address Phone Contact Abaco Administrator’s Office Acklins, Mason Bay Administrator’s Office North Andros Administrator’s Office Bimini Department of labour Office Cat Island Administrator’s Office Eleuthera Administrator’s Office Exuma Social Service Office Grand Bahama Office of the Prime Minister (242) 367 -5072 -3 (242) 334 -3251 (242) 329 -2278/ 329 -2608 (242) 347 -32422 (242) 342 -3031/ 342 -3032 (242) 334 -2034/ 334 -2049 (242) 336 -3609 (242) 352 -3414

Consumer Protection Agencies Consumer Protection Commission website https: //www. cpcbahamas. org/