Chapter 9: Protecting
the Consumer
Consumer Laws
Reasons for Consumer
Protection




Unsafe or Low Quality Goods
Overcharging and incorrect
weights
Misleading Advertisements
Slick sales method
Consumer Laws


Sale of Goods
and Supply of
Services Act
1980
Consumer
Information Act
1978
Sale of Goods and Supply of
Services Act 1980

Merchantable Quality


Goods and services should be of
reasonable quality considering
the amount paid
Fit for their purpose

Goods should be able to perform
their normal tasks
Sale of Goods and Supply of
services 1980

As described


Correspond to sample


Goods sold by description should
match the description
Goods sold by sample should match
the description
Suppliers of services must be
qualified

A seller must be able to do the work
properly


It is the seller's responsibility to
put things right if there are
problems.
The contract is between the a
consumer and seller. In return
for payment the goods should
meet certain conditions
Illegal signs

Sellers cannot get out of their
responsibilities by displaying
certain signs
‘All items on this rack half
price- items soiled’

One cannot return goods for a
flaw that the seller has already
said to be present

Cavet Emptor
Consumer Information Act
1978


Protects consumers against
false or misleading claims about
goods or services
This law is enforced by the
Director of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Act
1978

Forbids suppliers giving any
misleading info about:
Goods
 Services
 Price
 Quality

Consumer Information Act
1978


Goods on sale must have been
on sale at the higher price for at
28 days in the previous 3
months.
Forbidden to publish any ad that
is likely to cause loss, damage
or injury to the public
Food Labels




Clear, legible
and understood
Show name of
food
Show actual
selling price and
unit price per kg
Show use by,
sell by and best
before date.
Bar Codes and Symbols





Series of lines on
goods that allow
computers to
identify products
Scanned at check
outs- speeds up
transactions
Less mistakes
Records stock
Provide info about
the product
Bar Codes and Symbols



Symbols of
quality
It tells the buyer
that the good is
of good quality
It provides info
on the country
of origin,
company,
product number,
price and weight
Unit Pricing




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
Consumer Protection Agencies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Enterprise Ireland
Trade Associations
Office of the Director of
Consumer Affairs
Small Claims Court
Consumer Association of Ireland
Office of the Ombudsman
Ombudsman for Credit
Institutions
Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland
1. Enterprise Ireland


State Organisation that sets new
standards for safety and quality
of new goods & services and
issues reports
Operates the National
Standards Authority of Ireland
NSAI
2. Trade Associations


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Suppliers of goods and services
are members of organisations
which lay down standards of
conduct for their members
These associations try to settle
disputes between members and
customers
E.g. Irish travel agents
association ITAA
3. Office of the Director of
Consumer Affairs


Enforces the
Consumer
information act
1978
Publishes
booklets advising
consumers of
their rights
4. Small Claims Court



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Deals with consumer
claims up to €1,270
Handles claims
speedily – no solicitors
needed
Fee of €9
Need to settle dispute
with seller before going
to the small claims
court
5. Consumer Association of
Ireland



Voluntary Body
Advises consumers
about goods and
services and laws
affecting them
Consumer Choice
magazine
6. Office of the Ombudsman


Investigates
complaints by
members of the
public against
state
organisations
E.g. government
departments
7. Ombudsman for Credit
Institutions


Deals with
complaints
against banks
and building
societies.
Try to deal with
the dispute with
the bank before
you call upon
the ombudsman
8. Insurance Ombudsman of
Ireland

Deals with
complaints against
insurance
companies about
overcharging and
compensation
payments