How to seek redress

Meaning of Consumer Redress

It is a process of providing a set of rules and guideline that protect all consumers. It is a process of setting right a wrong or providing for fair settlement of justified claims.

Meaning of Consumer Rights

Consumers right are privileges entitled to consumers.

Types of Consumer Rights

The following are the types of consumer rights:

1. Right to satisfaction of basic needs: access to basic essential goods and services, adequate food, clothing , shelter, healthcare and education
2. Right to be informed: consumers need to be informed about choice and to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labeling
3. Right to get truthful and honest information about the goods and services which are purchased.
4. Right to choose between products of different qualities and prices which are required to satisfy their needs. It is the consumer’s right to choose a level of quality and performance equal to the price which he/she is prepared to pay
5. Right to be heard
6. Right to safety of goods and services bought
7. Right to redress: This is the settlement of choice claims. It includes the right compensation for misrepresentation or shoddy (inferior) goods or unsatisfactory services.
8. Right to consumer education
9. Right to healthy environment

Ways or Procedures of Seeking Redress

Redress can be sought in the law court and through the Consumer Protection Agency. However the procedures for seeking redress are:

1. Report or return the product as soon as possible.
2. Request for a replacement.
3. If the Manager does not act on your complaint proceed to the Consumer protection agency.
4. Take a long with your documents like invoice and letter of complaint vital for mediation.
5. Be sure to attend the mediation conference.

If the office or warehouse is at a distance. Take the following steps:

1. Report to the nearest branch.
2. Give the name, address, contact, person involved, branch or location. Include your name, address and phone number.
3. State the problem clearly, describes the product completely including the code or identification marks.
4. Attach the photocopies of receipt or invoice.
5. Forward the letter of complaint or redress to the Manufacturer or distributor whose name is on the label you bought the product.

Benefits of Providing Redress

1. Amendment of initial agreement
2. Peaceful resolution of dispute
3. It improves access to justice and facilitates more consistent decisions
4. Provides sufficient safeguards against potential abuse on consumers
5. It promotes market confidence and public relation profile.
6. It enhances product research and improves company’s services.
7. It creates better relationship between customers and service providers.
8. It prevents further harm.
9. It helps standard regulators identify systematic problems that require intervention.

Activity 1: Educator asks students if they or their parents have taken any steps to seek redress.

Activity 2: The student comes out to address the class, how the parents, he or she felt afterward.

EVALUATION

1. Define customer rights.
2. What is consumer redress?
3. Name three rights of a consumer.
4. Mention the ways or procedures of seeking redress.
5. List four merits of redress.