Know Your Rights and Take Responsibility
Consumers are the ones who buy or avail commodities or services. In the process of buying the goods and services till the time they use those goods and services; they have certain rights and responsibilities as a customer which he or she is not always aware of. This might happen due to lack of knowledge and ignorance.
This content is exclusively for updating and spreading awareness among the students and the readers at large about their rights as consumers. We are going to present the definition of ‘Consumer Awareness’, the rights and duties of the consumers, and the importance of Consumer Rights in our discussion.
Basic of Consumer Awareness
As an individual living in any country and consuming goods and services, it is necessary that we all know what rights we have in this position, and also what responsibilities we need to have. We need to understand the meaning of consumer awareness, the meaning of consumer rights and have some knowledge about the rights and duties of consumers. The same is important because without knowing these things, you may not realise what is wrong and right. As a customer, you should make yourself aware of the consumer rights to avoid any undue advantage.
What is Consumer Awareness?
Let’s take a look at the meaning of consumer awareness. It is the state of a consumer who is aware of his or her rights, understanding when these rights have been violated and also knowing what to do about it to get the appropriate redressal for the violation. The meaning of consumer awareness also extends to knowing what your duties are as a consumer and knowing what to do with this responsibility. Every person is a consumer in one way or another because we all buy goods or avail of some kind of services to keep sustaining our lives. This is why knowing the meaning of consumer awareness is important so that you remain a responsible consumer.
What are Consumer Rights?
Every country prescribes its own set of consumer rights to its people to ensure maximum protection to the citizens of a country. The meaning of consumer awareness extends to knowing the meaning of consumer rights. There are six important consumer rights that have been listed down for the people of India by the government of India; these rights are as follows.
Right to Safety
This is the right of the consumer to be protected against the marketing of any commodity, goods and services which are in the interest of harm towards them.
Right to Be Informed
The consumer has the right to be informed about the commodity they are purchasing. This pertains to the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of the good or service at hand.
Right to Choose
The consumer should have proper access to the market to make an informed choice between selected goods and services. In a market where there is a monopoly, this right extends to warranting a fair price for a good or service.
Right to Be Heard
This is the right extended to consumers to be heard at the appropriate forums for voicing out concerns and also representing ideas and visions for consumer welfare.
Right to Seek Redressal
The right to seek redressal is one of the fundamental rights provided by the Indian Constitution to its people. When pertaining to consumer rights, it is the right of consumers to seek redressal in case of any unfair practices in trade or exploitation of the consumer.
Right to Consumer Education
The right to consumer education focuses on spreading the meaning of consumer awareness and having each citizen and consumer know what consumer rights are. Information about consumer rights must be given to all consumers, which is ensured by this right.
Duties of Consumers
In the way that the government has given each and every consumer a set of rights, it is the responsibility of the consumer to also follow through on several duties provided to them. Consumer responsibilities are just as important as consumer rights. The following are some of the important consumer responsibilities or the duties of consumers:
Consumers must make sure that the product they are purchasing is of good quality, and have been quality marked such as Agmark, ISI, Hallmark, etc.
Consumers should always make sure that they have seen and understood all the information available about a product and make an informed choice.
Consumers should follow the rules and not be unlawful while purchasing commodities.
Consumers should always insist on bills of purchase from the seller so that if there is a problem with the purchase, the issue can immediately be sorted out.
Consumers have the responsibility to call out exploitative behaviour and unfair trade practices on the part of a seller.
Consumers must form organizations that are non-political to express consumer needs and requirements.
Importance of Consumer Rights and Consumer Responsibilities
Everything that we own today is a result of us being a consumer who purchases certain commodities. This is why we must all be aware of our consumer rights as well as consumer responsibilities. We all have to go to the market and be a consumer at least once in a while, and it is vital to know the meaning of consumer rights to help us realise if we are ever being exploited by a seller.
Did You know?
Consumers must know their rights and what they are protected from. Following are some facts which you might not know about your right –
A consumer can choose a product and have the full right to negotiate the price.
A consumer can rightfully demand a healthy environment.
Consumers can file a complaint from literally anywhere.
The consumers can seek a hearing via video conferencing as well.
Also, the consumer can know why his/her complaint was rejected.
Know Your Consumer Rights
You have the right to be fully informed about the product or service, including its price, quality, and terms of sale.
You are entitled to safe products and services that do not pose harm to your health or life.
You have the freedom to choose from a variety of products and services at competitive prices.
You can seek compensation or replacement if a product or service is defective or substandard.
You can voice your grievances to sellers, authorities, or consumer protection bodies.
You have the right to access information and resources to make informed decisions.
You are protected against misleading advertisements, hidden charges, and false claims.
Your personal data cannot be shared or misused without your consent.
Contracts must be transparent, fair, and free from exploitative clauses.
You have access to simple and affordable methods for resolving disputes.
FAQs on Consumer Rights and Their Importance
1. Who is a Consumer?
Consumer means any individual who purchases the products or avails the services for his own personal use and not for further manufacturing or resale purposes. The consumer is referred to any person who purchases those goods or services for a definite consideration which can be either paid or promised to pay or partly paid or partly promised.
2. Where can a consumer get his/her protection?
In Consumer Forums, these consumers will be protected. Consumer Forums are those organizations that are formed to guide the consumer’s rights; they are also known as the Consumer Protection Council.
3. What are the consumer rights that any Consumer should be aware of?
Following are the consumer rights that we all as consumers should be aware of:
Right to Consumer Safety
Right to be Informed
Right to Choose
Right to be Heard
Right to Seek Redressal
Right to Consumer Education
All six of these rights are aimed at providing consumers with the appropriate protection that a consumer should receive. When any of these rights are violated, the consumer has the right to seek redressal to get the appropriate compensation and justice for being wronged.
4. What is the meaning of Consumer awareness?
All consumers need to be aware of the rights that have been provided for them by the government in case a seller tries to exploit them. Consumer rights are incredibly important for all of us since we are all consumers who are always looking to buy the things we need and want to sustain our lives. The meaning of consumer awareness also includes knowing one’s consumer responsibilities which we must diligently partake in accomplishing. Knowing about one’s consumer rights and responsibilities is what is consumer awareness.
5. Why is consumer awareness important?
Consumer awareness is crucial as it helps individuals recognize their rights, avoid exploitation, and make informed purchasing decisions. It also promotes fair trade practices and holds businesses accountable.
6. How can consumers exercise their right to seek redressal?
Consumers can approach Consumer Forums, Consumer Protection Councils, or file complaints online through government portals. They can also seek redressal through mediation or arbitration.
7. What are unfair trade practices?
Unfair trade practices include false advertising, deceptive pricing, selling defective products, or withholding essential information about goods or services.
8. Can a consumer demand a refund or replacement for defective goods?
Yes, consumers have the right to demand a refund, replacement, or repair for defective goods, provided they have proof of purchase, such as a receipt or invoice.
9. How can consumers ensure the quality of a product?
Consumers should look for standard quality marks like ISI, Agmark, FSSAI, or Hallmark on products to ensure their authenticity and quality.
10. Are online consumers protected by consumer rights?
Yes, online consumers are protected under consumer rights. They can file complaints against misleading advertisements, defective products, or unfair trade practices on e-commerce platforms or through online complaint portals.
