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. What are the six fundamental consumer rights guaranteed to every citizen in India?
As per the Consumer Protection Act, every consumer in India has six fundamental rights to protect them from market exploitation. These rights are:
- Right to Safety: Protection from goods and services that are hazardous to health and property.
- Right to be Informed: The right to have complete information about a product's quality, quantity, purity, price, and standard.
- Right to Choose: Freedom to choose from a variety of products and services at competitive prices.
- Right to be Heard: The right for a consumer's interests to receive due consideration at appropriate forums.
- Right to Seek Redressal: The right to get compensation or relief against unfair trade practices or exploitation.
- Right to Consumer Education: The right to acquire the knowledge and skills to be an informed consumer.
2. Why is consumer awareness considered so important for a healthy economy?
Consumer awareness is crucial because it empowers individuals to make informed decisions and protects them from exploitation. Its importance lies in several areas:
- It helps consumers recognise and exercise their rights.
- It discourages businesses from engaging in unfair trade practices like false advertising or selling substandard goods.
- Informed consumers drive competition based on quality and price, promoting a healthier market.
- It holds businesses accountable for the products and services they provide, ensuring safety and quality standards are met.
3. What are the key responsibilities that a consumer should fulfil?
While consumers have rights, they also have responsibilities that promote a fair marketplace. Key responsibilities include:
- Being Aware: Proactively seeking information about products and services before purchasing.
- Insisting on a Bill: Always asking for a cash memo or bill as proof of purchase, which is necessary for filing a complaint.
- Checking for Quality Marks: Looking for standardisation marks like ISI, Agmark, or Hallmark to ensure product quality.
- Reporting Issues: Voicing complaints about genuine grievances and not hesitating to report unfair trade practices.
- Honest Dealings: Avoiding black marketing or hoarding and engaging in fair and lawful transactions.
4. What is the main difference between the 'Right to be Heard' and the 'Right to Seek Redressal'?
Although related, these two rights serve different purposes. The Right to be Heard ensures that consumer interests and concerns are considered in government and policy-making forums. It is about representation and having a voice. In contrast, the Right to Seek Redressal is the mechanism for action when a right has been violated. It allows a consumer to file a complaint and receive compensation, a replacement, or a refund for a faulty product or deficient service.
5. Which consumer right is often considered the most foundational for exercising all other rights?
While all consumer rights are vital and interconnected, the Right to be Informed is often considered the most foundational. Without access to complete and accurate information about a product's price, quality, and safety, a consumer cannot make a rational choice (violating the Right to Choose), identify a hazard (violating the Right to Safety), or even know when they have been wronged and need to seek redressal. Therefore, being properly informed is the first step in exercising all other consumer rights effectively.
6. How do consumer rights and responsibilities work together to create a balanced marketplace?
Consumer rights and responsibilities are two sides of the same coin, creating a system of checks and balances. Consumer rights act as a shield, protecting individuals from powerful businesses and fraudulent activities. They legally obligate sellers to be fair and honest. On the other hand, consumer responsibilities ensure that consumers act ethically and reasonably. By insisting on bills, checking quality marks, and reporting genuine issues, consumers prevent misuse of their rights and help authorities identify and penalise dishonest sellers, fostering a marketplace built on trust and accountability.
7. What are some common examples of 'unfair trade practices' that consumers should be aware of?
An unfair trade practice is any deceptive or fraudulent method used by a business to sell goods or services. Common examples include:
- Misleading Advertisements: Making false claims about a product's benefits, quality, or features.
- Deceptive Pricing: Showing a false 'original price' to make a discount seem larger than it is, or adding hidden charges at checkout.
- Selling Defective Goods: Knowingly selling products that are faulty, expired, or do not meet safety standards.
- Withholding Information: Not disclosing essential information about a product, such as its side effects or usage instructions.
8. Are online shoppers protected by the same consumer rights as those who buy from physical stores?
Yes, all consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, fully apply to e-commerce and online transactions. Online consumers are protected against issues such as receiving defective or wrong products, non-delivery of items after payment, misleading product descriptions, and unfair return or refund policies. Consumers can file complaints against online sellers and e-commerce platforms through the same consumer forums and online government portals.
