Consumer Bill of Rights
We, the Consumers of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Marketplace, are hereby provided with the following rights:
Federal laws ensure THE RIGHT TO:
- Be Safe—Protection from thousands of commercial products
- Choose Freely—Promise consumers a variety of options to choose
- Be Heard—Provides the opportunity to voice concerns with state regulatory agencies, attorneys general, and the Better Business Bureau
- Be Informed—Requires businesses to provide accurate and appropriate information
- Education—Provides access to programs and information to help in marketplace decision making
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Consumer Guides and Protection
How to Right A Wrong…Most companies want to make you happy so you’ll come back and recommend them to your friends. But when you find a company that’s not making the grade, how do you resolve the problem? Solving Consumer Problems
No doubt you've purchased a product or service that you weren't happy with. Rather than accepting the situation, take action. After all, businesses want to keep you happy so you'll keep coming back. The Federal Trade Commission suggests these simple strategies for resolving a problem you may have with a product or service |
3-Day Cooling-Off Rule
When you buy something at a store and later change your mind, your ability to return the merchandise depends upon store policy. If you buy an item in your home, you might have three days to cancel. This Cooling-Off Rule also applies to purchases of $25 or more at your workplace and places rented by a seller on a temporary basis, such as hotel or motel rooms, convention centers, fairgrounds and restaurants. Enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, the Cooling-Off Rule requires sellers to tell you that you have three business days after the sale to change your mind. At the time of the sale, the seller must give you two dated copies of a cancellation form (one to keep and one to send) and a copy of your contract or a receipt showing the salesperson’s name and address and explaining your right to cancel. The contract or receipt must be in the same language that’s used in the sales presentation.
To cancel a purchase, sign and date one of the cancellation notices and send it by certified mail postmarked before midnight of the third business day following the sale. Saturday is considered a business day, but Sunday and legally recognized holidays are not. Keep the other notice of cancellation for your records. If you were not provided with this form at the time of the sale, your three-day period doesn’t start until you receive it from the seller. You can also write your own letter to cancel the order.
Once you have canceled, you must be given a refund within 10 days. The seller must notify you or the date for product pick up, and return of any trade-ins you gave as a down payment. Within 20 days, the seller must either pick up the items, or reimburse you for mailing expenses.
Be aware that there are situations in which the Cooling-Off Rule does not apply:
- You made the purchase entirely by mail or telephone
- The sale was the result of prior contact you had at the seller’s permanent business location
- You signed a document waiving your right to cancel
- Your purchase is not primarily for personal, family or household use
- You were buying real estate, insurance, securities, or a motor vehicle
- You can’t return the item in a condition similar to how it was when you got it
- You bought arts or crafts at a fair, shopping mall, civic center, or school
Remember that if you paid by credit card and are having difficulty getting your refund, you may also be able to dispute the charge with your credit card company under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
Resource: 2008 Consumer Action Handbook www.consumeraction.gov |
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