Consumer Law Handouts

CL #1: "Being a Consumer Is..."

A woman buying groceries

A woman buying shoes for the baby

A man and woman shopping for a new refrigerator

A woman paying a plumber

A man paying a cab driver

A family eating in a fast food restaurant

CL #2: "Your Rights as a Consumer"

UNFAIR OR MISLEADING SALES PRACTICES

Absolutely Free

One day only--75% off

PRODUCT SAFETY

Teddy bear with button eyes

Toy truck with sharp edges

LABELING

Surgeon General's Warning: Cigarette smoking can be hazardous to your health."

Warning: Aspirin sensitive patients--Do not take this product if you have had a severe allergic reaction to aspirin.

CL #3: "Role Play"

PERSON A: "DO YOU WANT TO BUY MY BIKE?"
PERSON B: "HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT FOR IT?"
PERSON A: "$50.00."
PERSON B: "OKAY. CAN I GIVE YOU $25 NOW AND $25 NEXT WEEK?"
PERSON A: "YES. THAT WILL BE FINE."
PERSON B: "GREAT! HERE'S THE MONEY."
PERSON A: "HERE'S THE BIKE. I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. I'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

CL #4: "Warranties"

Full One-Year Warranty

Company X warrants that it will repair, without charge, any defect or malfunction occurring in this product during the first year after the date of delivery to the original customer.

Limited One-Year Warranty

For one year from the date of original purchase, the company will provide, free of charge, parts and service labor to repair or replace any part of the product that fails because of a manufacturing defect.

Lifetime Limited Warranty

The company warrants to the original owner that the frame of this bicycle shall be free of defective materials or workmanship during the lifetime of the original owner. During this lifetime warranty period, the company shall repair or replace, at its sole option, any bicycle frame that is found by the company to be defective and subject to this limited warranty. The original owner shall pay all labor charges connected with the repair or replacement of the bicycle frame.

CL #5: "Things to Know About Buying on Credit"

IN THE LONG RUN, IT WILL USUALLY COST YOU MORE TO BUY SOMETHING ON CREDIT.

IN ORDER TO GET CREDIT, THE STORE OR COMPANY WILL WANT TO BE SURE YOU WILL REPAY THE MONEY.

YOU CANNOT BE DENIED CREDIT BECAUSE OF YOUR SEX, MARITAL STATUS, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OLD AGE , OR SOURCE OF INCOME.

IF YOU ARE DENIED CREDIT, THEY MUST TELL YOU WHY.

YOUR CREDIT RATING WILL FOLLOW YOU FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS.

Community Resource Lesson

1. Introduce yourself to the students, and explain your role as it relates to consumer affairs.

2. Tell students that you will be working with them to identify some consequences of poor consumer practices and steps to take if they have problems with a product, seller, or manufacturer.

3. Close the lesson by emphasizing the importance of careful and responsible buying as a consumer's best defense.

Family Involvement Activities

Possible activities for family involvement include the following:

1. Have children draw or cut out pictures from magazines of items their families buy at the grocery store. Ask each child to share his or her favorite item.

2. Have children do simple role plays where one student plays the seller and other students want to buy: food for dinner; a new pair of shoes; a toy.

3. Ask children to identify safe or unsafe features of the following and discuss why the safety features are important:

A teddy bear with button eyes. (Is this safe or unsafe? Why?)

A medicine bottle with a child-proof cap. (Is this safe or unsafe? Why?)

A cigarette lighter. (Is this safe or unsafe? Why?)

Automobile seat belts. (Are these safe or unsafe? Why?)

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