How many consumer rights are there

Henry Ford and other leaders of industry understood that mass production presupposed mass consumption. In the agrarian economy, the working classes labored long hours and had little time for consumption.

While previously the norm had been the scarcity of resources, the Industrial Revolution created a new economic situation. After the Industrial Revolution, products were available in outstanding quantities, at low prices, being thus available to virtually everyone. Access to credit, in the form of installment payments aided further consumption. Beginning in the s, the reason most frequently given for attending college had changed. Making a lot of money outranked previous reasons such as becoming an authority in a field or helping others in difficulty.

This rationale correlates with the rise of materialism, specifically the technological aspect: the increasing prevalence of mp3 players, digital media, tablets and smartphones. Businesses have realized that wealthy consumers are the most attractive targets of marketing.

Consequently, upper class tastes, lifestyles, and preferences trickle down to become the standard for all consumers. A consumer can have the instant gratification of purchasing an expensive item to improve social status.

Emulation is also a core component of 21 st century consumerism. As a general trend, regular consumers seek to emulate those who are above them in the social hierarchy. The poor strive to imitate the wealthy and the wealthy imitate celebrities and other icons.

The celebrity endorsement of products can be seen as evidence of the evocation of the desire of modern consumers to purchase products partly or solely to emulate people of higher social status. This purchasing behavior may co-exist in the mind of a consumer with an image of oneself as being an individualist.

The rise in popularity of ethical consumerism over the last two decades can be linked to the rise of the Corporate Social Responsibility CSR movement. As global population increases, so does the pressure intensify on limited natural resources required to meet rising consumer demand. Industrialization of developing countries, facilitated by technology and globalization is further straining these resources. Consumers are becoming more and more aware of the environmental and social implications of their day-to-day consumer decisions and are therefore beginning to make purchasing decisions based on environmental and ethical implications.

However, the practice of ethical consumerism is in its nascent stages and far from universal. Privacy Policy.

Skip to main content. Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. Search for:. Consumer Rights. Basic Consumer Rights Basic consumer rights ensure a level of protection for consumers owed by a supplier of goods or services. Kennedy established four basic rights; the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, and the right to be heard. In , the United Nations added four more rights to protect consumers: the right to satisfaction of basic needs, the right to redress, the right to consumer education, and the right to a healthy environment.

In case of monopolies, it means right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price. It also includes right to basic goods and services. This is because unrestricted right of the minority to choose can mean a denial for the majority of its fair share. This right can be better exercised in a competitive market where a variety of goods are available at competitive prices.

Right to be Heard Means that consumer's interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. It also includes right to be represented in various forums formed to consider the consumer's welfare. The Consumers should form non-political and non-commercial consumer organizations which can be given representation in various committees formed by the Government and other bodies in matters relating to consumers.

Right to Seek redressal Means right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. Therefore please refer to our legislative brief on the Bill.

The opinions expressed herein are entirely those of the author s. PRS makes every effort to use reliable and comprehensive information, but PRS does not represent that the contents of the report are accurate or complete. PRS is an independent, not-for-profit group. This document has been prepared without regard to the objectives or opinions of those who may receive it.

Education Graduation :. Education Post Graduation :. Parliament States Primer. Parliament States. State Assembly. The Consumer Protection Bill,