WeeklySA_AdminRight to be treated fairly
A service provider cannot exclude you from accessing the service and goods they provide, based on age or race. If you are behind your rental for an example no one should show up at your house, threaten or push you around, demanding payment.
Right to be heard
You have a right to be heard on issues of policies, plans, programmes and decisions that concern you. If dissatisfied about a product you have a right to be heard by the retailer, the repairman or someone involved in your matter, whether it concerns a product or a service.
Right to be informed
You have the right to get complete information you need about a product or service.
You have a right to know the exact ingredients of every type of processed food you buy and the right to know every detail of the contract you sign. This must be explained to you.
Right to the satisfaction of basic need
You have a right to basic goods and services that ensure survival, This includes food, clothing, shelter, health care education and sanitation.
Right to healthy environment
You have the right to live and work in a safe environment that does not pose threat to health and life, that does not pose a danger to current or future generations and that will enhance their quality of life.
Right to redress
Consumers have the right to redress from their complaints about substandard, unsafe, unreasonably expensive goods and services, unfair claims and unfair business practices.
It means when you have been sold an inferior or a fong kong product you have the right to go back to the seller and demand a replacement or a refund.
You can also approach Consumer affairs, or the industry Ombudsman to get redress.
But if you accept a product of low quality, you only have yourself to blame and the disadvantage of this is that the business remains unaware of the problem or ignores the problem to the disadvantage of the other consumers who might get caught in the same trap.
Right to choose
Consumers have a right to choose from a variety of products, goods and services based on personal taste and price. Competition in the marketplace allows consumers to buy that which suits their particular circumstances and needs.
Right to safety
Consumers have the right to protection against unsafe goods and services. They must be protected against flaws or hidden danger in products or services they buy.
They have a right to physical safety while they are shopping, for example if there is maintenance work underway at a mall and the only sign you see read : “sorry for the inconvenienced” and a brick falls and injures you, section 49 of the consumer protection act states that the supplier must draw to the consumer’s attention in a ma that is likely to attract the attention of a consumer to any risk that could result in serious injury or death. If injured you can submit a claim for your medical cost to the management of the mall together with proof of your injuries and medical expenses.
Right to disclosure.
Section 25 of the consumer protection act says a supplier must bring to the attention of the consumer that goods have been reconditioned or imported without the approval of the registered owner of the trademark. For example, you buy a known brand microwave from a store. After a week it breaks down and you decide to take it in for repairs under warranty by the brand agent. They tell you that was imported without the manufacturers approval and is cot covered. You can take it back to the seller and ask for a refund or to an ombudsman if the supplier is not cooperative
Right to education
Consumers have a right to be educated about basic consumer rights and responsibilities to enable them to make an informed and confident choice of goods and services. The state and private sector have a duty and role to play in this. Sourced from consumer guide for South Africa
Weekly SA Mirror will enlighten you on following rights of our next publication:
• Right to fair and just reasonable terms and conditions
• Right to fair value, good quality and safety
• Right to equality
• Right to privacy
Source: Consumer Guide for South Africa
by Advovate Neville Melville.
