Consumer Voice :: Consumer Law

CONSUMER LAW & RIGHTS

Who is a Consumer?

Consumer means any person who-

Buys any good for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system or deferred payment and includes any user of such goods other than the person who buys such goods for consideration -paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system or deferred payment when such use is made with the approval of such person, but does not include a person who obtain such goods for resale or for any commercial purpose;

Hires or avails of any service for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system or deferred payment and includes any beneficiary of such services other than the person who hires or avails of the service for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system or deferred payment, when such services are availed of with the approval of the first mentioned person;

Six Golden Rules on Buying

Avoid buying on a holiday when most shops are closed. Remember that many sales the bogus prices are hiked up first and then the 20-30 percent cut is announced. Sometime, old stock is passed off as sale, the consumer will be told that it is clearance of old stock or a slightly defective goods.

Never throwaway cash memos until satisfied with the product you have bought maintain a file of your telephone, electricity bills, and House tax bills.

If the product is defective, don't be afraid to go back with the cash memo and explain.

If you don't get a sympathetic hearing complaint to higher authorities. In writing with all the relevant details. For example, if you have bought a T.V. that is defective, write to the head office of the T.V. Company. Don't restrict your complaint to the dealer.

Write to the consumer pages/columns of newspapers. When your letter is published don't assume that the relevant company will have seen it. Make a cutting of the letter and send a Photostat copy to the company.

If you have to take the matter to a consumer court, make sure all your documentation is in order.

Who can file a complaint?

1.	A consumer or a group of consumers with similar complaints.
2.	A registered consumer organisation.
3.	The Central or the State Government.

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