Protect yourself as a consumer and get in the know
Being a consumer isn’t really all that simple. First you have to make the right decision on the product. Comparison shopping takes time and patience, two qualities it sometime seems hard to come by.
Then there are the ethical dilemmas that confront you while you shop- should you support Australian produce or doesn’t it make much difference? And then, when you’ve finally committed to an action, have bought the item, packed it up into your car, driven it all the way home and divested it of it’s wrappings, things can still go wrong. Here are some actions to take to protect your rights as a consumer.
Always do the maths
Don’t trust companies to do you right. After all, the most important thing to most businesses is a profit margin, not treating you well. There are always exceptions to this, but I think a healthy skepticism about these things can’t go astray. Check your change, add up your restaurant bill to make sure it matches what conclusion the person behind the counter has come to. People aren’t trying to rip you off in those transaction, they’re just distracted and overworked.
Make their day (and yours) a little simpler by checking all your financial transactions yourself. Make your Year Three teacher proud of you.
Understand hidden fees
Getting a mobile phone is no simple task. You think you’ve signed up to pay a small amount and get a free phone with it. 24 months later you’ve spent a couple of thousand dollars on a phone that barely works and never gets reception. Like the hidden roaming costs of an iPhone should you be out of the metropolitan areas.
Hidden fees are one of the hardest things to cope with as a consumer, as they’re always right there in your contract. No one mentioned them to you while you were purchasing your plan or renting your car, but you sure as hell will end up paying for them. Credit cards are another major offender at this. The only solution is a fine tooth comb approach. That way if you get stung, you have a justifiable gripe to approach the company or an external authority with because you prepared for the eventuality.
Approach the company
If you’re not happy with your product, then approach the company about it. If you’re still under warranty, your task should be easy. Watch out for companies that offer to repair as opposed to replace. More often than not, that’s a quick fix that won’t last all that long. Argue that a replacement is valid as you’re concerned with the quality of the item you’ve purchased. If you’re not under warranty, you might have a bit of a fight on your hands but kick up enough of a stink, and the company might buckle to keep you off their hands. I’m not suggesting you do this without valid reason, but it makes my blood boil when I think of the mediocre-quality products that are sold in the knowledge that most consumers don’t have the time to protest when it breaks three years too early.
Get organised
If you’re serious about this, log on to http://www.choice.com.au or the Department of Fair Trading (for NSW readers – there are alternatives for interstate readers!). Taking consumer action is important, and you might find lots of people have the same gripe. Damn the man people, and reclaim the supermarket aisles.
What forms of consumer action have you taken?
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