The rights of consumers and responsibility of producers

What is a fair trading act?
- The fair trading act gives us, the consumer, the right to good quality products. It also puts responsibility on producers to meet these requirements. Things such as quality products, refunds, no false advertisements, and product safety (*cough* Samsung *cough*). The fair trade act protects and enforces these rights.

What is the commerce commission's goal?
- The commerce commission is here to make sure that the fair trading act is followed by producers. They enforce the rules and allow consumers to make complaints if they feel their rights are being violated. Things such as incorrect warning labels, non-accurate information, and non even playing fields in marketing among other things.

Who besides the commission is responsible for the act and can take their own legal action?
- Us, the consumers, are also responsible for making sure that we know are rights and know where we can go to enforce them. If we see a business that is not meeting these standards than we our allowed to take our own legal action and/or report them to the commission.

Who are the two groups that this act applies to?
- This act affects two types of people; consumers (us) and producers (companies). It applies to us as we are consumers and we deserve the right to good products. Producers must follow these rules and they must come through.

Ok well then what do the acts apply to?
- these acts apply to everyone, both online and physical stores. Some online stores may be exceptions from this act such as second hand sites (trade me, free cycle, etc), but even then they have a responsibility to make sure people are being honest with what they're selling.

Does this apply if you intend to deceive?
- This means that if you brought a shirt and took it home, ripped it, and then brought it back asking for a refund would this act apply to it? Well, every company has a different return policy. Some say you can not return open packaging while others say you can return products as long as you have a receipt. This means it depends on the company and, if you were to enforce this act, proof that it was faulty before you brought it.

Whose 'shoes' must the producers put their feet in?
- The produces must put their feet in those if the consumers. It's as if they have to produce a product that even they would want to buy. They must imagine how someone would react if they were to get a faulty product.

What is the commission empowered to do?
- Commission is able to investigate the company and the complaints from consumers about that company. Unfortunately they are unable to investigate all the complaints and only investigate those that could harm New Zealanders. After investigating the company and reporting or charging the company for not following the fair trade act.

What do I do if I need to report a business?
- Reporting a business is simple. just go to the comcom.govt.nz/consumers and go down to make a complainant. There are also many other ways to report a business which is talked about more on the website.

Know your rights

In New Zealand it's important to know your rights as a consumer. Without knowing your rights you are vulnerable to companies who could give you faulty products and cheat you. By knowing these rights you'll be able to identify faulty products, know how to enforce the fair trade act, and be able to report businesses. It can also help you make wise decisions when choosing where and how to buy goods and services.