Consumer right protection in an open market economy

Written by admin on April 10th, 2011

Globalization has an important effect on regional economies, societies and cultures. This is done by integrating a global network of societies, cultures and trade. The term is associated with economic globalization. There has been a positive effect on the development of third world nations.

India, China has emerged as global powers in terms of consumer market and cheap labor. This has resulted in improved opportunity for jobs that is pouring in from USA, Europe, etc. The integration of consumer market world wide has resulted in aggressive marketing. Several large corporations are doing business in USA.

There are several types of consumer protection laws to protect the interest of the consumers. This ensures quality control of product being sold in US market. The governments on several occasions promote competition to some extent. This indirectly has resulted in consumer protection too.

This is because presence of one single company for a particular product will result in monopoly business. If the product is a necessity then the consumers will be left with no space to bargain.

A consumer is a person who has purchased a good or a service with the intention of using it. A person who has purchased for the purpose of resale can’t be called a consumer. He can be retailer, distributor, agent, etc but not a consumer under any circumstance.

Here in USA both the federal and state governments take care of consumer related matters. There are several types of laws taking care of consumer related affairs, they are:
1) Fair Credit Reporting Act (federal law)
2) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (USA Statute)
3) Truth in Lending Act (federal law)
4) Fair Credit Billing Act (federal law)
5) Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act or Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999

There are several other acts that are in the process of drafting and many other that will come up in the future. The federal level consumer protection is enforced by Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice.

There are several consumer protection groups and together lobbying groups which influence legislation. There are several groups and forums which educate consumers and provide them with tips in case of consumer right violation.

In terms of consumer protection law California has the most stringent protection laws. This is due to the presence of several influence groups that are active in this state –Consumer Federation of America, Utility Consumers Action Network, etc.

In case your consumer rights have been violated contact a Consumer Law Attorney. There are several good consumer lawyers who you can find from online legal directories or simply from internet. You can also get a lawyer or an attorney from consumer forums too.

If you are looking for a New York based reputed lawyer, please visit New York Attorney Directory to get the required information.

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