Consumer Protection and Commerce

Services rendered free of charge or under a contract of personal service are explicitly excluded from the definition of 'service' under the Consumer Protection Act.

The Consumer Protection Act provides for six consumer rights and helps consumers in getting their grievances redressed for any shortcoming in the goods purchased or services availed.

True, consumer protection has a moral justification for business. It is the moral duty of every business to protect the interests of its customers. Business organisations must follow ethical values and any form of exploitation of the consumers such as unfair trade practices, adulteration, etc. must be avoided.

A consumer is defined as a person who purchases goods for personal use or consumes services, as per the Consumer Protection Act.

The desirable method of consumer protection is imposition of self regulation and discipline by the manufacturers and traders on themselves. It helps to prevent fraudulent practices in the market place. It also promotes fair trade and accurate information in the market.

The Consumer Welfare Fund is created in 1992.Consumer Welfare Fund is created by The Government of India. This welfare fund is created in order to promote the uphold the consumer's interest. It also addresses unfair practices prevalent in the market place.

The consumer has a right to acquire knowledge and to be a well informed consumer throughout life.
He should be aware about his rights and the reliefs available to him in case of a product or service falling short of his expectations. Many consumer organisations and some enlightened businesses are taking an active part in educating consumers in this respect.

Consumer organization play an important role in educating consumers about their rights and providing protection to them. These consumer organization also promote consumer awareness about the fraudulent practices in the market place.

The government can protect the interests of the consumers by enacting various legislations. Government make policies in order to protect the rights of the consumers. It also helps to prevent the fraudulent practices in the market place.

Under consumer awareness, a consumer is well informed about his rights and the reliefs available to him, is in a a position to raise his voice against any unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation. Consumer awareness is of utmost necessary to uphold the rights of the consumers.

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides for three- tier machinery at the district, state and national levels for redressal of consumer grievances. The most important regulation which provide protection to consumers is the Consumer Protection Act. This Act helps to protect the interests and rights of the consumers. It also helps to prevent the fraudulent practices in the market place.

Business is not a way of consumer protection. It is not a way to uphold the interests and rights of the consumers. Business can be defined as an activity where buying and selling take place on a daily basis.

Consumer's market is a type of buyer' market as in this market people buys goods mainly for the consumption purpose. Consumer refers to a person who consumes goods with his given income and prices of the goods and buyer is a person who buys the goods.

Distribution channel aims of moving products from producer to ultimate consumer. Distribution channel refers to the pathway of several persons by which the finished goods get transferred to the final consumer. Wholesaler is an agent of the distribution channel of the products.

Handloom societies are formed by weavers who pool their resources to produce and sell goods collectively, making them producers' co-operative societies. These organizations help individual artisans compete more effectively in the market.