The manual is designed to serve as a handy desk reference for consumer advocates, members of the media, local government officials and state agency personnel who address consumer questions, complaints and concerns.
Consumer education is an integral part of consumer protection.
It is vital to be able to make wise judgments in the marketplace regarding the purchase of goods and services. The new consumer manual is over 400 pages and covers virtually every consumer topic ranging from aging to warranties, to New York's Lemon Laws, utility information, and addresses the most common consumer questions regularly asked of consumer advocates. I commend the Governor for establishing New York's first toll-free consumer hotline, creating a Western New York CPB office, and helping us to update our technology, allowing us to better serve New York consumers. It avoids technical language and 'legalese' and is intended to be an initial reference source for advocates who need a simple, concise answer to consumer questions.