This unit includes learning objectives, background information, a decision making activity, discussion questions, and additional sources of information. Everyone plays the buying game, but not everybody plays well. In fact, some consumers don't know the rules of the game. In five of the six questions designed to measure actual knowledge of consumer rights, more people gave incorrect answers than gave correct answers. Almost three-quarters of respondents mistakenly believe that money cannot be withdraw from a bank account without written authorization from the account owner.
Consumers have a three day period in which to cancel any purchase.
A person's credit history is private unless permission is given to make it public. Consumers have a right to a full refund for any product that is defective. Consumers can learn how to be savvy shoppers. They can learn how to distinguish between needs and wants, use effective and reliable consumer information, understand advertising, and make careful decisions. It all takes time, skill, and experience.