Consumer

Welfare
Consumer welfare refers
to the individual benefits
derived from the
consumption of goods and
services.
 October is
Consumer Welfare
Month
October was declared the
Consumer Welfare Month
based on Proclamation
number 1098 of 1997.
Consumer Protection
in ASEAN Economic
Community
R.A 7394
 What is R.A. 7394?
RA 7394 is the Consumer Act of the
Philippines which took effect on 15
July 1992.
It is the policy of the State to protect
the interest of the consumer,
promote his general welfare and to
establish standards of conduct for
business and industry.
 What are the
objectives of the
Consumer
The objectives of the Act are: Act?
o Protection of consumers against hazards to
health and safety;
o Protection of consumers against deceptive, unfair
and unconscionable sales acts and practices;
o Provision of information and education to
facilitate sound choice and the proper exercise of
rights by the consumer;
o Provision of adequate rights and means of
redress;
o Involvement of consumer representative in the
formulation of social and economic policies.
Eight (8) Basic
Consumer Rights
1. THE RIGHT TO BASIC NEEDS

WHAT TO DO:
o Prioritize your needs
o Look for quality, not quantity
o Be quality conscious, not brand
conscious
o Do not engage in panic-buying
o In times of crisis/calamity, be vigilant in
ensuring that basic commodities are
available in the market
 2. THE RIGHT TO SAFETY
WHAT TO DO:

If you have sensitivity to a certain ingredient, it would be

very beneficial if you read all labels and product circulars
before using a certain product
If you are in a store and have doubts about the product's
effectiveness, ask for a person who knows how the products
works or how to operate
Keep certain products out of the reach of young children.
Watch out for special warning signs in the label of the
product like "NOT SUITED FOR CHILDREN BELOW FOUR(4)
YEARS" or "POISON: For external use only etc."
Before buying products especially in cases when only large
containers are available, it would be best if you ask for a
sample or tester
Be on guard regarding products which are found to be
hazardous.
 3. THE RIGHT TO
INFORMATION
WHAT TO DO:
Before purchasing a product, it is very important for you to
read the label carefully so that you would be able to know
its use, content (chemical ingredients), number of pieces,
how to care for the product
Before signing any document like warranties and
guarantees, credit items or services contacts, it is
important to read and understand all provisions in the
documents especially the fine prints
It is very important to read newspapers, buying guides,
magazines before purchasing a product. Also, consult with
friends who you know have purchased a similar product
If you need to clarify something regarding the use of the
product, don't hesitate to write the company so that you
can obtain a detailed information
It is imperative to look for the name and address of the
manufacturer in case the need arises.
 4. THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE
WHAT TO DO:
Specify what you really want. The biggest size may
be cheaper but it may not be what you need.
Canvass price before purchasing a product or signing
a contract.
Read the manuals or instructions carefully to be able
to compare one product with another because in this
way, you will not miss the fine prints which might
contain the information you need to determine which
product would serve you better.
If product tester are available, be sure to try one.
Be wary of special offers like free items or buy 2 take
1 free. Compare them with the regular priced items
to be sure that you are not paying for the said free
items.
 5. THE RIGHT TO
REPRESENTATION
WHAT TO DO:
Read newspapers, bulletin boards in private
and government offices, especially in your
locality for announcements of public hearings
Take time to attend public hearings or even
meetings conducted in your area wherein
consumer issues are being discussed.
Be aware of how the consumer laws and
regulations are being implemented in your
locality.
 6. THE RIGHT TO REDRESS

WHAT TO DO:
In case you bought a defective product, try going
back to the store where you bought the item and
look for the Consumer Welfare Desk.

You may request a replacement, refund or if

needed, have the defective item repaired.
 7. THE RIGHT TO CONSUMER
EDUCATION
WHAT TO DO:
Scan newspapers, magazines and other reading
materials for articles or newsbits which educate
consumers on how to get the best value for their
peso.
Involve yourself in public hearings or even meetings
conducted in your area wherein consumer -related
issues such as access to basic goods and services,
product quality and safety, sustainable consumption
and the like are being discussed.
Participate in seminars and conferences conducted
by government agencies, consumer groups and
business / industry sector regarding news and
regulations for consumer welfare.
 8. THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY
ENVIRONMENT
WHAT TO DO:
Be aware of the kind and extent of pollution occurring in
your locality like air pollution, noise / odor etc. so that
you would be able to address the problem
Do your share in caring for our environment by
practicing the 3R's of environmental protection:
* REDUCE - the source of solid wastes by buying earth
friendly products. These are products that could be
disposed properly without harming our environment.
* REUSE - products and containers as much as possible.
* RECYCLE - because using recycled products and
recycling per use, will prolong the life of our landfills.
1. Critical
Awareness
2. Action
3. Social Concern
4. Environmental
Awareness
5. Solidarity
 THE LIFE & DEATH OF A
PRODUCT
are determined by the
consumers.
The consumers decision to
buy is power.
PRICE TAG
What is the provision on Price Tag
under R.A. 7394?

The provision on Price Tag, under R.A. 7394,

requires that all consumer products sold in retail
to the public shall bear an appropriate price tag,
label, or marking indicating the price of the
article. Such consumer products shall not be sold
at a price higher than that stated in the price tag.
Why is there a need for price tag?

To provide buyers with adequate information and

guide to enable them to compare quality and
prices of goods, and patronize stores selling
quality products at low prices. To discourage and
minimize haggling which is a waste of time and
energy of both buyer and seller. To expedite
transactions and enable both the buyer and seller
to use the time and energy for more productive
endeavors.
 What are the characteristics of a
Price Tag?

Be clearly written;

State the price of the commodity per unit (piece,

package, pair, dozen, set, kilogram, meter, liter,
etc.) in pesos and centavos, Philippine currency,
except when a law or regulation allows consumer
products to be sold in foreign currency as in the
case of duty free shops; and

Bear no erasures or alterations.

 When are erasures or alterations
in price tag allowed?
Erasures or alterations are allowed only in price
reduction sales promotion campaigns.

Is a price tag required on samples

or dummies on display?
Yes, samples or dummies of products offered for
sale on retail when displayed within the retail
outlets shall also bear the prices of products
which they represent.
 SALES TALK
should not misrepresent the
product or service
the sales personnel must be trained to deal with
all kinds of personalities. Never rude to clients no
matter what mood they are in. For the duration of
the transaction, they are able to make the clients
still feel as if they are the most important people
in the world.

the sales personnel must know the product or

service like the back of their hands. Nothing
annoys consumers more than a sales person who
knows NOTHING about the item he is selling.
 The art of sales talk

It is not to misrepresent the product or service

just so the consumer would buy it. Sales talk
serves to inform consumers that the product or
service addresses a certain consumer need,
therefore it is a given that sales talk highlights
the good qualities of the goods being sold. Still,
trickery and deception should never be a part of
the sales pitch.
 The Consumer Act protects
consumers against deceptive
sales practices.
A deceptive sales act or practice is defined as an
act on the part of the seller that induces a
consumer to enter into a sales or lease
transaction of any consumer product or service
through concealment, false representation or
fraudulent manipulation.
 It is a government policy to promote
and encourage fair, honest, and
equitable relations among parties - the
seller and the buyer - in consumer
transactions.
Retailers are encouraged to promote
transparency to consumers. All
information about a product or service,
especially those that concern pricing
and quality, should be disclosed to the
consumer.
PYRAMID SCAMS
SHOPPING TIPS
 BE A WISE CONSUMER!
Keep these shopping tips in mind!
To save time in locating products, familiarize
yourself with the arrangements of stocks in the
stores where you frequently do your shopping.
To avoid missing special, genuine sales, shop
systematically up one aisle and down the other.
Keep a sharp eye for special price reductions of
products which can be reserved for future use.
Be alert for low-budget, economical but nutritious
recipes and other consumer product information.
Go for quality, not quantity.
 Vary your meals. Look to perk up the appetite of the
family.
Read labels carefully and take note of nutrition
information such as contents, measure, etc.
Look for expiry dates to insure freshness.
Do not be ashamed to ask the assistance of store
supervisor for information or location of some items.
Compare prices per unit or serving.
Help control. Store operating costs which will
indirectly affect prices. Handle merchandise
carefully.
Go for value, not brand.
Time saved is time well-spent. At the check-out
counter, unload items with prices showing.
If you live for having it all, what
you have is never enough.
-Vicki Robin