Consumers -- and States -- Have Rights
There are many entities involved in the purchase of a product:
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The consumer - person or entity who takes their money to buy the product.
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The seller - person from whom the item is bought.
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The manufacturer - one who created the product.
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There also might be multiple distributors involved in a transaction as well.
When a product does not work correctly, people often go to the seller to fix the problem. Unfortunately, sellers sometimes refuse either because they want the consumer to deal with the manufacturer directly or because they are not interested in spending the time necessary to provide good customer service.
Know your consumer rights
If you buy a product that is not working the way you expected or the way you were promised, you should know your rights. If the seller is uncooperative, it may be necessary to file suit. Consumer fraud law is one of Fibich Hampton's priorities. We can explain your options and deal with the seller to help make the situation right.
Contact us to discuss your options.
Call 1-888-751-7050.
Deceptive Trade Practies Act - DTPA
Under state law, most consumer fraud cases involve violations of the a Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which makes it against the law for a seller to:
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misrepresent the quality of his product
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switch components of a product without informing the buyer
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advertise a low price that he fails to honor, and
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make incorrect statements about the need for repairs
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indicate a product has certification or approval it does not
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sell a product as new when it is reused or reclaimed
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misrepresent the terms or effect of an agreement,
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do many other bad acts.
In a sucessful DTPA suit, the seller pays the attorney's fees and costs for the consumer to get the outcome he deserves.
Other laws help consumers too
In addition to the DTPA, consumers can sue under common law fraud, and in many cases a state's usury law makes unconscionable interest rates illegal.
Consumer Laws are not just for individuals
Consumer fraud protection is broader than a single item purchased by an individual consumer. The law also protects groups of consumers and can apply in large-scale transactions. For example, the DTPA has been successfully used against pharmaceutical companies who advertised their drugs as being better or more effective than was true. Also, homeowners turned to the DPTA when insurance companies and contractors used bad business practices following recent storms and hurricanes.
If you believe you have been sold a product that does not function as promised or if your contractor is not doing adequate work, you may have rights under your state's consumer fraud laws.
Call now for a free confidential consultation.
1-888-751-7050