Often, people get treated shabbily while making purchases in Nigeria. In fact, some traders or service providers act like they are doing customers a favour. And they get away with this because many customers are ignorant of their rights. These rights exist whether you purchase a product online or in person and are guaranteed under the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, which has been acclaimed to be one of the most comprehensive consumer protection laws ever created in Nigeria.
Consumer rights fall under three major categories; decision rights, safety and quality rights as well as information rights
Safety and quality rights provide that consumers have the right to receive goods that are reasonably suitable for the purpose for which such goods are generally intended and businesses must provide information about their products and services in a manner that is easily understandable by consumers.
Under information rights, businesses are required to provide information about their products and services in a manner that is easily understandable by consumers and is devoid of ambiguity. Also, it provides that they should, as a matter of responsibility, provide full disclosures of material facts, including prices of products and services while prices displayed must be equivalent to point of payment or cash-out prices.
Also, the law provides that customers deserve disclosure of used or reconditioned goods; businesses have an obligation to adequately inform consumers about changes to originality and use of products as well as any notice or agreement that purports to limit, exclude or waive liability of any transaction or indemnity obligations
Under decision right, customer have the right to select suppliers and businesses that display or sell similar products from different manufacturers or suppliers, must respect consumers’ prerogative to choose their preferred supplier.
Customers also have right to cancel advance bookings or order and are entitled to full refunds, subject to reasonable charges cancellations. Where a price or promotion restricts the right to refund, consumers must be informed in writing. Also, they have a right to choose or examine goods displayed or sold from open stock and reject any particular item before completing the transaction.
Consumers reserve the right to return product (except in limited circumstances) as long as product remains in good condition and return is made in a reasonable time.
Businesses must provide only factually accurate information about their products or services; must not employ coercion, undue influence or unfair marketing practices in the supply, sale or distribution of any product or service and must conduct their product or service delivery in a timely manner.
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