Consumer Studies
The Consumer
2022
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INVESTIGATE AND EVALUATE CHANNELS FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
IN THE FOOD, TEXTILE AND HOUSING INDUSTRY.
● National Consumer Protection Act, and Food Labelling Act, channels
for complaints and watchdog organisations over the food textile,
housing and clothing industries.
2. ANALYSE THE IMPLICATION OF TAXES, INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF AVAILABLE FUNDS ON ACQUIRING FOOD,
CLOTHING, HOUSING AND FURNISHING.
● Taxes- income tax, VAT, property tax, import duty, capital gains tax,
excise duty, estate duties, donations tax, transfer duties, licences
● Interest received and paid, fixed vs variable(fluctuating)
● Inflation and Consumer Price Index
● Globalisation- imports and exports
3. EVALUATE FINANCIAL AND CONTRACTUAL ASPECTS.
● Types of contracts
● Cooling off period
● Exclusion clauses
● Unfair business practices
● Warranties and guarantees
● Grey goods
● Scams
● Stokvels
● Pyramid schemes
1
, CHANNELS FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
The Consumer is protected by the National Consumer Protection Act.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Poor service, bad quality products and misleading contracts are just some of the problems faced
by South African consumers. But the rights of South African consumers are protected by law,
which means that they can demand redress if they were unfairly treated.
There are various laws in place to protect consumers, the most important being the National
Consumer Protection Act (Act 68 of 2008) and the National Credit Act (Act 34 of 2005).
National Consumer Protection Act
This act was implemented in April 2011 and outlines key consumer rights, including the right to:
● Be heard. Consumers have the right to be heard on issues which affect them.
● Safety. Consumers must be protected against hidden dangers in products or services.
● Redress. You have the right to a replacement, refund or repair when sold faulty goods.
● Be informed. You have the right to be given all the information you need about a
product or service.
● Choice. Consumers have the right to a variety of products and services that are
competitively priced.
● Consumer education. Consumers have the right to education that will empower them
to make informed decisions.
● Satisfaction of basic needs. Everyone has the right to basic goods and services such as
food, water, sanitation and education.
● A healthy environment. Everyone has the right to a physical environment that will
enhance their quality of life.
National Credit Act
The NCA (Act 34 of 2005) was implemented in June 2007 and covers all aspects of credit and all
credit providers must comply with this law. It established the National Credit Regulator(NCR),
which ensures that the credit industry complies with the law.
2
The Consumer
2022
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INVESTIGATE AND EVALUATE CHANNELS FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
IN THE FOOD, TEXTILE AND HOUSING INDUSTRY.
● National Consumer Protection Act, and Food Labelling Act, channels
for complaints and watchdog organisations over the food textile,
housing and clothing industries.
2. ANALYSE THE IMPLICATION OF TAXES, INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF AVAILABLE FUNDS ON ACQUIRING FOOD,
CLOTHING, HOUSING AND FURNISHING.
● Taxes- income tax, VAT, property tax, import duty, capital gains tax,
excise duty, estate duties, donations tax, transfer duties, licences
● Interest received and paid, fixed vs variable(fluctuating)
● Inflation and Consumer Price Index
● Globalisation- imports and exports
3. EVALUATE FINANCIAL AND CONTRACTUAL ASPECTS.
● Types of contracts
● Cooling off period
● Exclusion clauses
● Unfair business practices
● Warranties and guarantees
● Grey goods
● Scams
● Stokvels
● Pyramid schemes
1
, CHANNELS FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
The Consumer is protected by the National Consumer Protection Act.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Poor service, bad quality products and misleading contracts are just some of the problems faced
by South African consumers. But the rights of South African consumers are protected by law,
which means that they can demand redress if they were unfairly treated.
There are various laws in place to protect consumers, the most important being the National
Consumer Protection Act (Act 68 of 2008) and the National Credit Act (Act 34 of 2005).
National Consumer Protection Act
This act was implemented in April 2011 and outlines key consumer rights, including the right to:
● Be heard. Consumers have the right to be heard on issues which affect them.
● Safety. Consumers must be protected against hidden dangers in products or services.
● Redress. You have the right to a replacement, refund or repair when sold faulty goods.
● Be informed. You have the right to be given all the information you need about a
product or service.
● Choice. Consumers have the right to a variety of products and services that are
competitively priced.
● Consumer education. Consumers have the right to education that will empower them
to make informed decisions.
● Satisfaction of basic needs. Everyone has the right to basic goods and services such as
food, water, sanitation and education.
● A healthy environment. Everyone has the right to a physical environment that will
enhance their quality of life.
National Credit Act
The NCA (Act 34 of 2005) was implemented in June 2007 and covers all aspects of credit and all
credit providers must comply with this law. It established the National Credit Regulator(NCR),
which ensures that the credit industry complies with the law.
2
