Difference between revisions of "Consumer Law Essentials"

Latest revision as of 23:11, 1 February 2021

Cover of Consumer Law Essentials

This is a Clicklaw Wikibook, a collaborative, plain language legal publication that is updated as a wiki and can be printed or downloaded.

This Wikibook is used in Law-Related Lessons from People's Law School.

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Consumer Law Essentials from People's Law School describes how to protect yourself when you buy something or hire someone to perform a service. Learn your rights for common consumer purchases and contracts, and steps you can take when something goes wrong.

About

Copyright

Consumer Law Essentials © People’s Law School is, except for the images, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.

Disclaimer

At People's Law School, we believe accurate, plain English information can help people take action to work out their legal problems. This resource explains in a general way the law that applies in British Columbia, Canada. It is not intended as legal advice. Legal advice applies the law to an individual's specific situation. If you want assurance that any information is appropriate to your specific situation, or recommendations on next steps with a specific legal problem, please contact a legal professional. Some sources of legal help are highlighted in the Where to Get Help section.

About People's Law School

People's Law School is a non-profit society in British Columbia providing free education and information on the legal problems of daily life. See more titles from People's Law School.

Related titles

Other titles from People's Law School on consumer law:

Consumer and Debt Law
An in-depth manual for advocates

Scams to Avoid
A primer for the public

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 {{Cover Thumbnail
-|filename = ConsumerLawWikibookCover.JPG
+|filename = Consumer Law Essentials full cover image.jpg
-|title = ''Consumer Law Wikibook'' <br/>(print edition coming soon)
+|title = ''Consumer Law Essentials''}}{{Clicklaw Wikibooks Badge}}{{fmbox
-}}{{Clicklaw Wikibooks Badge}}
+| type       =
-The '''''Consumer Law Wikibook''''' from [[People's Law School]] describes some of the most common consumer problems faced by British Columbians and in particular by newcomers to the province. It aims to help you:
+| small      =
-* understand the laws that protect you when you buy items or hire someone to provide a service, such as home repairs,
+| image      = [[File:LearnTeachBadge.png|40px|link=|alt=]]
-* learn your options when someone owes you money, or you owe someone money, and
+| style = ;
-* learn how to identify scams and frauds and how to avoid them.
+| smallimage =
+| textstyle  =
+| text       = This Wikibook is used in ''[[Law-Related Lessons]]'' from People's Law School.
+}}
+{{Export_Badge
+|SavedBookName = Consumer_Law_Essentials
+}}'''''Consumer Law Essentials''''' from [[People's Law School]] describes how to protect yourself when you buy something or hire someone to perform a service. Learn your rights for common consumer purchases and contracts, and steps you can take when something goes wrong.
 ==Contents==
+<div class="ul-chapters-books">
+* '''[[Introduction to Consumer Law Essentials|Introduction]]'''
-*'''[[Glossary for Consumer Law Wikibook|Glossary]]'''
+*'''[[Making a Purchase]]'''
+** [[Making a Purchase#The seller must not mislead you|The seller must not mislead you]]{{·}} [[Making a Purchase#The seller must not act unfairly towards you|The seller must not act unfairly towards you]]{{·}} [[Making a Purchase#You are protected by the legal warranty|You are protected by the legal warranty]]{{·}} [[Making a Purchase#You can change your mind (for some purchases)|You can change your mind (for some purchases)]]
-*'''[[Problems with a Purchase]]'''
+*'''[[Hiring Someone]]'''
-** [[Problems with a Purchase#How do I start a complaint?|How do I start a complaint?]]{{·}} [[Problems with a Purchase#Steps to make a complaint|Steps to make a complaint]]
+** [[Hiring Someone#Your legal rights|Your legal rights]]{{·}}[[Hiring Someone#Getting a written contract|Getting a written contract]]
+*'''[[Making a Contract]]'''
+** [[Making a Contract#How a contract is created|How a contract is created]]{{·}} [[Making a Contract#Who can make a contract|Who can make a contract]]{{·}} [[Making a Contract#The contract itself|The contract itself]]
-*'''[[Problems with Home Repairs]]'''
+*'''[[Preventing Consumer Problems|Preventing Problems]]'''
-** [[Problems with Home Repairs#What should I put in a written contract?|What should I put in a written contract?]]{{·}} [[Problems with Home Repairs#Tips about hiring a contractor|Tips about hiring a contractor]]{{·}} [[Problems with Home Repairs#Tips about paying for repairs|Tips about paying for repairs]]{{·}} [[Problems with Home Repairs#Disagreements about the repair work|Disagreements about the repair work]]
+** [[Preventing Consumer Problems#Do your research|1. Do your research]]{{·}}[[Preventing Consumer Problems#Negotiate with confidence|2. Negotiate with confidence]]{{·}} [[Preventing Consumer Problems#Have a contract|3. Have a contract]]{{·}} [[Preventing Consumer Problems#Read and understand any contract|4. Read and understand any contract]]{{·}} [[Preventing Consumer Problems#Don't rush the decision|5. Don't rush the decision]]
-*'''[[Someone Owes You Money]]'''
+*'''[[If There Are Consumer Problems|If There Are Problems]]'''
-** [[Someone Owes You Money#How do I write a demand letter?|How do I write a demand letter?]]{{·}} [[Someone Owes You Money#When do I go to court?|When do I go to court?]]{{·}} [[Someone Owes You Money#Getting legal help from a lawyer|Getting legal help from a lawyer]]
+** [[If There Are Consumer Problems#Understand your legal rights|Understand your legal rights]]{{·}} [[If There Are Consumer Problems#Step 1. Decide what outcome you are seeking|Step 1. Decide what outcome you are seeking]]{{·}} [[If There Are Consumer Problems#Step 2. Collect your information|Step 2. Collect your information]]{{·}} [[If There Are Consumer Problems#Step 3. Contact the other party|Step 3. Contact the other party]]{{·}} [[If There Are Consumer Problems#Step 4. Send a complaint letter|Step 4. Send a complaint letter]]{{·}} [[If There Are Consumer Problems#Step 5. Contact a consumer protection agency|Step 5. Contact a consumer protection agency]]{{·}} [[If There Are Consumer Problems#Step 6. Consider legal action|Step 6. Consider legal action]]
-*'''[[Problems with Debt]]'''
+*'''Resources'''
-** [[Problems with Debt#Where do I start?|Where do I start?]]{{·}}[[Problems with Debt#What do I put in my budget?|What do I put in my budget?]]{{·}} [[Problems with Debt#What can the Credit Counseling Society do to help me?|What can the Credit Counseling Society do to help me?]] {{·}} [[Problems with Debt#How do I contact my creditors and what do I say?|How do I contact my creditors and what do I say?]] {{·}}[[Problems with Debt#Debt collectors|Debt collectors]]
+** [[Where to Get Help for Consumer Law Essentials|Where to Get Help]]{{·}} [[Glossary for Consumer Law Essentials|Glossary]]
-*'''[[Identity Theft]]'''
+</div>
-** [[Identity Theft#What does identity theft mean?|What does identity theft mean?]]{{·}} [[Identity Theft#How do they get the information?|How do they get the information?]]{{·}} [[Identity Theft#What you can do to minimize risks|Minimizing risks]] {{·}} [[Identity Theft#What you can do to if your identity is stolen|What can you do if your identity is stolen?]]
-*'''[[Internet Scams]]'''
+==About==
-** [[Internet Scams#"Free trial" scams|"Free trial" scams]]{{·}} [[Internet Scams#Phishing and smishing|Phishing and smishing]]{{·}}[[Internet Scams#Anti-virus scam|Anti-virus scam]]{{·}} [[Internet Scams#Smartphone app scam | Smartphone app scam]]{{·}} [[Internet Scams#Facebook link-sharing scam | Facebook link-sharing scam]]{{·}} [[Internet Scams#Bogus Internet services | Bogus Internet services]]{{·}} [[Internet Scams#Overpayment scams | Overpayment scams]]{{·}}[[Internet Scams#Free government money | Free government money]]{{·}}[[Internet Scams#West African scams | West African scams]]
+=== Copyright===
-*'''[[Loan and Credit Scams]]'''
+[[File:Creativecommonssmall.png|link=Clicklaw Wikibooks Copyright Guide|alt=Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence]] ''Consumer Law Essentials'' &copy; People’s Law School is, except for the images, licensed under a Creative Commons [[Clicklaw Wikibooks Copyright Guide|Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence]].
-** [[Loan and Credit Scams#Advance fee loan scams|Advance fee loan scams]]{{·}} [[Loan and Credit Scams#Bogus credit cards | Bogus credit cards]]{{·}} [[Loan and Credit Scams#Wipe your credit report clean|Wipe your credit report clean]]
-*'''[[Work Scams]]'''
+===Disclaimer===
-** [[Work Scams#Work at home, make huge profits|Work at home, make huge profits]]{{·}} [[Work Scams#Mystery shopper scams|Mystery shopper scams]]{{·}} [[Work Scams#Bogus franchises|Bogus franchises]]{{·}} [[Work Scams#Pyramid schemes|Pyramid schemes]]
+At [[People's Law School]], we believe accurate, plain English information can help people take action to work out their legal problems. This resource explains in a general way the law that applies in '''British Columbia, Canada'''. It is '''not intended as legal advice'''. Legal advice applies the law to an individual's specific situation. If you want assurance that any information is appropriate to your specific situation, or recommendations on next steps with a specific legal problem, please contact a legal professional. Some sources of legal help are highlighted in the [[Where to Get Help for Consumer Law Essentials|Where to Get Help]] section.
-*'''[[Prize, Sales and Relative Scams]]'''
-**[[Prize, Sales and Relative Scams#Prize and contest scams|Prize and contest scams]]{{·}}  [[Prize, Sales and Relative Scams#Door-to-door scams|Door-to-door scams]]{{·}}  [[Prize, Sales and Relative Scams#Relative scams|Relative scams]]
-*'''[[Sources of Help for Consumers]]'''
-** [[Consumer Protection BC]]{{·}} [[Sources of Help for Consumers|Options for information and assistance]]
-==About this wikibook==
+=== About People's Law School===
+[[File:Peopleslawschoollogo-horizontal.jpg|frameless|none|200px|link=]]
-* [[About the Consumer Law Wikibook|Acknowledgements & credits]]
+[[People's Law School]] is a non-profit society in British Columbia providing free education and information on the legal problems of daily life. See [[People's Law School|more titles from People's Law School]].
-* Learn more about [[Clicklaw Wikibooks]] or visit other wikibooks from [[People's Law School]]
-== About People's Law School==
+==Related titles==
-The [[People's Law School]] is a non-profit charitable society whose purpose is to provide British Columbians with reliable information about their rights and responsibilities under the law.
-[[File:Peopleslawschoollogo.png‎|frameless|link=|left|100px]]
+Other titles from People's Law School on consumer law:
-:Suite 150 - 900 Howe Street
+{| cellpadding="5" style="font-size:85%; border: 1px"
-:Vancouver, BC
+|- valign="top"
-:V6Z 2M4
+| [[File:Consumer and Debt Law full cover image.jpg|x200px|link=Consumer and Debt Law]]<br /><div class="center">''[[Consumer and Debt Law]]''<br />An in-depth manual for advocates</div>
-:Tel: 604-331-5400
+| [[File:Scams to Avoid full cover image.jpg|x200px|link=Scams to Avoid]]<br /><div class="center">''[[Scams to Avoid]]''<br />A primer for the public</div>
-:Fax: 604-331-5401
+|}
-:Email: [mailto:info@publiclegaled.bc.ca info@publiclegaled.bc.ca]
-This booklet and others are available on the [http://www.publiclegaled.bc.ca People's Law School website]:
+{{Consumer Law Essentials Navbox}}
-<big>[http://www.publiclegaled.bc.ca '''www.publiclegaled.bc.ca''']</big>
+__NOGLOSSARY__
+__NOTOC__