Guidelines for Companies in Response to Consumer Education

1. Establish a separate corporate division for consumer affairs.

2. Change corporate practices perceived as deceptive.

3. Educate channel members towards consumerism for better consumer satisfaction.

4. Incorporate the increased costs of consumerism efforts into corporate operating budget used to carry out the program missions.

Guidelines for Consumers in Order to Protect Themselves

The Consumers Federated Groups of the Philippines enumerated the following guidelines for consumers:

1. Canvass of prices.

2. Buy from outlets whose integrity are beyond reproach.

3. Buy only quality goods, if you can afford them. Avoid impulse buying.

4. Be sure to get the right quality and quantity of product for your money.

5. Be careful in buying goods offered in big discounts. Some bargain sales are deceptive.

6. When buying on credit, find out the exact amount of interest.

7. Finally, report any violation of consumer rights to the Department of Trade and Industry. In the event a violation appears to have been committed, the consumer should submit a written or a verbal report of the apparent violations of the law with the following basic information:

a. The name, address and telephone number of the consumer reporting; and the firm/entity being complain about;

b. The acts or omissions constituting the offense including the approximate date, place and time of its commission; and

c. Any other relevant information the consumer may have regarding the matter.

Complaint may be filed with either of the following offices:

a. Local Provincial Governor.

b. Local City/Municipal Mayors.

c. Provincial/Regional Department of Trade and Industry