UnderCurrent would like to wish everyone in the appliance and electronics industry a Happy World Consumer Rights Day!
Consumers have come a long way since US President John F Kennedy spoke about their rights to the United Nations on this day in 1962.
Back then, UnderCurrent understands, businesses offered goods and services to consumers, the second of those could give money to the first for the provision of goods and the completion of services. It was a terrible system.
It is a much better system these days.
Consumers have the right to buy products online from overseas and have them shipped to Australia without paying GST.
Consumers have the right to buy from parallel importers, benefiting shady operators rather than the local subsidiary that employs fellow Australians.
Consumers have the right to complain incessantly about differences in price between Australia (minimum wage: $15.96 per hour) and the United States (minimum wage: $7.25 per hour).
Consumers have the right to milk expert sales staff for information and advice before purchasing it online from a pure player at a cheaper price.
Consumers have the right to demand federal inquiries from MPs as to how much an iPad costs.
Consumers have the right to sue a telecommunications provider over perceived carrier inefficiencies.
Consumers have the right to intimidate and target retailers and suppliers who advertise during certain radio shows.
Consumers have the right to purchase a product, take it home and use it, and then return it to a store in an unsaleable condition, demanding a full refund.
Consumers have the right to wage social media wars against retailers for ridiculous claims of deforestation.
Yes, UnderCurrent thinks this is a much better system.
Happy World Consumer Rights Day!