Active learning ideas
Consumer protection focuses on the rights of individuals when buying goods and services and the legal remedies available when things go wrong. Students study the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980, which mandates that goods must be of merchantable quality, fit for purpose, and as described. They also explore the Consumer Protection Act 2007, which deals with unfair commercial practices and misleading advertising.
Activity 01
One student plays a customer returning a faulty smartphone, and the other plays a shop manager. The customer must use specific legal terms (e.g., 'merchantable quality') to demand a refund, repair, or replacement, while the manager must respond within the law.
What are the core rights of a consumer?
Activity 02
Students find examples of Irish advertisements (online or in print) and evaluate them against the Consumer Protection Act 2007. They must identify any potentially misleading claims or 'aggressive' sales tactics and present their findings to the class.
How does the CCPC protect consumer interests?
Activity 03
Provide students with three scenarios (e.g., a dress that shrank in the wash, a haircut that looks nothing like the photo). Students must decide which law applies and what the best remedy is, then compare their answers with a partner.
What remedies are available for breach of consumer rights?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
You are always entitled to a refund if you change your mind.
Legally, a shop does not have to give a refund for 'change of mind' (unless bought online). They only must provide a remedy if the item is faulty. Role-playing 'change of mind' vs. 'faulty' scenarios helps students understand the limits of consumer law.
Signs like 'No Refunds' are legally binding.
Signs that claim to take away a consumer's basic rights are illegal and unenforceable. Discussion of 'illegal signs' helps students realise that statutory rights always override a shop's private policy.
Methods used in this brief
Stakeholders and their Relationships
Identify the various stakeholders in a business and analyse their competing interests. Students will explore cooperative and competitive relationships within the commercial environment.
8 methodologies
Industrial Relations
Analyse the causes of industrial disputes and the mechanisms for conflict resolution in Ireland. Students will review the role of trade unions and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
8 methodologies