Consumer Protection and E-Contracts: Consumer Rights, Redressal Machinery and Online Transactions (Basics) Questions

Question 1

Define consumer (brief).

Accepted Answer

A consumer is a person who buys goods or avails services for consideration for personal use (not for resale/commercial purpose, in general exam sense).

Question 2

State any one consumer right.

Accepted Answer

Right to safety.

Question 3

What is e-contract?

Accepted Answer

An e-contract is a contract formed electronically through online communication such as websites/apps/email.

Question 4

What is click-wrap agreement?

Accepted Answer

A click-wrap agreement is an online contract where a user accepts terms by clicking “I agree”.

Question 5

State one relief provided by consumer forum.

Accepted Answer

Refund of the price.

Question 6

What is unfair trade practice (brief)?

Accepted Answer

Unfair trade practice includes misleading ads or unfair methods to promote sale of goods/services.

Question 7

List any three consumer rights.

Accepted Answer

Any three consumer rights are:

1) Right to safety.
2) Right to be informed.
3) Right to choose.

(Other rights: right to be heard, right to seek redressal, right to consumer education.)

Question 8

Explain any three consumer responsibilities.

Accepted Answer

Consumer responsibilities (any three):

1) Check MRP/expiry date/quality marks.
2) Demand bills/receipts and keep records.
3) Read warranty/return/refund policy, especially in online purchases.

Question 9

Explain the three-tier consumer redressal structure (brief).

Accepted Answer

Consumer redressal structure (exam level):

1) District Commission/Forum: local disputes.
2) State Commission: higher value cases and appeals.
3) National Commission: highest level and appeals.

Thus, there is a hierarchical system for filing complaints and appeals.

Question 10

Write any three common consumer complaint grounds.

Accepted Answer

Common grounds (any three):

1) Defective goods.
2) Deficiency in service.
3) Unfair trade practice / misleading advertisement / overcharging.

Question 11

Explain any three features of e-contracts.

Accepted Answer

Features of e-contracts (any three):

1) Formed electronically and paperless.
2) Quick acceptance through clicks/online consent.
3) Records stored electronically; terms often standardized.

Question 12

Write any three precautions for safe online transactions.

Accepted Answer

Precautions (any three):

1) Verify seller/website and use secure payment gateways.
2) Do not share OTP; use strong password and 2FA.
3) Keep invoices/emails/screenshots and read refund/return policies.

Question 13

Explain consumer rights and their importance. Use a table and conclude.

Accepted Answer

Consumer rights protect buyers from exploitation and ensure fair trade. They help maintain quality standards, transparency and trust in the market.

| Consumer right | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Right to safety | protection against hazardous goods/services |
| Right to be informed | information about quality, price, risks, etc. |
| Right to choose | access to variety at fair prices |
| Right to be heard | consumer interests considered |
| Right to seek redressal | compensation and remedy for defects/deficiency |
| Right to consumer education | awareness of rights and responsibilities |

These rights reduce unfair practices, encourage responsible business behavior and give consumers confidence.

Therefore, consumer rights are essential for protecting consumers and promoting ethical business practices.

Question 14

Describe consumer redressal machinery and reliefs available. Use a table for the structure.

Accepted Answer

Consumer redressal machinery provides a quick and simple way for consumers to resolve disputes relating to defective goods, deficiency in services and unfair trade practices.

| Level | Forum/Commission | Role |
|---|---|---|
| District | District Commission/Forum | first level for local disputes |
| State | State Commission | higher value cases and appeals |
| National | National Commission | highest level and appeals |

Reliefs/remedies that may be ordered include: repair or replacement of goods, refund, compensation for loss or injury, removal of defects/deficiency, and discontinuation of unfair trade practices.

Thus, the three-tier structure ensures access to justice and an appeal mechanism for consumer disputes.

Question 15

Explain e-contracts and online transactions: formation, types and precautions. Include a small flowchart.

Accepted Answer

E-contracts are contracts formed electronically through websites/apps/email. They are common in online purchases, subscriptions and digital services.

Formation (simple view):

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  A[Offer on website/app] --> B[User reviews terms]
  B --> C[Acceptance
(click "I agree" / place order)]
  C --> D[Online payment/confirmation]
  D --> E[Contract formed + electronic record]
```

Types:
- Click-wrap: acceptance by clicking “I agree”.
- Browse-wrap: using the site implies acceptance of posted terms.
- Shrink-wrap (in some cases): terms inside packaged software.

Precautions: verify seller and gateway, avoid sharing OTP, use strong passwords/2FA, read refund/return policy, and keep screenshots/invoices.

Therefore, understanding e-contract types and safe practices helps consumers avoid fraud and claim remedies if disputes arise.

Consumer Protection and E-Contracts: Consumer Rights, Redressal Machinery and Online Transactions (Basics)

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