{"id":352488,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/buying-goods.html"},"modified":"2024-02-20T11:35:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T16:35:00","slug":"buying-goods","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/buying-goods.html","title":{"rendered":"Buying Goods and the Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Buying Goods and the Law<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/hannah-hilst\/\">Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            February 20, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <p>Consumer protection laws help protect you when buying goods. These laws ensure fair sales practices, product safety, and the right to refunds or replacements for faulty items.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Buying products is easier and faster than ever. You can order something with the tap of a button from anywhere in the world. But a purchase that seemed like a good idea at the time can have frustrating complications.<\/p>\n<p>Some problems are more serious than buyer&#8217;s remorse. A product&#8217;s quality might be much worse than the seller advertised. Retailers may refuse to honor the return policy or warranty. Orders sometimes never arrive. The payment process could expose you to fraud.<\/p>\n<p>You should know your consumer rights in these situations. Consumer protection laws affect almost every part of your shopping experience. Key laws include the Consumer Protection Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and the Fair Credit Billing Act. Government agencies enforce these laws, helping consumers with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/problems-with-online-shopping.html\">disputes and scams<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This section will explain your legal options for recovering from scams and buying consumer goods. When issues arise, a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">consumer protection attorney<\/a> can help provide relief and protect consumer rights.<\/p>\n<h2>Before You Buy a Product<\/h2>\n<p>When considering a purchase, ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is the seller reputable? Do they have the proper license to sell you the product?<\/li>\n<li>Does the product have any known safety hazards?<\/li>\n<li>What is the expected delivery timeline?<\/li>\n<li>Is this purchase part of a recurring plan?<\/li>\n<li>Have other customers left negative reviews or filed official complaints against the business?<\/li>\n<li>What is the return policy, and how long would you have to return the product?<\/li>\n<li>Is the online seller&#8217;s website secure?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The answers could help you detect potential shopping or product issues before they arise. Whether you&#8217;re browsing in person or online,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/how-do-i-shop-safely-online.html\">taking precautions<\/a>\u00a0is wise. Customers sometimes find out too late that a seller has strict policies, poor data security, or unsatisfactory products.<\/p>\n<h2>Consumer Protection Laws for Everyday Purchases<\/h2>\n<p>Businesses often value good customer service policies to keep you happy and willing to buy from them again. But these policies aren&#8217;t your only source of relief for a shopping problem.<\/p>\n<p>Customers gain rights from many federal and state laws. These laws stop sellers from using deceitful sales practices to take advantage of people. From small online shops to big-box retail stores, all sellers must follow these laws.<\/p>\n<h3>The Consumer Protection Act<\/h3>\n<p>The Consumer Protection Act is one of the broadest federal laws for shopping. This law gives you basic rights, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The right to seek a refund, repair, or replacement for products that are faulty or dangerous<\/li>\n<li>The right to fair, balanced sales contracts and policies<\/li>\n<li>The expectation that sellers only offer products that are safe for their intended uses<\/li>\n<li>The expectation that a product you buy will match the description from the seller, such as the price, materials, size, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/defects-in-warnings.html\">risk warnings<\/a><\/li>\n<li>The opportunity to seek legal action or file a consumer report against a business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you want to know whether a seller violated your rights, the Consumer Protection Act can be a helpful starting point. You can also ask an attorney to explain these rights in the context of your shopping problem.<\/p>\n<h3>Additional Consumer Rights Laws for Shopping<\/h3>\n<p>Paying for goods and recovering from shopping scams can involve other laws, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/credit-banking-finance\/truth-in-lending-disclosure-statements.html\">Truth in Lending Act\u00a0<\/a>(TILA):\u00a0<\/b>This law applies to loans and credit but also relates to shopping-related payment issues. For example, credit card customers don&#8217;t have to pay for fraudulent charges beyond $50.<\/li>\n<li><b>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/bankruptcy\/debt-relief\/debt-collection-laws.html\">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act<\/a>\u00a0(FDCPA):\u00a0<\/b>This law protects you against unreasonable tactics of debt collectors. It might be relevant if you buy a product on an installment contract, such as a cell phone. The retailer or collection agency can&#8217;t harass you for payments under this law.<\/li>\n<li><b>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/legal-library\/browse\/statutes\/fair-credit-billing-act\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fair Credit Billing Act<\/a>\u00a0(FCBA):\u00a0<\/b>This law is part of the Consumer Credit Protection Act. It grants your rights when you dispute billing issues. For example, you may need to dispute a charge on your credit card statement for undelivered merchandise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Many laws contribute to a mosaic of consumer protection rights in the United States. These laws may not directly target the typical shopping experience. Yet, they may indirectly affect your daily purchases, particularly when encountering a problem.<\/p>\n<h2>Many Agencies Enforce Consumer Rights<\/h2>\n<p>You don&#8217;t face large companies and scammers alone. Federal and state consumer protection agencies work to protect consumers from unfair business practices and scams. They regulate marketing,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/consumer-protection-laws-and-agencies.html\">product safety<\/a>, and more.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Federal Trade Commission<\/a>\u00a0(FTC) is the agency that oversees most goods you buy. As part of the federal government, it promotes fair market competition and consumer privacy. It advises customers on shopping safety and related issues, such as identity theft and fraud.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpsc.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Consumer Product Safety Commission<\/a>\u00a0(CPSC) is a federal agency that focuses on product safety standards, defective products, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability.html\">product-related injuries<\/a>. It can also teach you how to safely use the products you buy, such as heavy furniture and baby toys.<\/p>\n<p>Some government agencies focus on specific industries or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer.html\">consumer transaction types<\/a>. For example, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/credit-banking-finance\/what-is-the-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-.html\">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau<\/a>\u00a0(CFPB) monitors lenders, debt collectors, and other financial institutions. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Food and Drug Administration<\/a>\u00a0(FDA) regulates medicine, groceries, cosmetics, and more.<\/p>\n<p>If you encounter a problem with a purchase, one of these agencies may have resources to help you. Your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/credit-banking-finance\/what-consumer-protection-agencies-do.html\">state&#8217;s consumer affairs agency<\/a>\u00a0can also provide information about shoppers&#8217; rights.<\/p>\n<h2>Payment Methods and the Law<\/h2>\n<p>Parting with your money always involves a level of risk. You trust a seller to honor their promises and protect your sensitive information.<\/p>\n<p>You can reduce the risk by understanding how the law applies to each of your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/paying-online-for-goods.html\">payment options<\/a>, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gift cards<\/li>\n<li>A credit card or virtual credit card<\/li>\n<li>Your debit card<\/li>\n<li>Cash<\/li>\n<li>A third-party\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/paypal-square-and-the-law-understanding-online-payment-services.html\">payment service<\/a>\u00a0like PayPal or Stripe<\/li>\n<li>A layaway plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Consumer protection laws affect which one offers you the most protection and value. They determine factors like what you&#8217;re liable to pay and how high interest rates can be. For example, federal law limits fees that diminish the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/gift-cards.html\">value of a gift card<\/a>. Enforcement agencies also investigate and punish payment-related crimes, such as fraud and theft.<\/p>\n<h2>Certain Goods Have Special Rules<\/h2>\n<p>You may want to be aware of special laws affecting particular goods, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/buying-beer-wine-and-spirits-online.html\">Alcoholic beverages<\/a>, including wine, beer, and spirits<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/drone-laws-by-state.html\">Drones<\/a>\u00a0and surveillance equipment<\/li>\n<li>Online products that are only accessible via international shipping<\/li>\n<li>Software licenses<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/buying-plans-and-product-subscriptions.html\">Subscription services<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Livestock,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/buying-a-pet.html\">pets<\/a>, and other animals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Federal and state laws can affect your ability to buy, ship, and use such products. This section features articles that expand on the unique rules for these categories.<\/p>\n<h2>Consumer Law Attorneys<\/h2>\n<p>Talking to the seller usually ends most shopping disputes. Communication often gives the customer a fair and fast solution. Yet, businesses sometimes fail to respect your consumer rights or even their own guarantees.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking with a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">consumer protection attorney<\/a>\u00a0may be your next course of action. Their legal advice can clarify your options to seek direct relief. They can also help resolve complex cases like identity theft or personal injury.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Consumer legal issues typically need an attorney&#8217;s support\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You can hire an attorney to enforce your rights for safe products, fair transactions, and legal credit, banking and related financial matters\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Legal cases for identity theft, scams, or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act can be complicated and slow. An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:0803\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law.html\">\n                        Lemon Law\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/online-scams.html\">\n                        Online Scams\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/travel-rules-and-rights.html\">\n                        Rights to Travel\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Consumer Protection Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/credit-repair\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Credit Repair Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/debtor-creditor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Debtor and Creditor Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/lemon-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lemon Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/professional-malpractice-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Professional Malpractice Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/personal-injury-plaintiff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Personal Injury Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/products-liability-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Products Liability Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When buying products, you likely don&#8217;t think about your consumer rights. But FindLaw explains how consumer protection laws matter when issues arise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":352484,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2732],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-352488","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-consumer"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352488"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":397662,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352488\/revisions\/397662"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352488"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=352488"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=352488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}