Difference between revisions of "Governing Legislation and Resources for Consumer Protection (11:II)"

*This legislation regulates contracts for the sale (or lease) of goods, but not services. The ''SGA'' is not concerned with the ethics of the transaction unless there is also a defect in the manner in which the contract is carried out (e.g. if the goods are not delivered, are damaged, or are unfit for the purpose for which they were sold). The protections are stronger for new goods than for goods that the purchaser knows are used.  

*The ''BPCPA'' is concerned with the ethics of a transaction, such as deceptive and unconscionable practices as well as information requirements for many types of consumer contracts. The BPCPA also gives consumers the right under some circumstances to get out of contracts in which the consumer has ongoing obligations under the contract, such as time share, gym memberships, and book of the month contracts. If the client wishes to get out of future obligations under a contract, see [[Direct Sales, Future Performance, and Time Share Contracts (11:V)#A. Direct Sales | Section V.A: Direct Sales]], below. In addition, the Act regulates businesses that offer such contracts and other transactions that are open to abuse, such as direct sales and payday lenders. One of the key features of the Act is that it provides for statutory causes of action for certain kinds of consumer transactions.

''Motor Dealer Act'', RSBC 1996, c 316 [''MDA''].

*The ''MDA'' sets out the requirements for motor dealers selling vehicles to retail consumers. It requires disclosure of the prior history of a car (for example, its use as a taxi) and any damage  suffered over $2,000, and other important information. Clients with consumer complaints regarding car dealers should be directed to the Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia, which has the authority to investigate consumer complaints and provide dispute resolution. Note that some amendments to the MDA regarding the Customer Compensation Fund recently came into force on 2016-05-19.  

*The PPSA governs all security agreements as well as chattel mortgages, conditional sales, floating charges, pledges, trust indentures, trust   receipts, assignments, consignments, leases, trusts, and transfers of chattel paper that secure payment or performance of an obligation. A security interest is an interest in goods or other property that secures payment or performance of an obligation for a lender. It used to matter who retained title; however, recent cases abolished title as an important factor. See also [[Conditional Sales Contracts and Security Agreements (11:VI) | Section VI: Conditional Sales Contracts and Security Agreements]].  

*This Act states that a promissory note is a written promise to pay a specified sum of money, at a fixed time or on demand. These are commonly used in conjunction with executory contracts, where one party has fulfilled his or her material obligations and the other party still has some or all outstanding.  

*Consumer Protection BC operates at arm’s length from government and has responsibility for a range of licensing, inspection, investigation, and enforcement activities. If consumer protection legislation appears to have been violated, the aggrieved party can phone Consumer Protection BC to report the infraction. This is the office to contact for students (on behalf of clients) seeking action by the Director under the statutory causes of action found in consumer protection legislation. This office also has a mandate to receive and act on consumer complaints generally.  

*The VSA is a regulatory agency that oversees the retail sales of motor vehicles in British Columbia. This is the office to contact if one believes that the MDA has been violated or one has questions regarding the provisions in the MDA.  

Telephone: (604) 682-2711  

*Businesses voluntarily join this association, which provides self-policing of the business community. Complaints against a member company can be made at this office, which offers an extra-judicial resolution process for conflicts between consumers and member companies. Information about a specific member company can also be obtained.

Telephone: (604) 687-4680