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You buy a new bike for your daughter as a birthday gift. When she tries it in the park three weeks later, you both notice the front tire is bent. What do you do? Should you fix it yourself and avoid the trouble of going back to the store? Has the return time lapsed? Is the bike it still covered under warranty? What do you if you didn't purchase extra insurance coverage ?

The blue sweater, you bought has given you a rash. When you look at the label, you notice that it's not 100% cotton as advertised. Instead, it is made from a mix of unpronounceable materials. Can you dispute the seller's claims?

These are some of the scenarios that customers go through daily. Consumer protection laws are meant to protect us against these types of issues. That is why it's important to familiarize ourselves with the more common consumer protection laws.

Consumer Warranties and Service Contracts

Whenever you buy merchandise, it comes with a warranty. This is a guarantee that it will serve the purpose it was purchased for - in other words, it will work.

The two basic types of warranty are express and implied. An express warranty is a promise from the seller, either written, oral or in an ad, promising that the item will perform its function for a specified period. Whether the item purchased is new or used, an express warranty is a guarantee that the item will work. However, not all items come with an express warranty.

The law automatically provides the second type of warranty, the implied warranty. Implied warranties are a part of all retail sales of new and used consumer goods. Basically, the retailer of an item implies that the item will work properly and be of average grade and quality, as long as it is used for the purpose it was sold. For example, a refrigerator will keep stuff cool as long as you are not trying to cool the entire room, and a blender will blend as long as you are not blending rocks.

Whenever you buy something, it's important to get warranty specifics in writing. Find out what the warranty covers. Does it cover service fees if the item needs to be repaired? How long is the warranty? According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). an implied warranty can last as long as four years but the actual time period can vary according to the state.

Dealing with Warranty Breach

If a warranty is breached, get the item replaced or repaired by the seller. If that doesn't work, try resolving the dispute through mediation. If that fails you have the right to sue the manufacturer or seller. Service contracts cannot be canceled after you signed them, but according to the FTC, there is a cooling off period where under certain circumstances, you might be able to void a contract. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov ) for information on the right way to approach your particular situation.

To file a complaint about a seller or manufacturer, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission or call up your local prosecutor and ask for the consumer fraud division. If you were defrauded by a telephone solicitor or fell into a TV advertisers trap, the Federal Communications Commission is the place to turn for help.

Avoiding Scams

According to the book, "The Truth About Avoiding Scams" by Steve Weisman. scam artists always take advantage of whatever is happening at a particular place in time. In the wake of the housing bust of , for example, there were a lot of phony foreclosure rescues that caused people to lose the equity in their house to so-called rescuers. There are also numerous scams involving the popular social websites, Facebook being one of the most popular and, thus, scam-prone. (If you want to save your home, avoid bogus offers and take matters into your own hands. Check out Avoiding Foreclosure Scams .)