HAVE YOU EVER TRIED STANDING UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS? (50)

.....And what sort of response did you get?

Good for you Manolito! There is a basis of whats called "common law" - it does not need to be written down in any rule books ..... and that means that no-one has the right to destroy your property, or cause your property to be destroyed. Another common law is that no one has he right to be enriched at anothers expense.

In SA there was/is (?) dont know if it still exists - an organisation called "Consumer Council" and when you felt a business dealer had done you wrong - you report it - if the shop does not honour the "Code of Business Practice Ethics" then this council goes in and completely audits their books and calls in all the town Inspectors to inspect every single thing in their shop..... Fire Dept, Health Dept, Labour Dept, Environmental Control Dept, etc etc. This council is so feared, that the mere mention of reporting to them gets you either your cash back or better service. Especially good for those shops who want to give you a "credit" note instead of a cash back refund for faulty goods.

(My sister bought a genuine hand-woven persian rug, because it had a price ticket at a ridiculously low price. The deal was already done when the Manager appeared, and insisted it had the wrong price tag, and that she owed more money. She told him she will dicuss it with the Consumer Council and if they felt she was in the wrong she would pay up. She never heard another word from him.)

The secret, I think, is to be very very cool and in control, not get excited - merely state your case - and stand there...... waiting for an improvement in service, reasonable explanation, or action - and dont budge till your problems are sorted out .... especially if you have already paid for whatever it is that is not satisfatory.....? And ask them what THEY would expect from you?

If consumers dont stand up for themselves ... then service will just deteriorate. You know - everything works down to the lowest common denominator.