Sales, Bargains, Discounts Consumer Basics Sales, Bargains, Discounts Shoppers face fictitious pricing, perpetual sales and more when trying to decipher a true bargain in the aisle.
Engagement Marketing Consumer Basics Engagement Marketing How companies get us to engage and form a relationship with the brand or product they are selling.
Deceptive Marketing 101: Recyclable Claims Consumer Basics Deceptive Marketing 101: Recyclable Claims How products marketed as “recyclable” end up in landfills.
FDA Registered, Cleared, Approved: What’s the Difference? Consumer Basics FDA Registered, Cleared, Approved: What’s the Difference? Medical devices like to tout their status with the FDA. But what’s behind these terms?
Product Placement Consumer Basics Product Placement Products that pop up in movies and television shows are often there for specific advertising reasons.
Truth is Not Always a Defense Consumer Basics Truth is Not Always a Defense The truth is bigger than the sum of an ad’s parts.
Federal Laws Governing Ads Consumer Basics Federal Laws Governing Ads There are many federal laws that regulate advertisements in some way or another.
Sweepstakes & Prizes Consumer Basics Sweepstakes & Prizes Sweepstakes and lotteries may be scams in disguise.
Entertainment Software Association Consumer Basics Entertainment Software Association The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is an association based in D.C. that is exclusively dedicated to serving video game companies. The group lobbies Congress and other legislative bodies extensively in…
Service Contracts and Extended Warranties Resources Service Contracts and Extended Warranties Is it worth it to pay extra for that extended warranty?
The First Amendment and Commercial Speech Consumer Basics The First Amendment and Commercial Speech When the government can restrict commercial speech.
Recording Industry Association of America Consumer Basics Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that supports and promotes major music companies. The RIAA’s main function is to protect the rights of artists and…
Celeb Endorsements Consumer Basics Celeb Endorsements Why is your favorite celebrity attracted to that specific product?
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Basics Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Congress created the CFPB after the 2009 financial crisis to regulate mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and other financial products and services used by consumers.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service Consumer Basics U.S. Postal Inspection Service Among its many responsibilities, the USPIS enforces the laws regarding illegal or dangerous use of the mail system and conducts investigations (sometimes in conjunction with other federal agencies, like the…
The Fine Print – Read It Consumer Basics The Fine Print – Read It What the ad giveth, the fine print is not supposed to taketh away.
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Consumer Basics Jewelers Vigilance Committee The Jewelers Vigilance Commitee, which was formed in 1917, provides education and self-regulation to the jewelry industry.
Bait & Switch Advertising Consumer Basics Bait & Switch Advertising Advertised deals get consumers in the door but not necessarily the price or product they wanted.
Does Size Really Matter? A Primer on Slack-Filled Packaging Consumer Basics Does Size Really Matter? A Primer on Slack-Filled Packaging What to know about the FDA’s rule on under-filled or slack-filled packaging.
What is Industry Self-Regulation? Consumer Basics What is Industry Self-Regulation? Self-regulating organizations can have varying impacts on the standards that are set for the way industries do business.