Deceptive sales are a serious problem for consumers. They undermine trust in the security industry and the reputation of security dealers. ESA has a number of ways to help protect consumers from fraudulent companies.
The first step is to make sure that you are dealing with a legitimate dealer company. Look for a company that has been in business for at least a decade and is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. If you do not find that company, you should avoid dealing with the company and contact your state insurance department or local consumer protection agency to report the company.
You may also want to consider a professional insurance agent. A professional agent can help you get the right coverage at the best price. If you are unsure of your needs, a licensed insurance agent can answer all your questions and recommend a policy that fits your specific situation.
Many people are unaware that they are victims of deceptive sales, but it is possible to prevent such acts from occurring. In addition to contacting the Better Business Bureau, you should ask your salesperson about any illegal practices and if they have a good reputation in your area.
Another way to help protect yourself from deceptive sales is to check out the reviews on online sites. If you see any negative reviews, it is important to note that they may be posted by non-employees and therefore might not have been unbiased.
These reviews are important because they can help consumers make a decision about whether or not to purchase the product. In order to be considered accurate, a review must provide enough information to allow a reasonable person to decide if the product is the right one for them.
This means that a good salesperson should be able to answer your questions and explain the product in a clear and concise manner. A deceptive salesperson might not be able to do this and may instead try to mislead you into purchasing a product that is not appropriate for you.
The Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies have a number of laws to help protect consumers from deceptive sales. They can issue cease and desist orders or other sanctions to help stop such practices from occurring.
FTC regulations define deceptive sales as practices that are unfair to consumers or that are likely to mislead a consumer, acting reasonably under the circumstances, with respect to a material matter. Examples of deceptive sales include false advertising, misleading advertising and comparative misrepresentation.
SS 233.3 Advertisements of retail prices that have been established or suggested by manufacturers (or other nonretail distributors) are deceptive if the advertised price is not the price at which articles are generally sold in the advertiser’s trade area. Moreover, the advertised price must be a price at which substantial sales have been made in that trade area.
The FTC has also held that advertising that a product is “the most advanced” or “the best” is deceptive if it is not backed by sufficient evidence to support the claim. Similarly, a manufacturer’s representation that a particular product will pay for itself in the long run is also deceptive if it is not supported by facts that would enable a reasonably prudent consumer to assess the risk.