How to Identify Unfair Business Practices and When You Need an Attorney

Unfair business practices encompass a wide range of activities. In general, unfair business practices are those designed to take advantage of consumers by making promises that are not fulfilled by the seller or his merchandise. Most commonly this includes:

• Selling defective products
• Misrepresenting the quality or type of products sold
• Misrepresenting the skills or certifications of a service provider
• Promising additional services that are not provided
• Taking advantage of the ignorance of the buyer to recommend additional unnecessary services or products

The best way to identify and avoid unfair business practices is to ask hard questions and shop around. If a salesman seems to be implying that a tool can perform a particular task, ask outright whether it is true. The salesman will either balk or give you a strong case in the event that the tool is defective with respect to that claim. If you get a repair estimate for your car that seems to include many unnecessary items, take it to another mechanic.

In the case of many unfair business practices, you may only be looking to get your money back, and in those cases you generally do not need a lawyer. However, you should seek the assistance of a lawyer in cases where:

• You suffered personal injury
• You suffered secondary losses
• You feel the practices may have impacted a large number of people
• Your investment is large and the seller refuses a refund

If you think you have been the victim of unfair business practices and feel you deserve compensation, please contact Polewski & Associates today for a free initial case evaluation.