WHY A CONSUMER LEAGUE?

The Oregon Consumer League works to protect Oregon consumers in the marketplace. Unlike other organizations, we focus on consumer issues that arise when buying goods or services. We are an independent source of product information and consumer power. We educate the public and work to reduce problems Oregon consumers find when shopping -- whether those problems arise from misunderstandings, ignorance, or deliberate sales fraud.

This information is needed more than ever; home economics and family finances are taught less frequently in high schools. Consumer newspaper columns and television shows, common in the 1960's have all but disappeared. Magazines that compare products rarely mention potential problems or consumers' legal rights. Now more than ever, consumers need to know more to protect themselves in the marketplace.

With real wages declining, each dollar spent becomes more precious. The advances made in technology give today's consumer more access to goods and services from all over the world. With these conditions, scams and fraud may become more prevalent. Consumers have become more vulnerable and often lack information and legal recourse in case of sales deception.

There are few consumer protection laws in used auto sales, which now outsell new cars 2:1. Odometer turnbacks are at a thirty-year high; car leasing scams are common; consumer complaints about health care and auto repair are rising. Thousands of complaints pour in every year to the consumer hotlines at Oregon's Department of Justice, but consumers often find out that they have little recourse. We are all consumers. This common interest unites us.

We are forging links with other customer protection advocates to present a strong network dedicated to enforcing the rights people have in the marketplace. Together, we are working to reawaken the spirit of consumer activism long dormant in this country. Our allies include other grassroots consumer groups, state and federal agencies, and attorney associations. We work with consumer advocates in the automotive, financial, and other key industries. We have established the Oregon Consumer Research and Education Council (OCREC), a non-profit organization whose goal is to educate consumers about problems, ways to secure their rights, and provide education about wise family purchasing habits.

The Oregon Consumer League has been working to protect consumers' rights for over thirty years and played a key role in the state's adoption of the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. We helped establish truth in packaging and unit pricing, consumer rights in installment financing, and the state's 'lemon law'. Despite this, Oregon lags behind other states in many vital consumer protections. OCL is dedicated to moving Oregon to the forefront of consumer protection.

We have regularly scheduled public meetings. Members range in age from eighteen to ninety-six and all are active. The meetings are democratic and fun. Volunteers can learn new skills, including public relations, fund-raising, strategy and planning, consumer advocacy, lobbying, coalition building, and member relations.