Who is a consumer according to the Consumer’s Act 1986?

A consumer is any person who consumes and receives satisfaction by paying the value for purchasing any commodity. The consumer can be a consumer of goods or a consumer of services. According to the Consumer's Act 1986, a consumer is any person who:

• Has paid the value of any item or service or has promised to make payment.

• Has made a partial payment of the reward or partial payment.

• Has made a commitment of payment promised to pay for the consideration in accordance with the delayed payment method.

A consumer is the ultimate and the final person who receives the ultimate satisfaction and benefits from the purchase and consumption of the commodities. The act defines a ‘person’ as an entity that comes under the following:

• Firms registered under the Companies Act 2013

• Unregistered firms

• Associated Hindu family or Hindu undivided family

• Co-operative societies

• Individuals

• Individuals registered under the Registration Associations Act 1978

The act was enacted to protect the interests of the consumers give them the right to be protected against various exploitations faced by them. It enabled the establishments of various consumer councils and other legislatures for protecting their interests.