Missouri is falling behind many states in protecting its consumers.  We allow predatory businesses to operate virtually unchecked.  We allow unethical marketing tactics to lure people in a bait and switch fashion.  It is imperative that we as responsible citizens not allow irresponsibility from our businesses.  We need a declaration that Missouri businesses will abide by an ethical code and standard that does not prey on our citizens and take advantage of them, but offer them honest advertising and quality products and services that will benefit both the business and the consumer.

First, predatory business schemes like title and pay day loans should be regulated to not charge more than 30% a year.  Paying 150% for a title loan is legal robbery.

Second, if an item is advertised as free, it should be free- no strings attached and no forms to fill out.   Rebates should be instant instead of a predatory scheme that hopes the consumer will miss a deadline or fail to meet a requirement of the offer in time.

Third, the advertised item should be exactly as advertised- not see store for details.

Fourth, the disclaimers on television advertising should be 15 seconds for each sentence listed.  A five second disclaimer that is a paragraph long is impossible for an individual to read, much less comprehend.

Finally, all consumers should be able to return an item still under warranty to the retailer in which they purchased it from. Hopefully, this would alert businesses not to purchase cheap products from countries that produce these inferior goods- many times with child labor.

These are some of my ideas to protect Missouri consumers and make Missouri known for outstanding consumer protection.  I would like to see Missouri known as the place to shop and live.