Texas Real Estate Brokerage Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) Practice Exam

What does the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA) allow an aggrieved consumer to do?

1. Hold the seller of goods and services liable

2. Request a refund without cause

3. Negotiate a lower price

4. Transfer liability to third-party providers

The correct answer is: Hold the seller of goods and services liable

The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA) allows an aggrieved consumer to hold the seller of goods and services liable for deceptive trade practices and unfair methods of competition. This legislation is designed to protect consumers from false, misleading, or deceptive business practices. When a consumer experiences harm due to a seller’s actions that violate the DTPA, they have the right to seek legal remedies, which may include monetary damages, attorney’s fees, and in some cases, punitive damages. This option highlights the core purpose of the DTPA, which is to empower consumers and provide them with recourse against sellers who engage in deceptive practices. The law operates on the premise that consumers have a right to fair treatment and transparency, holding businesses accountable for their conduct in the marketplace. The other choices do not accurately capture the essence and legal implications of the DTPA. For example, negotiating a lower price or transferring liability to third-party providers are not objectives of this consumer protection statute; rather, the DTPA is specifically concerned with addressing deceptive practices and protecting consumer rights against sellers.