Consumer Protection Laws and Tips

Cash Register Price Screen Visibility
When a retail customer is within five feet of a cash register at the time a retail sale occurs, the customer's view of the price screen on the cash register cannot be obstructed.

Gasoline Price Disclosure
Gasoline Price Ordinance requires anyone selling motor vehicle fuels to display at least one sign stating the kinds of fuel available, minimum retail price per gallon to the nearest 1/10 of a cent and any conditions of sale.

Price Gender Discrimination
Gender-Based Pricing is a form of Discrimination. Charging more for products or services on the basis of a buyer's gender is against the law in Miami-Dade.

Price Gouging
Just prior to a disaster and during the early recovery period, items like food, ice, generators, lanterns, lumber, etc. may be in short supply. Charging “unconscionable prices” for these and other necessities prior to and after a disaster is not only unethical, it's illegal. An “unconscionable price” is determined by comparing the price asked during an emergency with the price charged for the same commodity during the preceding 30-day period. Merchants are not permitted to charge excessive prices unless the increases in prices are attributable to cost increases incurred by merchants.

Price Misrepresentation
Miami-Dade County laws make it unlawful to misrepresent the price of any good or service. Advertisements for goods or services must reflect the complete purchase price. Any limitation or other condition must be conspicuously stated next to the complete purchase price.

Alcohol Warning Signs
Owner or operators of any package or food store selling alcoholic beverages are required to post alcohol warning signs.

Check Cashing Establishments
Establishments that charge for cashing checks must display a sign, printed legibly and placed conspicuously near the cashier, disclosing a schedule of their changes for cashing the check. This law does not apply to banks, trusts, or savings and loan associations.

Baby Diaper-Changing Accommodations
The Baby Diaper-Changing Accommodations Ordinance (Section 8A - 114 of Miami-Dade County Code) requires certain new and remodeled business establishments to have baby changing stations accessible to men and women.

Cable Television
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulates cable television providers. Contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services if you would like to file a complaint or have general inquiries about your cable television provider.
Contact:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Consumer Services
Terry Lee Rhodes Building
2005 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500
1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) - Florida only
If calling from outside of Florida:  850-488-2221
1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) - En Español

Dry Cleaning Businesses
The purpose of the Miami-Dade County dry cleaning and laundering ordinance is to provide consumer protection, satisfaction and confidence when engaging the services of a cleaner. It requires timely claims and cleaner responses, prohibits gender price discrimination and creates private cause of action for violations.

Immigration Services
The Unlawful Immigration Services Ordinance requires Notary Publics to adhere to specific advertising criteria to lower the risk of confusion and potential for fraud affecting those seeking immigration assistance.

Locksmith Services
Any person who installs, repairs, rebuilds, rekeys, repins, recodes, services, adjusts, opens or modifies locks, mechanical and electronic security locking devices and peripherals, safes, vaults, safe deposit boxes, and closed circuit television systems must register with the County.

Non-Discrimination In Tipping
The law prohibits discrimination in tipping at food service establishments.

Shopping Carts
Warning notices regarding the removal of shopping carts are required to be affixed to shopping carts and posted on signs in parking areas.