1. Introduction to Consumer Rights
As a consumer purchasing educational services from Altajir TFX Trading Academy, you are protected by comprehensive consumer rights under Turkish law. This page explains your rights, the protections available to you, and how to exercise these rights effectively.
We are committed to respecting and protecting all consumer rights as defined by Turkish Consumer Protection Law and related regulations.
2. Legal Framework for Consumer Protection
2.1 Primary Legislation
- Consumer Protection Law No. 6502 (2013)
- Distance Contracts Regulation (2014)
- Consumer Arbitration Committees Regulation
- Commercial Advertisement and Unfair Commercial Practices Regulation
- Electronic Commerce Law No. 6563
- Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098
2.2 Regulatory Authorities
Consumer rights are protected and enforced by:
- Ministry of Trade - Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance Department
- Consumer Arbitration Committees
- Consumer Courts
- Provincial Trade Directorates
- Consumer Organizations and Associations
3. Fundamental Consumer Rights
3.1 Right to Information
You have the right to receive clear, accurate, and complete information about:
- Service features, content, and specifications
- Pricing, fees, and payment terms
- Contract terms and conditions
- Seller identity and contact information
- Delivery methods and timelines
- Withdrawal and cancellation rights
- After-sales services and support
3.2 Right to Choose Freely
You have the right to:
- Make purchasing decisions without pressure or coercion
- Compare different services and providers
- Access competitive pricing and options
- Refuse unwanted services or add-ons
- Change your mind during the withdrawal period
3.3 Right to Safety and Quality
You have the right to:
- Receive services that meet described standards
- Safe and secure digital platforms
- Protection of personal data and privacy
- Quality educational content and materials
- Professional and competent service delivery
3.4 Right to Legal Remedies
You have the right to:
- Seek compensation for damages
- Access dispute resolution mechanisms
- Legal representation and assistance
- Appeal decisions and rulings
- Collective action through consumer organizations
4. Specific Rights for Distance Contracts
4.1 Pre-Contractual Information Rights
Before entering into a distance contract, you must receive:
- Clear identification of the seller and contact details
- Detailed description of services and their main characteristics
- Total price including all taxes and additional charges
- Payment, delivery, and performance arrangements
- Duration of the contract and renewal conditions
- Withdrawal rights and procedures
- Complaint handling and dispute resolution procedures
4.2 Withdrawal Rights
For distance contracts, you have:
- 14-day unconditional withdrawal period
- Right to withdraw without providing reasons
- Right to full refund within 14 days of withdrawal
- No additional charges for exercising withdrawal rights
- Extended withdrawal period if information was not provided
4.3 Digital Content Rights
For digital educational content:
- Right to conforming digital content
- Right to updates and maintenance
- Right to portability of your data
- Right to access during the contract period
- Right to compensation for non-conforming content
5. Protection Against Unfair Practices
5.1 Prohibited Commercial Practices
You are protected against:
- Misleading information about services or pricing
- Aggressive sales tactics or pressure
- Hidden costs or charges
- Bait and switch tactics
- False or exaggerated claims
- Unfair contract terms
- Discrimination in service provision
5.2 Unfair Contract Terms
Contract terms are considered unfair if they:
- Create significant imbalance between parties' rights
- Exclude or limit seller liability unreasonably
- Allow unilateral contract modifications
- Impose excessive penalties on consumers
- Restrict consumer rights without justification
5.3 Remedies for Unfair Practices
If you encounter unfair practices, you can:
- Request immediate cessation of the practice
- Seek compensation for damages
- File complaints with regulatory authorities
- Initiate legal proceedings
- Join collective consumer actions
6. Complaint and Dispute Resolution
6.1 Internal Complaint Process
First step - Contact us directly:
- Submit complaint via email or phone
- Provide detailed information about the issue
- Receive acknowledgment within 24 hours
- Participate in good faith resolution efforts
- Receive written response within 30 days
6.2 Consumer Arbitration Committees
For disputes up to certain monetary limits:
- Free arbitration service
- Quick resolution (typically 3 months)
- Binding decisions on businesses
- No legal representation required
- Available in all provinces
Monetary Limits for Arbitration (2024):
- District arbitration committees: Up to ₺11,910
- Provincial arbitration committees: ₺11,910 - ₺119,100
- Above ₺119,100: Consumer Courts
6.3 Consumer Courts
For larger disputes or complex cases:
- Specialized consumer courts
- Experienced judges in consumer law
- Comprehensive legal remedies
- Right to legal representation
- Appeal rights available
7. Data Protection and Privacy Rights
7.1 Personal Data Protection
Under KVKK (Turkish Personal Data Protection Law), you have:
- Right to be informed about data processing
- Right to access your personal data
- Right to request correction of inaccurate data
- Right to deletion of personal data
- Right to restrict processing
- Right to data portability
- Right to object to processing
- Right to compensation for damages
7.2 Privacy Protection Measures
We implement:
- Data minimization principles
- Secure data storage and transmission
- Access controls and authentication
- Regular security audits and updates
- Breach notification procedures
- Privacy by design and by default
8. Financial Consumer Rights
8.1 Payment Protection
You have the right to:
- Secure payment processing
- Clear pricing without hidden charges
- Refunds processed to original payment method
- Protection against unauthorized charges
- Dispute resolution for payment issues
- Transparent billing and invoicing
8.2 Subscription Rights
For subscription services:
- Clear information about renewal terms
- Easy cancellation procedures
- Advance notice of price changes
- Pro-rated refunds where applicable
- No automatic upgrades without consent
9. Accessibility and Non-Discrimination
9.1 Equal Access Rights
You have the right to:
- Equal treatment regardless of personal characteristics
- Accessible services for people with disabilities
- Non-discriminatory pricing and terms
- Reasonable accommodations when needed
- Multilingual support where available
9.2 Digital Accessibility
Our commitment includes:
- Web accessibility standards compliance
- Screen reader compatibility
- Keyboard navigation support
- Alternative format content availability
- Adjustable text sizes and contrasts
10. Consumer Education and Awareness
10.1 Your Right to Information
You have the right to:
- Clear and understandable contract terms
- Educational materials about your rights
- Regular updates about policy changes
- Access to consumer protection resources
- Training on safe digital practices
10.2 Resources and Support
We provide:
- Comprehensive help documentation
- Customer support in Turkish and English
- Regular webinars about platform usage
- Security awareness materials
- Links to consumer protection organizations
11. Enforcement and Penalties
11.1 Administrative Penalties
Violations of consumer rights may result in:
- Administrative fines for businesses
- Suspension of business activities
- Public disclosure of violations
- Mandatory corrective actions
- Increased monitoring and inspections
11.2 Criminal Penalties
Serious violations may result in:
- Criminal prosecution of responsible parties
- Imprisonment for fraudulent practices
- Significant financial penalties
- Business closure in extreme cases
12. International Consumer Rights
12.1 Cross-Border Protection
For international consumers:
- Recognition of home country consumer rights
- International dispute resolution mechanisms
- Currency conversion protections
- Cross-border enforcement cooperation
12.2 EU Consumer Rights
EU residents also benefit from:
- GDPR data protection rights
- EU Consumer Rights Directive protections
- European Consumer Centre assistance
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform access
13. How to Exercise Your Rights
13.1 Immediate Actions
To exercise your consumer rights:
- Document the issue with screenshots, emails, or receipts
- Contact our customer service team first
- Clearly state which rights you wish to exercise
- Provide all relevant information and evidence
- Set reasonable deadlines for response
- Keep records of all communications
13.2 Escalation Procedures
If internal resolution fails:
- File complaint with Consumer Arbitration Committee
- Contact Provincial Trade Directorate
- Seek assistance from consumer organizations
- Consider legal action through Consumer Courts
- Report to Ministry of Trade if needed
14. Contact Information for Consumer Rights
For questions about your consumer rights or to file complaints:
External Resources:
- Ministry of Trade Consumer Hotline: 175
- Consumer Arbitration Committees: Local Trade Directorates
- KVKK (Data Protection): kvkk.gov.tr
- Consumer Organizations: Various NGOs and associations
