Consumer protection refers to the laws designed to aid retail consumers of goods and services that have been improperly manufactured, delivered, performed, handled, or described. Such laws provide the retail consumer with additional protections and remedies not generally provided to merchants and others who engage in business transactions, on the premise that the consumers do not enjoy a sufficient bargaining position with respect to the businessmen with whom they deal and therefore should not be strictly limited by the legal rules that govern recovery for damages among businessmen. The overarching goal is to protect individuals and the interest of the public in general from unfair and misleading activity in business and commerce (such as false advertising and deceptive trade practices) and scams perpetrated by criminals (such as identity theft and pyramid schemes) that harm a substantial number of consumers.
Healdsburg is a city located in Sonoma County, California, USA. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city had a total population of 10,722. Healdsburg is a commercial center for northern Sonoma County as well as being one of Northern California's wine capitals: three of the most important wine-producing regions meet in Healdsburg. Though the town was not founded during Mexican rule, Healdsburg is centered on a 19th century plaza that provides an important focal point for tourists and locals alike.