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.
Lockwood is an unincorporated community in Monterey County, California. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east-southeast of Jolon, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) north of the mouth of Tule Canyon, 3 miles (4.8 km) north of San Antonio River, and 9.3 miles (15 km) north of Bryson, at an elevation of 971 feet (296 m). Lockwood is in southern Monterey County and is a small town consisting of farms, ranches, and vineyards. Lockwood encompasses the San Antonio Lake, a very popular destination for many boaters and wakeboarders all around San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties. There is a post office in Lockwood, a community center, Fayter's Equine/Repair Service, and 2 stores, the Pleyto Store and the Lockwood Store. Just outside of Lockwood is Hesperia Hall, located in Bryson-Hesperia. Lockwood also encompasses the San Antonio Valley Vineyards and several Olive groves. Award winner San Antonio Valley Olive Ranch (SAVOR Extra Virgin Olive Oil) is among the many new Olive groves in the area. The first post office opened in 1888. The name honors Belva Lockwood, candidate for President of the United States in 1884 and 1888 on the Equal Rights Party ticket. The ZIP Code is 93932, and the community is inside area code 831.