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.
Lowgap is an unincorporated community in the Franklin Township of Surry County, North Carolina. Lowgap is named for the "low gap" the community is settled in among the Blue Ridge Mountains. The community has an elevation of 1,457 feet. Landmarks near the center of the community include the community post office, the community library housed in the former Lowgap School, fire department and area churches. North Carolina Highway 89, also known as West Pine Street, serves as the main thoroughfare in the community.