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.
Langley is a city in Island County, Washington, United States near the eastern end of the north shore of the south end of Whidbey Island. It is the third largest incorporated area on Whidbey. The population was 959 at the 2000 census, while the ZCTA for Langley's post office had a population of 4,878. The geographical area of the city is only 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) but the ZCTA includes 26.20 square miles (67.86 km²). Today, Langley is a tourist destination. Many businesses in the city promote themselves in tourist pamphlets available around the world. Langley is home to a 1930s era movie theatre, a grocery store of the same vintage, and several restaurants. Langley is served by Island County Fire District #3 the Langley Police Department, and is the home of the South Whidbey School District #206. The current mayor is Paul Samuelson (2008–2012), and the police chief is Bob Herzberg. Based on per capita income, Langley ranks 92nd of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.