The mid-20th century saw a significant expansion in the purchase of consumer goods and in the use of credit. At the same time, several changes in the nature of consumer credit took place. Credit cards made credit more readily available for goods and services and mass production, automated selling methods and the growth of consumer credit brought advantages. But they have also provided opportunities for predatory practices and deception. Originally published in 1979, and based on surveys and interviews, this book presents a review of some of these developments, together with an evaluation of some of the techniques of control over abuses in the marketing of consumer goods. The book discusses the financing of consumer goods, the variables that might have causative significance in leading to satisfactory or unsatisfactory transactions, and the legal positions of the time in relation to consumer problems.