Abstract:

Purpose - This study examined the impact of some socio-economic and demographic variables on the perceptions of consumers about legal rights in the use of credit and the level of legislative knowledge about the use of credit. Method - The study was conducted with a total of 528 participants, including 276 men and 252 women, who lived in Turkey and used a fixed interest rate consumer or housing financing loan from the Turkish Lira at least once. In this study, which was conducted using a scan model from the Nicel research methods, the perceptions of consumers about the legal rights in the use of credit and the legislative level of knowledge about the use of credit; gender, education and income levels were assessed. For statistical analysis of the data obtained, the SPSS 26.0 statistical package program was used. Results - The research finds that the participants' positive perceptions of legal rights in the use of credit are not high, and that they are on a medium level, and that the participants' level of legislative knowledge is generally low. The study finds that even in matters that could be the key elements of the relevant legislation and could close impact on consumers in the use of loans and payment process, the level of knowledge of the participants is quite low. In Turkey, especially in recent years, the use of consumer loans has increased. In this process, consumers who are unconscious of their legal rights may find unrational preferences and, as a result, may affect consumers' perception of legal rights in the use of credit.

Keywords: