Expections of the consumer

In a consumerist society, consumer value and the consumer are held in great esteem by the producer and by leaders who are in charge of consumer affairs. In our society, as it is at present, consumer value is not being understood; the consumer is short-changed left, right and centre -- and the leaders who are charged with consumer protection don't seem to care.

First, what is being done to ensure that goods costing a mere dime ex-factory are not sold at ridiculously inflated prices by front-line dealers. Second, what is being done to ensure that advertorials containing unsubstantiated claims or less-than-truthful invitations to treat do not see the light of day?