Being an effective consumer when shopping for food Flashcards

1
Q

What is a consumer?

A

anyone who buys a product, or uses a service, in either the public sector or the private sector.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does being an effective consumer include?

A
  1. Knowing about your consumer rights and responsibilities.
  2. Being aware of where to find expert consumer advice.
  3. Being able to deal confidently with issues such as complaining about faulty goods or poor service and making your voice heard.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the barriers to being an effective consumer?

A

ACCESS
AGE
ETHNICITY
KNOWLEDGE
RESOURCES

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why is ACCESS a barrier to being an effective consumer?

A

Some consumers are unable to access the goods or services they need, or are prevented from doing so, due to physical barriers associated with MOBILITY, SIGHT, HEARING or LEARNING DIFFICULTIES/DISABILITY.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why is AGE a barrier to being an effective consumer?

A

This can be linked to judgment of a consumer’s knowledge, confidence and experience, eg. young people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why is ETHNICITY a barrier to being an effective consumer?

A

LANGUAGE BARRIERS and cultural differences can affect someone’s ability to understand their rights and responsibilities as a consumer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why is KNOWLEDGE a barrier to being an effective consumer?

A

A consumer’s level of knowledge, NUMERACY and LITERACY will have an impact on their capacity to be an effective consumer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why is RESOURCES a barrier to being an effective consumer?

A

An extensive range of resources affect a consumers ability to be effective, including where they LIVE, the TIME and MONEY they have available, and how they prioritise these.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the advantages of independent grocery shops?

A
  1. Offer personal and friendly service.
  2. Usually in residential areas or town centres for ease of ACCESS.
  3. Often sell things in small quantities, helping consumers to save money and reduce waste.
  4. Many offer artisan, locally produced products.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the disadvantages of independent grocery shops?

A
  1. EXPENSIVE
  2. Opening HOURS may be RESTRICTED
  3. ACCESS and PARKING may be RESTRICTED
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the advantages of supermarkets?

A
  1. ECONOMIES OF SALE means they can offer value for money.
  2. Offer an EXTENSIVE RANGE of products, services and facilities.
  3. Offer a range of FINANCIAL INCENTIVES eg. loyalty cards.
  4. EXTENDED opening HOURS.
  5. Easily ACCESSED through parking and large aisles for mobility access.
  6. Often SPECIAL OFFERS eg. BOGOF.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the disadvantages of supermarkets?

A
  1. Usually situated OUT OF TOWN, therefore transport is essential.
  2. BUSY and LARGE making shopping time consuming.
  3. Special offers and extensive range of food available can encourage IMPULSE BUYING, which increases expenditure and may contribute to food WASTE.
  4. LACK OF PRODUCE available.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the advantages of markets?

A
  1. May be CHEAPER than shops, particularly when buying in small quantities.
  2. Local and seasonal produce are widely available.
  3. EXTENSIVE RANGE of food products.
  4. FRIENDLY, sociable experience.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the disadvantages of markets?

A
  1. Packaging and labelling may not be available to determine quality.
  2. Outdoor markets are DEPENDENT on WEATHER conditions.
  3. Usually only operate on SPECIFIC DAYS and EARLY in the morning.
  4. ACCESS can be an issue eg. parking in busy town centres where food markets are often located.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the advantages of farm shops?

A
  1. Consumers can SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS and SMALL BUSINESS.
  2. More SUSTAINABLE to eat locally grown food eg. reduce food miles.
  3. FRIENDLY as it is usually a family-run business.
  4. Artisan products the may not find elsewhere eg. local honey.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the disadvantages of farm shops?

A
  1. EXPENSIVE, as production methods may be more costly.
  2. LIMITED range of SPECIAL OFFERS and price promotions when compared to other shopping options.
  3. LIMITED opening HOURS.
  4. Need access to CAR as often located in rural areas.
17
Q

What are the advantages of online shopping?

A
  1. Available 24 hours hours a day, 365 days a year.
  2. Offer various PAYMENT METHODSS eg. credit card
  3. Extensive RANGE of products and services can be purchased, including specialist and overseas brands.
  4. PRICE CHECKING a wide range of retailers for the best value for money.
  5. Click and collect or home delivery schemes make shopping online CONVENIENT.
18
Q

What are the disadvantages of online shopping?

A
  1. Cannot personally EXAMINE and select items that may affect the QUALITY of food received.
  2. Consumers must have a CREDIT or DEBIT card to buy online which may raise SECURITY ISSUES.
  3. Goods and services can be time consuming to compare and may be MISREPRESENTED.
  4. Delivery/return charges can be EXPENSIVE, adding to the overall cost of products.
  5. Can be TECHNICALLY DEFICULT for those with no experience with technology.
  6. Must have access to a PHONE or LAPTOP, not inclusive.
19
Q

What are the advantages of shopping apps?

A
  1. Make ordering QUICK and EASY.
  2. Extensive range of takeaway menus eg. Just Eat.
  3. Some deliver meals from nearby food retailers that do not normally offer a takeaway service eg. Deliveroo.
  4. Many PAYMENT OPTIONS eg. cash on delivery, PayPal, Apple Pay or debit or credit card.
20
Q

What are the disadvantages of shopping apps?

A
  1. Could cause OVER-RELIANCE on FAST FOOD, which can have a NEGATIVE IMPACT on HEALTH in the LONG TERM.
  2. May DISCOURAGE food preparation at home, which could have an impact on food-handling skills.
  3. EXPENSIVE.
  4. Consumers need to have access to the apps and feel CONFIDENT using them.
21
Q

What is the role of the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service?

A
  1. Promote and maintain fair trading.
  2. Protect consumers.
  3. Enable reputable businesses to thrive within NI
  4. Enforce a wide range of consumer protection laws.
  5. Provide advice and guidance to both consumers and traders.
22
Q

What areas related to food does the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service deal with?

A
  1. Weights and measurements.
  2. Pricing.
  3. False or misleading descriptions.
23
Q

What does the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service say about weights and measurements?

A

All food sold by weight or volume must be accurately measured.

24
Q

What does the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service say about pricing?

A

It is illegal for retailers to give consumers price indications that are misleading, or give price comparisons, that are not fair or meaningful.

Food retailers must display the price of all goods they offer for sale and must also show the unit price of goods that are pre-packed in fixed quantities.