CONSUMER EDUCATION Ch 12 Flashcards
Define consumer
A consumer is defined as a person who purchases products or services to satisfy his personal requirements.
What are services?
Services are intangible set of actions or assist the consumer perform a particular activity. Electricity, telephone, school facility, hotels, restaurants, cinema, postals, etc. are examples of services.
What are consumable goods?
Consumable goods are perishable goods such as wheat, vegetables, fruits, salt, sweets, etc.
What are durable consumer goods?
Durable consumer goods have a longer shelf life. For example, refrigerator, furniture, car, electric goods, etc.
What are some of the problems faced by the consumers?
The problems faced by the consumers are as follows:-
1) DELAYED AND INADEQUATE SERVICES
2) VARIATION IN PRICES
3) DEFECTIVE PACKAGING
4) ADULTERATION
5) SALES GIMMICKS
6) DEFECTIVE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
7) HOARDING OF COMMODITIES
8) SUBSTANDARD QUALITY
9) FALSE MANUFACTURER
10) CUSTOMER PERSUASION BY SHOPKEEPERS
11) INADEQUATE / MISLEADING LABELLING
What are the reasons of variations in prices?
The reasons for variations in prices are as follow:-
1) Retail markets charge more for the same product as compared to wholesale market.
2) Loose products are cheaper as compared to packaged products. This is because of the packaging cost.
3) Maximum Retail Price (MRP) is inclusive of the seller’s commission. At times, sellers forgo their commission to sell the product at a cheaper price.
4) Retailers also include extra charges for providing convenience services such as free home delivery.
5) Products are also sold at cheaper prices during the end of season sale and stock clearance sale.
6) Also, Lower quality products are sold at cheaper rates as compared to superior quality process.
7) Goods cost more if a lot of middlemen are involved in the sale purchase process. In this chain of sale and purchase, the procurement price is the lowest and retailers sale price is the highest.
What are the malpractices done by the sellers who overcharge their customers?
Malpractices by sellers who overcharge their customers are as follows:-
1) Selling imitation of branded products to customers
2) Selling loose products or products without labels or packaging so that the customer is not able to check the actual price.
3) Some products are sold at different prices in different states. Often the seller takes advantage of this situation and sells the product at maximum price.
4) Consumers pay high prices for goods which are not easily available. This may be due to lack of demand, shortage. Of production, late deliveries, seasonal items etc.
What is incidental adulteration?
Incidental adulteration is due to the accidental mixing of products of different qualities, for example, food adulterated with mice defecation during storage.
What is intentional adulteration?
Intentional adulteration is always done to cheat the consumers and make more profit.
What are the defective weights and measures?
1) WEIGHTS - Often crooked weights such as bricks and stones are used. Also, weights with hollow bottom are utilised. These weight much less than the actual weight. These weights are used without the stamp of weight and measure department. They may also be dented because of which they are lighter than the actual weight.
2) WEIGHTING BALANCE - Use of altered weighting balance is also a common malpractice in the market.
3) MEASURING CUPS JARS - Often shopkeepers tamper with the jars and cups to cheat the customers. Some of them include: i) False and lifted base bottom, utilised for measuring liquids, is also a common malpractice when measuring milk or oil.
ii) Using cups/jars with thicker base is also common.
4) METERS - Meters that measure distance or weight may not show zero, example in taxis or petrol pumps.
5) FABRIC MEASUREMENT - Shopkeepers often attempt to given less quantity of cloth-increasing their profit by using the following techniques: i) Use of faulty measuring tape which is either bent, short or dented.
ii) Excessive stretching of the fabric while measuring.
iii) Use of measurement makings on the table instead of using a standard iron scale.
What are some misleading trade practices?
1) Introducing attractive gifts and discounts with sub-standard or poor quality products.
2)DECEPTIVE PACKING OF PRODUCTS : Packaging small portion of product in large and attractive packaging making it difficult for the customer to assess the quantity of the products.
3) INADEQUATE/MISLEADING LABELLING: Shopkeepers cheat their customers using inadequate/misleading labelling in the following ways: i) Use of similar brand name, packaging, labelling so as to cleverly disguise a good quality product with a poor quality product.
ii) Use of faulty/misleading labelling.
iii) Insufficient information on the label of a product. A good label should give you information as regards the composition, date of expiry, directions of storage and use.
4) Selling products expired or near expiry date at cheaper prices.
5) Selling lower quality products after improving their condition or packaging.
6) DUPLICATE MANUFACTURING : Imitation products are commonly sold in the Indian market
