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Consumerism

Notes on Consumerism

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Kazi Williams
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9 views5 pages

Consumerism

Notes on Consumerism

Uploaded by

Kazi Williams
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Consumerism

Caveat Emptor - The latin phrase caveat emptor means ‘let the buyer beware’.
It was thought that an individual had to be vigilant in the pursuit of satisfying
his wants and needs.

Consumer Affairs Division


There are mechanisms put into place to protect consumers. Government, via the
Consumer Affairs Division, attempts to inform and educate the consuming public
about their rights and responsibilities. The ministries of Consumer Affairs in
most Caribbean islands provide consumers with information on many consumer
goods, consumer education, advisory services and help in dispute resolution.
Such information includes:
● Grade and size of goods;
● Prices of consumer items;
● Desired standard of goods;
● Health and safety requirements;
Other functions of the government department handling consumer affairs may
be:
● The regulation and control of prices;
● The settling of standards, or quality control;
● The enforcement of regulations government labelling;
● The enforcement of regulations government production and sale of food,
beverages and use of drugs.
Consumers should use all the information above to ensure they are buying
intelligently.

In Trinidad and Tobago, consumers have the right to a refund if an item is not
of merchantable quality. This is known as the right to redress.
What is the right to redress?
➔ A platform for consumers to get solutions to their complaints.
➔ The right to access refunds, replacements, repairs and credit notes.
What is illegal in T&T?
➔ For businesses to display “no refund”, “no exchange”, or “no refund on sale
items” notices.
➔ For businesses to charge “banking fees” when processing refunds.
Contact information for T&T’s Consumer Affairs Division - 800-4277,
[email protected] and facebook page @ConsumerAffairsTT

Intelligent Buying
To purchase intelligently you need to have knowledge on the prices of
products/services and the quality of the goods and services around him.
Today, we are faced with countless options of products and services. We are
bombarded with ads on radio, television, newspapers and social media. This
makes it difficult to choose which is best for you as an individual. We encounter
persons with a higher standard of living than our own, and we think we must
have what they are having too. However, we do not actually need those things.
We have come to demand/want more and more things than we actually need. Do
we really need the latest samsung/iphone? No, of course not. This hinders our
ability to buy intelligently. A consumer must use his knowledge and good
judgement when planning to buy an item. You must decide if you truly want that
item and how necessary it is in your life. Things to consider:
1. Would you rather this item over another item of the same price?
2. Which dealer should you buy from?
3. What quality of merchandise should you buy?
4. What price are you willing to pay?
5. Cash or credit?
6. Is the item needed now or can it be bought later?

Sources of technical information


● Labels on products - provides information on:
1. Ingredients
2. size/capacity
3. Caretaking of the product
4. when/where it was produced
5. The expiry date
6. Any necessary warnings
● Radio and television - helps with the use of products, information on new
products, safety and shopping tips.
● Ads - Contains what the product is, what it is made of and what it can do.
● experts/specialists - it is recommended to get expert advice such as
advice from a mechanic when buying a used car.
● newspapers/magazines - it often carries articles to help consumers such
as Consumer Reports. Eg. the recall of Enfamil because a batch was
defective.
● Product testing agencies
● Government organisations such as Consumer Affairs Division

Consumer responsibilities
● Be informed - keep up with information about the product you are
interested in (labels, research etc…)
● Be honest - be honest with the business as you expect them to be honest
with you. Eg. if you received too much change from the cashier.
● Complain in a reasonable manner - ensure you tested the product
according to package instructions before complaining.
● Report unethical business practices - it is your responsibility to report
this so that you can help other consumers as well.

Consumer rights
On 15th March 1962, the Bill of consumer rights was proclaimed by the United
States. The then President, John F Kennedy remarked, ‘If a consumer is
offered inferior products, if prices are too exorbitant, if the drugs are unsafe
or worthless, if the consumer is unable to choose on an informed basis, then his
dollar is wasted, his health and safety may be threatened, and national suffers.’
The bill of Consumer Rights for the US and most countries are as follows:
1. A right to safety - the products must be safe for consumers
2. Right to choice - consumers are given the ability to buy what they want
from a variety of products with reasonable prices.
3. Right to be heard - consumers have a right to complain.
4. Right to information - all necessary information on products that he is
going to buy including refund policies, warranties, restocking etc…
5. Right to education - it is the responsibility of the State to ensure the
consumers are aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding
purchasing.

The Bureau of Standards


In many countries, a Bureau of Standards aids the work of the Consumer
Affairs Division. Their functions include:
● Protect the consumer against danger to health or safety;
● Protect public health or industrial health, welfare or safety such as the
safe disposal of toxic waste by companies.
● Protect the environment. Ensuring the petroleum gas companies are not
polluting our air.
● Ensure acceptable quality of products, for local use or export.
● Ensure quality when manufacturing products
● Require adequate information given to customers eg. if it contains an
allergen such as peanuts for peanut allergy.
● Prevent frauds or misrepresentation arising from misleading ads or labels.
On order for the Bureau to achieve its aims, it carries out:
● Research in relation to international quality specifications
● Examinations and testing of the products
● Inspection on the operation of production facilities.
● Establishment of a standard of quality of all goods
● Collection and publishing of data relating to specifications and standards
● Advising of manufacturing of quality control measures
● Certification of goods that meet an acceptable quality

Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is an officer of the State whose role and function is to serve
as the “protector of the people’ against the abuse and misuse of government
power for personal gains. A citizen can file a complaint to the Ombudsman if you
have been unsuccessful to report a disservice from a government agency and
your reports went unheard. The Ombudsman is an independent body with a
neutral perspective. He has the powers of the High Court to summon witnesses
and whatever necessary for his investigation so that he can see if they acted
unfairly towards you. These services are provided free for the complainant.

Exercise

1. Define the term ‘consumerism’.


2. List four privileges to which consumers are entitled to.
3. Describe four measures the government of your country uses ro protect
its consumers from exploitation. How effective are they?
4. Discuss three technical information consumers can use to make an
informed decision when making a purchase.
5. Suggests other means of consumer protection already in existence.
6. Explain the role and power of the Ombudsman.
7. What are the responsibilities of business enterprises to their customers?

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