CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES
As consumers there are actions that should be taken
to ensure that you are well informed before buying a product or
service, this is to ensure that consumers get what they pay for
and problems with a product or services are solved quickly and to their
satisfaction. You have the responsibility to be fair and deal with problems
quickly. Consumer Responsibilities are actions that all consumers should take to
ensure that they are well informed before buying a product or service. Also
that they get what they pay for and any problems with a product or service are
solved quickly and to their satisfaction.
Some of your responsibilities as consumers
are outlined below:
1. Buying quality products at reasonable price.
It is the responsibility of a consumer to buy a product
after having a thorough knowledge of its price and quality. He should enquire
about the price from 2-3 shops and if possible from government stores to get an
idea of its price. He can have the knowledge about the quality from his own
experiences, from the experiences of other persons and through the medium of
advertisement. Hence it is the duty of the consumer to buy quality product at
right price only.
2. To check the weights and measures before
making purchases.
Generally, the sellers often cheat consumer by using
unfair weights and measures. The consumer should ensure that he is getting the
product of right weight and measure. He should check the weights and balance.
He should not buy a product which has been weighed along with its packing.
Therefore the consumer should remain vigilant when the seller is measuring or
weighing the product. For eg:- While buying cloth, ensure that the shopkeeper
is not stretching the cloth while measuring
3. Reading the label carefully
It is the duty of the consumer to read the label of the
product. It should have complete and true information about the product.
4. Beware of false and attractive
advertisements.
Often the product is not that attractive as it is made
out in the advertisement by the seller. Hence, the duty of consumer is not to
be misleading by the attractive advertisements. For eg:-axe advertisement
(image of girls following…there is also a case on axe company for this)
5. Beware of misleading schemes.
It is the duty of the consumer to beware of misleading
schemes. These days almost every product in the market is available with a
gift, discount, or a free product. Often a consumer allured by such schemes and
buys such products even when it is not needed because he is getting one item
free.
The fact is that the seller has already inflated the
price of the product and recovered its cost
price in the scheme. Hence the consumer should be aware of the
fact that he is getting anything free and should not b unwanted things in greed.
For eg:- For example, a free comb with soap, a discount of on the soap or one free soap on buying
one.
6. To procure the bill, cash received
warranty, etc.
Often the consumer does ask for a bill or cash receipt in order to
avail sales tax. Later on, if the product comes to be defective, he becomes
helpless. Hence it is the duty of the consumer to get the cash receipt, and
warranty card, etc. so he may be able to go to the consumer co; for the
redressal of his grievances.
For eg:- while purchasing Tv, he should get a bill and
warranty from the shop.
7. Buying from reputed shops
It is the duty of the consumer to make purchase from the
reputed shops or government like super bazaar, cooperative stores, etc. By
making purchases from such shops, the consumer can escape from the malpractices
of the manufacturers and shopkeepers. For eg:- malls, retail shops like Reliance Digital
8. Don't make purchases from black
market or in excess
The consumer should discharge his duties of responsible
citizen. He should not buy from black market and in excess of his requirements.
In case of scarcity, like milk in summer, only required quantity should be
purchased, so that others may able to get some. For eg: Piracy of movie DVDs
9. To buy standardized product
Often the consumer buys cheap products which are not
durable or are not safe. Therefore, it is the duty of the consumer to buy
products with standardization marks and is safe in every respect. Eg: check the
ISI mark, bar codes, AGMARK etc.
10. To use a product as per the instruction
of the manufacturer
It is the duty of the consumer to use the product as per
its instructions. For eg:- if a medicine carries instructions-'Store in cool
place-it should be stored in the fridge. This would help in prevention of any
damage to the medicine and loss to the consumer.
11. Knowledge of consumer rights
These days the seller is trying to cheat the consumer in
every possible way to earn maximum profits. It is the duty of the consumer to
be aware of his rights. If a consumer is cheated by a seller, then he should
lodge a complaint rather than to remain a silent spectator.