What is consumer awareness?

Answer 1

Anyone who consumes goods is a consumer. Consumers get exploited in the market. They respond to advertisements and buy goods. Generally advertisements do not give all the information that a consumer needs t know or wants to know about a product.

Some of the common methods of exploitation are

1. Under weight and under measurements -not measured or weighed correctly
2. Substandard Quality -defective home appliances and medicines beyond expiry date
3. High prices-charging above the retail price
4. Duplicate Articles-selling fake items in the name of the original
5. Adulteration and Impurity-is done to get higher profits
6. Lack of safety Devices-absence of inbuilt safeguardsin appliances
7. Artifical Scarcity-hoarding and black marketing
8. False and Incomplete Information-misleading information on quality, durability, and safety.
9. Unsatisfactory after sales Service-high cost items like eletronics and cars require constant and regular service.
10. Rough behaviour and Undue conditions-harassment in getting LPG connection or a telephone connection..

Factors causing exploitation of Consumers.

1. Limited Information-providing full and correct information will help in the choice
2. Limited Supplies-when goods and services are in short supply then price shoots up
3. Limited Competition.-single producer may manipulate the market in terms of price and stocks.
4. Low Literacy.-illiteracy leads to exploitation.Hence Consumer Awareness is essential.

Rise of consumer Awareness

Kautilya was one of the earliest to write in his Arthasastra about the need for Consumer awareness and protection. With the growth of private sector there is a greater need for discipline and regulation of the market. Consumers must be aware of the sale and purchase of goods, the health and security aspects also. Ensuring the safety of food items sold in the market is essential these days.

Legal measures for consumer safety and consumer awareness must be uniform, and transparent in terms of prices, quality of goods, and stocks. Consumers must have the tools to combat malpractices and protect their rights.

Rights and Duties of Consumers

As codified under the Indian Laws the Consumers have the following Rights

1. Right to Safety-to protect against hazardous goods
2. Right to be Informed-about price, quality, purity
3. Right to Choose-access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
4. Right to be Heard-consumers interest and welfare must be taken care of
5. Right to seek Redressal-protection against unfair trade practicesand settling genuine grievances.
6. Right to Consumer Education.-Kowledge about goods and issues related to consumers.

Duties

1. Get a bill for every important purchase and also the Warranty card
2. Check the ISI mark or Agmark on the goods
3. Form consumer awareness groups
4. Make a complaint on genuine grievances.
5. Consumers must know to exercise their rights.

Consumer protection Measure1. Legislation concerning Consumer Rights.

The Consumer Protection Act 1986 provides for consumer disputes redressal at the state and national level. With the help of this law the agencies can solve grievances in a speedy, simple and inexpensive manner. A separate department of consumer affairs was set up at the state and central government. A three tier system of consumer courts at the National, State and District levels were set up. These agencies have done good work by handling lakhs of cases.

2. Public Distribution System.

To protect the poor from price rise and black marketing the government food security to the poor by supplying essentials through the ration or Fair price shops.

3. Standardisation of Products.

These are done to assure the quality of products. The ISI stamp on goods is placed by the Bureau of Indian standards. This caters to industrial and consumer goods. These goods can be trusted to confirm to specific standards. Agmark is meant for Agricultural products.

At the International level the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) located in Geneva sets common standards. The FAO and WHO provide food standards.

Legal formalities for filing a complaint.

The complaint can be written on plain paper. The supporting documents like the warranty card must be attached. A lawyer is not required. We can argue our case.

Answer 2

Consumer awareness refers to the proactive steps taken to educate consumers on their rights.