...Essay on Consumer Protection Even after sixty years of independence, the consumer is the most exploited segment of Indian society. During British rule, the colonial rulers exploited the Indian consumer to serve their own interests. He was cheated and fleeceds that wealth may continue to flow into England, the homeland of the imperialist rulers. However, things did not change even after independence. The consumer continued to be exploited and cheated in various ways by the traders, manufacturers, and industrialists in general. He was cheated both in quantity and quality of the goods he purchased. There was cheating at the time of weighing the gods and fancy prices were charged in the absence of any controls and tags indicating the price of article he purchased. Even when the price was indicated the words,” local taxes extra” provided ample scope for cheating. In the absence of any quality-control measures, adulterated goods were sold to him. Essential consumer items like milk, ghee, condiments, pulses, rice, wheat, etc., were all adulterated and sometimes such adulteration proved to be a serious health hazard. Even medicines he purchased were spurious and of inferior quality, sometimes resulting even in the death of the patient concerned. But no effective steps were taken to check such exploitation. The consumer remained helpless because he did not have any organized body or union of his own. Even when now and then, such organizations have been formed, they have remained helpless...
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...“self-creation project” in a saturated world (Wattanasuwan 2005). “Self-creation project” means that we desire for a sense of meaningfulness in our pursuit of “being” in order to feel “alive” in this world (Gergen 1991,cited in Wattanasuwan 2005). We can symbolically acquire it from our everyday consumption and to bridge the intermediate state between our selves and others in society. Therefore, in relation to our advertisement, a woman desires to have a beautiful and formal coloured hair within a limited time for a ball. Kao Kiese not only satisfy anyone whose demand to have a colour hair within a limited time, but also provide symbolism that a beauty image for female in a special occasion. Brown 1995 et al argue that so as to seduce consumers in a marketing campaign, the more those signs and images are detached from their referents (i.e. products), and the more malleable and manifold consumption symbolism becomes. In this advertisement campaign, the poster advert and video advert presented the process and before and after image of using Kao Kiese’s product, it illustrated the symbolism of product is stylish, glamorous, convenient and fun. Gabriel and Lang (1995) claim that whether one is looking for any...
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...Consumer Protection Act 1986: After liberalization of economic policy, consumer goods have flooded the market as never before. Both foreign and India companies are introducing new products and brands with glossy and fancy packing as the middle and lower income groups are taking loans to-Companies still do not pay attention to the quality of their products and also do not value customer satisfaction. Very often a customer may get taken in by a misleading advertisement making tall claim as to the high quality and after-sales service. The consumer may discover later that the goods purchased by him are not up to the claims made by the manufacturer. Companies are not willing to invest in efficient after-sales service so long as their sales keep increasing. Newspaper columns can be seen to be full of complaints and many companies do not care to rectify the complaints. To enable the consumer to have his right to a deal, the consumer protection Act was passed in 1986. The Act promises to rectify all that and make accountant both the manufacture; s and providers of service. It provides for toe setting up of quasi-judicial bodies at district, state and national label for quick and inexpensive redressal of consumer grievances. Three groups-the consumer, registered voluntary consumer associations and the central and state government is covered by this facility. In case a group of person is seeking similar redressal, a class action suit can be filed or may be treated as a public interest petition...
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...Consumer awareness is about making the consumer aware of his/her rights.It is a marketing term which means that consumers are aware of products or services, its characteristics and the other marketing P’s (place to buy, price, and promotion).Though the first consumer movement began in England after the Second World War, a modern declaration about consumer’s rights was first made in the United States of America in 1962, where four basic consumer rights (choice, information, safety and to be heard ) were recognized. Ralph Nadar, a consumer activist, is considered as the father of ‘consumer movement’. March 15 is now celebrated as the World Consumer Rights Day. The United Nations in 1985 adopted, , certain guidelines to achieve the objectives of maintaining protection for consumers and to establish high level ethical conduct for those engaged in production and distribution of goods and services. High prices, duplicate articles, underweight and under – measurements, rough behavior, undue conditions, artificial scarcity are some of the ways by which consumers are exploited by manufacturers and traders. Limited information, limited supplies and low literacy are factors causing exploitation of consumers. In India, the concept of consumer protection is not new. References to the protection of consumer’s interest against exploitation by trade and industry, underweight and measurement, adulteration and punishment for these offences, were made in Kautilya’s ‘Arthashastra’. However...
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...conduct. This lead to the need for law reform. Consumer laws objective was to remedy the imbalance between manufacturer and consumer and reflect the moral and ethical standards of society. The following essay will evaluate the effectiveness of the legal responses which protect consumers with regards to occupational licensing, implied terms, marketing and advertising, exclusion causes, and unfair contracts. A contract is a legally binding agreement. Every consumer transaction is a contract. A contract for goods and services is the main consumer contract; it involves one party (the supplier) supplying goods or a service to another party (consumer) in exchange for money. Contracts are governed under the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act 2010 (Cwlth). The terms of a contract include express terms and implied terms. Implied terms are terms which apply automatically to any contract and don’t have to be stated within the contract. Implied terms include the requirement that the goods supplied: are of acceptable quality, are fit for the purpose of their use, and correspond to any sample shown by the supplier. Implied terms are effective as they can’t be removed and protect an individual and therefore protect society as a whole. However, in rare cases they can be ineffective as they can be hard to identify. The effectiveness of implied terms is shown in “Submission by CHOICE to the Inquiry into unfair terms in consumer contracts” (Choice, 2010) Exclusion causes...
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...Consumer Behavior Models in Tourism Analysis Study Muhannad M.A Abdallat, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Hesham El –Sayed El - Emam, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Faculty of Tourism and Archeology King Saud University ABSTRACT The theories of consumer decision-making process assume that the consumer’s purchase decision process consists of steps through which the buyer passes in purchasing a product or service. However, this might not be the case. Not every consumer passed through all these stages when making a decision to purchase and in fact, some of the stages can be skipped depending on the type of purchases. The reasons for the study of consumer’s helps firms and organizations improve their marketing strategies by understanding issues such as: • The psychology of how consumers think, feel, reason, and select between different alternatives (e.g., brands, products); • The psychology of how the consumer is influenced by his or her environment (e.g., culture, family, signs, media); • The behavior of consumers while shopping or making other marketing decisions; • Limitations in consumer knowledge or information processing abilities influence decisions and marketing outcome; • How consumers’ motivation and decision strategies differ between products, that differ in their level of importance or interest that they entail for the consumer; and • How marketers can adapt and improve their marketing campaigns and marketing strategies...
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...QUESTION Amplify the view that consumers are co-producers. ANSWER Production refers the processes and methods used to transform tangible inputs (raw materials, semi-finished goods, subassemblies etc.) and intangible inputs (ideas, information, knowledge etc.) into goods or services. Co-production thus reflects a conscious strategic decision by consumers to become involved in production-like activities. In other words, it refers to the involvement of consumers in the various value creating activities through which products or services are made. The following accounts for some of the reasons why consumers are considered as co-producers. In the first place, consumers are considered as co-producers because they undertake the consumer feedback activity. Direct contact between consumers and producers is one important effective way of achieving high quality and improved features in a product. Traditionally, when direct contact with producers is impossible, consumers channel their grievances as well as suggestions for products’ improvement through retailers/wholesalers who have a relationship with producers. The 21st century consumer no longer needs to go through the traditional process to pass on information to the producer. All they need to do is to visit the company’s website and make their views on product features known to the producer. For instance, a consumer who purchased an app from the android market can go right back there and write a review on the product. Such reviews...
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...The Consumer Durables industry consists of durable goods and appliances for domestic use such as televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines. Instruments such as kitchen appliances (microwave ovens, grinders etc) are also included in this category. This industry includes all those goods which are durable i.e. products whose life expectancy is at least 3 years. These products are hard goods that cannot be used up at once. According to recent industry reports, the steadily growing market for consumer durables is estimated at Rs. 300 billion. Segmentation of the Consumer Durables Industry: The consumer durables industry can be broadly classified into 2 segments: Consumer Electronics and Consumer Appliances. Consumer Appliances can be further categorized into Brown Goods and White Goods. The key product lines under each segment are as follows: Titan, the market leader in watches and branded jewelry, has clocked the highest Net Sales CAGR of 34% over the last 6 years. It has thecompetitive advantage of a strong brand, which has helped it become the market leader. Using the right segmentation & smart branding strategies, Titan has successfully captured the watch and jewelry market. It has also managed to maintain a good Net Profit Margin of 6% TTK Prestige, the market leader in pressure cookers and kitchen solutions, has registered the highest CAGR of 74% in Net Profit over a 6-year period. 1) Rise in Disposable Income: The demand for consumer durables...
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...Before the 1950s consumers had little protection in the world marketplace. On March 15, 1962, President John F. Kennedy put forth the "Consumer Bill of Rights" to help consumers recognize their rights and responsibilities. March 15 is now declared as World Consumer Rights Day! The six basic consumer rights are: 1. The right to choose. 2. The right to safety. 3. The right to be heard. 4. The right to be informed. 5. The right to a healthy environment. 6. The right to satisfaction of basic needs. The right to choose. Within reason, consumers have the right to be guaranteed that a selection of quality products and services are accessible for them to purchase at reasonable prices. It means that a consumer should have the opportunity to select the goods or services that they want to purchase. The right to safety. Consumers have the right to expect protection from hazardous products and services bought in the marketplace, particularly if used correctly for their intended purpose. Consumers have protection from the sale and distribution of hazardous goods and services. The right to be heard and the right to voice. Consumers have the right to equal and fair consideration in government policy-making situations, as well as apt treatment in administrative courts or legal communities. In other words, consumers have a right to dispute when there are problems or concerns. They have the right to speak up, to be heard, and to expect positive results. With this right, both...
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...49 Introduction [pic] The National Consumer Agency was set up on 1st May 2007. This Annual Report sets out the activities of the Agency for the period from 1st January to 31st December 2009. The Board is pleased to submit to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the 2009 Annual Report in accordance with Section 22 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007. | [pic] |[pic] | Stephen Costello Ann Fitzgerald Chairman Chief Executive Chairman’s Statement The economic downturn of recent times has thrown up many challenges for consumers in Ireland. Harsher trading conditions have forced many retailers to revisit their offerings, whilst job losses and downward pressure on household incomes have meant that consumers are being driven to examine their finances and spending habits more closely than at any time in the past decade. The old proverb says that it is an ill-wind that blows no good, but 2009 was a difficult year both for the business and consumer communities, and the National Consumer Agency stood at the eye of the storm. The Agency continued its strong focus on driving a fair deal for consumers during 2009 with significant outputs both from a commercial practices and a consumer communications...
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...Chapter 12 questions taken directly from the study guide 1. Define consumer misbehaviour. Ans: Consumer misbehaviour is a consumption behaviour that can have adverse affects on themselves or others in some way. Such misbehaviour infringes accepted societal norms. 2. Define compulsive consumer behaviour. Ans: it is the compulsion of buying which has serious consequences. 3. What is a consumer boycott and why would a consumer resort to this? Ans: rejection of a brand or company and the encouragement of the others to so not deal is known as consumer boycott. A consumer would resort to such kind of behaviour when he or she is not satisfied with the product and hence discourages other to buy it. 4. What is consumer misbehaviour related to products and services? Ans: Shop Lifting costs billions of pounds to retailers every year and consumers not only steal products but also engage in insurance fraud, hotel thefts and phone service fraud which also costs millions of pounds every year. 5. What is consumer misbehaviour related to price? Ans: If a consumer has standard rail ticket yet occupies a seat ina first class compartment. This is misused of a service but it is also an example of use without paying which in many guises is misbehaving over price. 6. What is consumer misbehaviour related to distribution? Ans: Boot legging is where illegal copies of dvd’s, videos etc are made and sold. It is considered as distribution misbehaviour as a pricy one. Counter fitting...
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...Comparative Study on Consumer Behavior in a Mall/Public Through Observation In Partial Fulfillment in the Requirements for Marketing 312: Consumer Behavior Submitted by: Jay A. Guades January 2013 Chapter I INTRODUCTION In every business enterprise, studying the behavior of their customers is a must for a business to know how to target and satisfy their consumer’s needs and wants. Consumer behavior is the process involved when individuals or groups select, purchase, use, or dispose of products, services, ideas or experiences to satisfy needs and desires. (Solomon, 2002) We can never tell what consumers to buy and where to buy their needs and wants because as a saying goes, “Customers are always right”. The buying process is a combination of mental and physical activity that ends with an actual purchase. Thus, it is interesting to study the connection within “what we buy” and “why we buy”. (Rubini, 2010) Chapter II Purpose of the Study The main purpose of this paper is to study and analyze the behavior of a consumer in these two kinds of market. The researcher would try to compare and contrast their buying behavior, purchase decision, their preferences and reasons in purchasing a good. Chapter III Methodology The research method for this paper is qualitative. The data gathering and the results were purely based on observation and literature. Chapter IV Findings After a couple of hours of observation, the researcher has come up with the following: Mall The reason...
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...CAP talk What is “consumer”? Consumer can be those who consume basic or necessary goods with various behavior and attitude. According to Investor Words, consumer refers to an individual who buys products or services for personal consumption. A consumer also is someone who can make the decision whether or not to purchase an item at the store, and someone who can be influenced by marketing and advertisements. Any time someone goes to a store and purchases a toy, shirt, beverage, or anything else. They are making that decision as a consumer. Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) is established since 1970 with a slogan “giving a voice to the little people”. CAP is a consumer organization with a difference. Fighting for fair prices and good quality products and services is just one of their many activities. Their main concern is ensuring the right of every consumer to basic needs such as food, housing, health care, sanitation facilities, public transport, education and a clean environment. CAP want to encourage within the people, especially the poor whose needs often go unnoticed and represent their case to government, to the public and to the private companies that oppress them. CAP’s objective emphasized in advice individual consumers and protects their right. Besides, they are in charge to educate consumers, balance consumer needs and degree of protection and to provide relevant consumer rights and entitlements. CAP always ensures prices of goods are fair and appropriate with...
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...CONSUMER PROTECTION Even after sixty years of independence, the consumer is the most exploited segment of Indian society. During British rule, the colonial rulers exploited the Indian consumer to serve their own interests. He was cheated and fleeceds that wealth may continue to flow into England, the homeland of the imperialist rulers. However, things did not change even after independence. The consumer continued to be exploited and cheated in various ways by the traders, manufacturers, and industrialists in general. He was cheated both in quantity and quality of the goods he purchased. There was cheating at the time of weighing the gods and fancy prices were charged in the absence of any controls and tags indicating the price of article he purchased. Even when the price was indicated the words,” local taxes extra” provided ample scope for cheating. In the absence of any quality-control measures, adulterated goods were sold to him. Essential consumer items like milk, ghee, condiments, pulses, rice, wheat, etc., were all adulterated and sometimes such adulteration proved to be a serious health hazard. Even medicines he purchased were spurious and of inferior quality, sometimes resulting even in the death of the patient concerned. But no effective steps were taken to check such exploitation. The consumer remained helpless because he did not have any organized body or union of his own. Even when now and then, such organizations have been formed, they have remained helpless before...
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...decision-making processes related to consumer interests • The right to seek redressal, whenever consumer rights have been infringed • The right to complete consumer education If there is infringement of rights of consumer then a complaint can be made under the following circumstances and reported to the close by designated consumer court: • The goods or services purchased by a person or agreed to be purchased by a person has one or more defects or deficiencies in any respect • A trader or a service provider resort to unfair or restrictive practices of trade • A trader or a service provider if charges a price more than the price displayed on the goods or the price that was agreed upon between the parties or the price that was stipulated under any law that exist Goods or services that bring a hazard to the safety or life of a person offered for sale, unknowingly or knowingly, that cause injury to health, safety or life. There are various consumer Rights, which we have as consumers, these are • Right to safety: This means that consumers have the right to be protected against marketing of goods, which are hazardous to life and property. Before buying goods, a consumer should insist on purchasing quality products with guarantees such as ISI or AGMARK symbols. • Right to be informed: This means that every consumer has the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices. ...
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