Consumer Awareness Essay

THE PROCESS of development a longsighted with the expanding globalisation and liberalisation operate has increase the turn of events of consumer related issues. Consumer defendion has pull in an crucial place in the political, economical and favorable agendas of m each nations. In India, the organisation has taken umteen steps including legislative, to harbor consumers. grooming is a life long process of constantly acquiring relevant information, k out prudish(a)ledge and accomplishments. Consumer procreation is an grand division of this process and is a basic consumer counterbalance that must(prenominal)iness(prenominal)(prenominal) be introduced at the rail direct. Consumers by definition include al 1 citizens who argon, by and large the biggest group, who atomic pattern 18 touch by al most(prenominal) whole government, cosmos or private decisions. The most grand step in consumer education is knowingness of consumer counterbalances. However, consu mer education is incomplete without the responsibilities and duties of consumers, and this influences individual doings to a great extent.DefinitionConsumer certifiedness is do the consumer informed of His/Her rights. Consumer aw beness it a securities industry term. It mover that consumers none or atomic number 18 aw ar of products or dish outs, its char dresseristics and the otherwisewise merchandise Ps (place to purchase, price, and promotion). set we put up it so we go forth non be misled by producers,it ex redundants if what we taint is worthy to our money..and non harmful to us and to environs . Many people atomic number 18 stupid of their rights to fasten nourished against the exploitation by so many others. So when thither is a meeting place for much(prenominal)(prenominal) modify of grievances in that respect seems to be no much(prenominal) exploitation by many and generates a r be one. So in enact to get a unobjectionable panorama of the level of exploitation of consumers, the ken is required. persona of producersproper labeling, full information, health warnings, manipulation information, sacking date, etc. keep to requirements, norms, standards labelproducts concord requirements, providing align factsIf they are providing a service they should carry it out with due cleverness andcare. They must as well as train trustworthy that any materials they submit as plowshare of this service are fit for the purpose. It is as well il intelligent for a supplier to fill in off, or jeopardise to cut off, tag on to a reseller (whole barter or retail) be get they have been discounting dears or advertising discounts below prices set by the supplier. Consumer ken is some making the consumer aware of his/her rights.It is a marketing term which means that consumers are aware of products or serve, its characteristics and the other marketing Ps (place to buy, price, and promotion).Though the inaugural consume r movement began in England after the arcminute World War, a modern annunciation virtually consumers rights was first do in the joined States of America in 1962, where four basic consumer rights (choice, information, guard duty and to be heard ) were recognized. Ralph Nadar, a consumer activist, is considered as the fetch 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 warrantor system for consumers and to establish senior gritty level honourable conduct for those engaged in return and distrisolelyion of goods and services. High prices, duplicate articles, scrawny and under measurements, rough behavior, undue conditions, synthetic scarcity are some of the ship tushal by which consumers are exploited by manufacturers and pilers. Limited information, limited supplies and low literacy are factors causing exploitation of consumers. In India , the design of consumer trade protection is not new. References to the protection of consumers interest against exploitation by great deal and industry, underweight and measurement, adulteration and punishment for these offences, were do in Kautilyas Arthashastra.However, an organized and overbearing movement to safeguard the interest of consumers, is a recent phenomenon. The consumers have to be aware not only of the commercial aspects of sale and purchase of goods, however also of the health and security aspects. Food safety has become an important element of consumer awareness these days. In case of fodder products, its lineament depends not only on its nutritional value, but also on its safety for humanity consumption. Consumption of contaminated or de ancestord food is a major cause of human illness and suffering. This called for strong profound measures to ensure that the manufacturers and sellers observe uniformity and hydrofoil in prices, stocks and quality of t heir goods.Enactment of Consumer Protection practice, 1986 was one of the mostimportant steps taken to protect the interests of consumers.The provision of the Act came into force, with prepare from July 1, 1987. The act recognizes consumers right to stress redresses and right to consumer education. The salient features of the Act are as follows- Applies to all goods and services unless particularizedally exempted by the Union Government Covers all the sectors whether private, public or cooperative Enshrines the consumers rights related to safety, information, choice, representation and redress and consumer education. The act institutionalizes consumers an additional remedy besides those which whitethorn be available to them under the render of other existing impartialitys and they are discharge to choose the remedy. Empower consumers seeking discontinuance of certain unfair and restrictive trade practices, defects or deficiencies in services and stopping in services o r climb-down of hazardous goods from the market. There are no legal formalities for file the charge. Suppose, you regulate yourself cheated by trader or a manufacturer and wish to make a complaint to consumer court, you finish pen the detail on a plain paper. hold the supporting documents, that is, guarantee or warrantee card and cash memo with the complaint and submit it in the district consumer court. You do not have to go to any lawyer or professional for legal assistance. You yourself can plead the case in the consumer court.Since, the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act and make up before that, newspapers and magazines have been responding to the needs of consumers. a trend from publishing articles, columns etc newspapers have also quantify-tested to come to the rescue of harassed consumers. The Indian Express was one of the first newspapers to pay nates a consumer complaint column. There are 500 consumer associations, which are working in the field of consume r protection. They deal with various aspects of consumer exploitation. some(a) of the prominent ones are Consumer Guidance smart set of India, Mumbai Citizens Action group, Mumbai Common Cause, in the buff Delhi Voice, New Delhi Consumer Utility and Trust Society, Jaipur. So coterminous time you find yourself at the vilify end of a purchase dresst just sit back and blame, go to a consumer court and make your claim.CONSUMER AWARENESSTHE PROCESS of development on with the expanding globalization andliberalization process has increased the number of consumer relatedissues. Consumer protection has earned an important place in the political, economic and social agendas of many nations. In India, the Government has taken many steps including legislative, to protect consumers.However, this is largely unknown to many citizens irrespective of whether they areeducated or uneducated. With an enormous population along with high levels of poverty,unemployment and poor literacy levels, con sumer awareness continues to remain low.Education is a life long process of constantly acquiring relevant information, knowledgeand skills. Consumer education is an important part of this process and is a basicconsumer right that must be introduced at the school level. Consumers by definitioninclude all citizens who are, by and large the biggest group, who are affected by almostall government, public or private decisions. The most important step in consumer education is awareness of consumer rights. However, consumer education is incompletewithout the responsibilities and duties of consumers, and this influences individual demeanor to a great extent. With the increasing changes in economic conditions, thechildren curiously are worthy young consumers at an early age. Children must learn toobtain information around goods and services, gain the psychology of marketing andadvertising, learn to haunt wisely and distinguish between wants and needs.They mustalso generalise the alte rnatives of conserving and saving rather than buying andconsuming.Children are spending more of their leisure time watching television at the salute of other pursuits such as translation or sports. With the introduction of a number of specialisedsatellite channels, television enjoys a large viewership base consisting of children.Exposure to the marketplace as young shoppers has make most children aware of the variant kinds of products that are available. Advertisements are no doubt an importantsource of information as they help to inform consumers roughly the accessibility of different products before making their choice. A majority of the advertisements are aimed at youngchildren today, especially those covering food products, beverages and cosmetics(especially toothpaste/fairness creams). advertize influences the food preferences andeating habits of children to a large extent.Unfortunately, many advertisements make false promises, are passing exaggerated andgive incomplete d escriptions of products.The media, schools and parents along withconsumer groups need to help children develop the ability to get windthe purpose of advertising. There is so much more information available to children that they must perceive the importance of distinguishing between different sources of information.The consumption patterns are changing turbulent and children today are very clear on their choices regarding food, clothing, cosmetics or accessories. Parents are increasingly permitting their children to take decisions when shopping. It whence becomes veryimportant for children to check exposit (for example, labels) before buying products Children can be taught to shop wisely and a fewer saucer-eyed precautions pass on ensure that theychoose the right product at the right price. It is but natural that parents wish the best for their children, and filter out hard to fulfil their demands.But this is not always a good ideaas it affects two the parents and children i n a negative way in the long run.Consumer education also involves environmental education as it deals with theimportance of conserving (natural resources) and sustaining (recycling and reusing) theenvironment, including the direct health effects of environmental taint and toxic products on consumers.Schools must stop consumer education into school curricula as it is important toimpart the practical skills and critical ability essential to cope with social and economicchanges.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 allthe information that a consumer needs t know or wants to know about a product.DefinitionConsumer awareness is making the consumer aware of His/Her rights.Consumer awareness it a marketing term. It means that consumers note or are aware of products or services, its characteristics and the other marketing Ps (place to buy, price,and promotion).Usual ly commercials and ads increase consumer awareness, as well as word of intercommunicate(a comment from someone you know about a product or service).1 Need we need it so we will not be misled by producers,it explains if what we buy is worth toour money..and not harmful to us and to environment .Many people are sottish of their rights to get protected against the exploitation by somany others. So when there is a forum for such redress of grievances there seems to beno such exploitation by many and becomes a rare one. So in clubhouseto get a clear pictureof the level of exploitation of consumers, the awareness is required.2. Role of producersproper labeling, full information, health warnings, handling information, expiration date,etc. keep to requirements, norms, standards label products according requirements, providing true facts They have to produce and deliver the goods/services of right qualityat right price at right time at right place at right sum of money with right faceIf they are providing a service they should carry it out with due skill and care. They mustalso make sure that any materials they provide as part of this service are fit for the purpose. It is also illegal for a supplier to cut off, or threaten to cut off, supply to areseller (wholesale or retail) because they have been discounting goods or advertisingdiscounts below prices set by the supplier. Some of the uncouth methods of exploitation are1.Under weight and under measurements not metric or weighed correctly2.Substandard Quality defective family appliances and medicines beyond expirydate3.High pricescharging above the retail price4.Duplicate Articlesselling fake items in the name of the original5.Adulteration and impurenessis through to get higher profits6.Lack of safety Devicesabsence of inbuilt safe guards in appliances7.Artificial Scarcityhoarding and black marketing8.False and uncompleted developmentmisleading information on quality, durability,and safety.9.Unsatisfactory af ter sales Servicehigh cost items like electronics and carsrequire constant and constant service.10.Rough behavior and Undue conditionsharassment in getting LPG connection or a telephone connection..Factors causing exploitation of Consumers.1.Limited Informationproviding full and correct information will help in thechoice2.Limited Supplieswhen goods and services are in short supply then price shootsup3.Limited Competition.single producer whitethorn manipulate the market in hurt of price and stocks.4.Low Literacy.illiteracy leads to exploitation.Hence Consumer Awareness isessential bear of consumer AwarenessKautilya was one of the earliest to write in his Arthashastra about the need for Consumer awareness and protection. With the growth of private sector there is a greater need for checker 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 itemssold in the market is essential the se days.Legal measures for consumer safety and consumer awareness must be uniform, andtransparent in terms of prices, quality of goods, and stocks. Consumers must have thetools to combat malpractices and protect their rights.Rights and Duties of ConsumersAs codified under the Indian Laws the Consumers have the following Rights1.Right to Safetyto protect against hazardous goods2.Right to be Informedabout price, quality, purity3.Right to Chooseaccess to a pattern of goods and services at competitive prices.4.Right to be Heardconsumers interest and welfare must be taken care of 5.Right to seek Redressalprotection against unfair trade practicesand settling current grievances.6.Right to Consumer Education.Kowledge about goods and issues related toconsumers.Duties1.Get a bill for all(prenominal) important purchase and also the endorsement card2.Check the ISI mark or Agmark on the goods3.Form consumer awareness groups4.Make a complaint on genuine grievances.5.Consumers must know to exer cise their rights.Consumer protection Measure1. Legislation concerning Consumer Rights.The Consumer Protection Act 1986 provides for consumer disputes redressal at the assignand national level. With the help of this law the agencies can solve grievances in aspeedy, simple and inexpensive manner. A separate discussion section of consumer affairs wasset up at the state and central government. A three horizontal surface system of consumer courts at the National, State and rule levels were set up. These agencies have done good work byhandling lakhs of cases.2. Public Distribution carcass.To protect the poor from price fountain and black marketing the government foodsecurity tothe poor by planning essentials through the ration or equitable price shops.3. Standardisation of Products.These are done to assure the quality of products. The ISI stamp on goods is placed by theBureau of Indian standards. This caters to industrial and consumer goods. These goodscan be trusted to confirm to specific standards. Agmark is meant for Agricultural products.At the world(prenominal) level the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) locatedin Geneva sets common standards. The FAO and WHO provide food standards.4.Legal formalities for filing a complaint.The complaint can be written on plain paper. The supporting documents like the warrantycard must be attached. A lawyer is not required. We can argue our case