Being a Good Consumer
Being a Good ConsumerBeing a good consumer is about asking yourself a number of questions, avoiding false economies, avoiding impulse buying, understanding consumer law and knowing how to make a complaint. The video here looks at many of these issues.
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Being a Good Consumer |
How to make a Complaint |
How to make a ComplaintBeing a good consumer means that you will know how to make a complaint the right way.
How to make a complaint:
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Questions a good consumer should ask
Do you need it?
You may not need the product at all, you may have one similar that's in perfectly good working order. Do you really need to replace your TV with the latest model?
Can you afford it?
Will buying this good cause your monthly budget to change? You may be sacrificing money on a luxury that you don't need instead of something essential.
Is it value for money?
If you purchased it now would the price change over time? Does buying a smaller or larger quantity better value?
Have you checked prices elsewhere?
Even if you really need a product, and you can afford it, it's always better to shop around and find a better deal before purchasing.
Get proof of purchase (a reciept) and keep it safe
A receipt is essential if you wish to return a good. Receipts could look as simple as the ones you receive in a shopping market or as formal as one when you buy a car.
You may not need the product at all, you may have one similar that's in perfectly good working order. Do you really need to replace your TV with the latest model?
Can you afford it?
Will buying this good cause your monthly budget to change? You may be sacrificing money on a luxury that you don't need instead of something essential.
Is it value for money?
If you purchased it now would the price change over time? Does buying a smaller or larger quantity better value?
Have you checked prices elsewhere?
Even if you really need a product, and you can afford it, it's always better to shop around and find a better deal before purchasing.
Get proof of purchase (a reciept) and keep it safe
A receipt is essential if you wish to return a good. Receipts could look as simple as the ones you receive in a shopping market or as formal as one when you buy a car.
Buying Local, Brands and Symbols
Buying Local
A good consumer knows that when buying a product, always look for goods that originate from your country. Buying goods such as Irish beef is much better for the economy and the environment because it cuts down on shipping costs.
Brands
A good consumer knows that buying a 'branded' product doesn't always make it better although it usually is more expensive. A good consumer should always buy a product that is of good quality and does what it was designed to do e.g. A glue stick can stick things together.
Symbols
A good consumer always looks for symbols which indicate the good is 'homegrown' or of good quality. If a good has advertised something with a symbol, this must be true e.g. A jumper that says '100% Cotton' must be made from only cotton and no other fabric.
A good consumer knows that when buying a product, always look for goods that originate from your country. Buying goods such as Irish beef is much better for the economy and the environment because it cuts down on shipping costs.
Brands
A good consumer knows that buying a 'branded' product doesn't always make it better although it usually is more expensive. A good consumer should always buy a product that is of good quality and does what it was designed to do e.g. A glue stick can stick things together.
Symbols
A good consumer always looks for symbols which indicate the good is 'homegrown' or of good quality. If a good has advertised something with a symbol, this must be true e.g. A jumper that says '100% Cotton' must be made from only cotton and no other fabric.
Questions
A wise consumer is someone who....
(a) Impulse buys
(b) has a plan before Shopping
(c) Doesnt Check prices in different shops
Which one of these is not a question a good consumer asks themselves?
(a) Is it a popular brand
(b) do you need it
(c) Is it value for money
A consumer is someone who....
(a) Buys goods
(b) Sells goods
(c) Makes goods
A trader is someone who...
(a) Makes goods
(b) Sells goods
(c) Buys goods
A good consumer checks....after buying goods
(a) Their wallet
(b) Their shopping bags
(c) Their reciept
A brand name is...
(a) a picture of a product
(b) The unique name of a product
(c) The ingredients of a product
All food products must be labelled, but which of these does not have to appear on the label
(a) Best before date
(b) Name of the company
(c) Ingredients
A wise consumer buys bad quality goods. True/False
A wise consumer always checks the reciept. True/False
A wise consumer doesnt check prices in different shops before purchasing. True/False
Online Consumer Quiz
Click HERE to take the online Consumer Quiz
(Use the settings on the top right of the quiz page to keep testing yourself)
(Use the settings on the top right of the quiz page to keep testing yourself)