Consumerism
Consumerism
Consumerism
Consumer
Consumerism is the theory that a country that consumes goods and services
in large quantities will be better off economically.
Sometimes, consumerism is referred to as a policy that promotes greed.
History
The consumer society emerged in the late seventeenth century and intensified
throughout the eighteenth century. The change was attributed to a growing
middle-class that embraced new ideas about luxury consumption and the
growing importance of fashion as a motivator for purchasing rather than
necessity.
1) A consumer must be aware of his/her rights and should protect his /her
rights.
5) business houses must adopt a code of conduct for regulating the activities.
In this age of capitalism and globalization, the main objective of each producer
is to maximize his profit. In each and every possible way the producer are
trying to increase the sale of their products. Therefore, in fulfillment of their
aim they forget the interests of consumer s and start exploiting them.
Thus in order to save them from being cheated, it is necessary for a consumer
to be aware. In this way, consumer awareness means creating awareness of
a consumer towards their rights and duties.
EXPLOITATION OF CONSUMERS
1. High Prices :
Traders can charge a price higher than the price prevailing in the market
because of the ignorance and urgency of the customer.
By their cleverness, some traders scoop so low that they cheat the consumer
by resorting to under weight and under measurement tactics.
Some traders sell substandard quality products to the consumer. Now a days
markets are full of duplicate products.
In edible items such as oil, ghee and spices adulterated is made in order to
earn higher profits.
5. Improper information :
Companies spend a considerable amount on advertisement alone to attract
consumers and feed information that they want the consumers to know but not
the information the consumers should know about the products.
Some producers try to produce things of poor quality without caring for the
standard safeguard norms.
Many things need adequate after sale service. But most of the sellers do not
provide it.
8. False Claims :
Sellers make false claim about the durability & quality of their products mainly
through advertisements.
Consumers are often harassed and undue conditions are put before them to
get their requirement fulfilled.
CONSUMER'S RIGHTS
1. Right to Safety: This is the first and the most important of the Consumer
Rights. They should be protected against the product that hampers their
safety. The protection must be against any product which could be
hazardous to their health – Mental, Physical or many of the other
factors.
2. Right to Information: They should be informed about the product. The
product packaging should list the details which should be informed to
the consumer and they should not hide the same or provide false
information.
6. Right to Consumer Education: Consumer has the right to know all the
information and should be made well aware of the rights and
responsibilities of the government. Lack of Consumer awareness is the
most important problem our government must solve.
CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. They should be aware of their rights under the Consumer Protection Act
and should practice the same in case of need.
2. They should be well aware of the product they are buying. Should act
as a cautious consumer while purchasing the product
3. If in case a product is found of anything false or not satisfactory a
complaint should be filed.
4. The consumer should ask for a Cash Memo while making a purchase
5. A customer should check for the standard marks that have been
introduced for the authenticity of the quality of the product like ISI or
Hallmark etc.
According to the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 A consumer is one that buys
good for consumption and not for the resale or commercial purpose. The
consumer also hires service for consideration.
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, was enacted to provide a simpler and
quicker redressal to consumer grievances. The Act seeks to promote and
protect the interest of consumers against deficiencies and defects in goods or
services. It also seeks to secure the rights of a consumer against unfair trade
practices, which may be practiced by manufacturers and traders.
1. The right to be protected from all kind of hazardous goods and services
2. The right to be fully informed about the performance and quality of all
goods and services
The Act applies to all goods and services unless specifically exempted by the
Union Government and covers all sectors, whether private, public, or
cooperative.
This Act has provided a machinery whereby consumers can file their
complaints. These complaints will then be heard by consumer forums with
special powers so that action can be taken against erring suppliers and
possible compensation is awarded to the consumer for the hardships he/she
has undergone.
The consumer, under this law, is not required to deposit huge court fees,
which earlier used to deter consumers from approaching the courts. The rigors
of court procedures have been replaced with simple procedures as compared
to the normal courts, which helps in quicker redressal of grievances. The
provisions of the Act are compensatory in nature.
REDRESSAL AGENCIES
1. District Forum : These fora are set by the district of the state
concerned in each district wherein it consists of President and two
members of which one should be a woman and is appointed by the
State Government. In this, the complaining party should not make a
complaint more than 20 Lacs and once the complaint is filed the goods
are sent for testing and if they found defective the accused party should
compensate and if the party is dissatisfied can make an appeal with
state commission within 30 days.
CASE STUDY
1. Right to be informed
2. Right to information
There is another right claimed by Indian government on paper, this right must
ideally make sure that all consumable products have been labeled in a
standard manner containing the cost, quantity, the ingredients and instructions
given to use the product safely.
The right to information gives the power to the consumers to have an easy
access to information which is necessary for the consumer.