Consumer Responsibilities You Must Be Aware Of

Being a savvy consumer involves more than just making purchases. You need to understand your responsibilities as a buyer as well. These responsibilities include making informed purchasing decisions, being aware of product quality and safety, and understanding the implications of their choices on the environment and society. By recognizing these responsibilities, consumers can contribute to a fairer and more sustainable marketplace while protecting their rights and interests. The article shares some of the most important consumer responsibilities that every consumer in the marketplace must be aware of.

We have rights that protect us from possible abuses or excesses as consumers. John F. Kennedy, president of the United States, first pointed out the importance of these rights in the early 1960s. World Consumer Rights Day was established on March 15, 1983, and in 1985 the United Nations issued a decree to protect consumers, claiming and recognizing their rights at an international level. In India, Consumer Protection Act (CPA) was introduced in 1986 to protect the interests of consumers and make them aware of consumer responsibilities.

As mentioned, consumers also have responsibilities. We must be demanding and inform ourselves about the products we want to acquire. Thus, for example, it is important to ask ourselves about the origin of the products we buy, the materials with which they have been made, under what conditions the people who manufacture them work, and whether they are products that protect the environment.

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Consumer Responsibilities

To help you understand your role as a consumer, we have listed consumer responsibilities that everyone must know.

Be Aware

Consumers must know their rights and responsibilities. They should know the prices and quality of the commodities they want. They must make wise choices and refrain from settling on the quality or standard of a product or service. Consumers must make independent choices and refrain from buying products under the influence of the sellers.

Make Informed Decisions

Consumers should know about the product and make informed decisions before purchasing any product or service. Making informed decisions includes checking the quality, price, and after-sales service of the product or service.

Being A Responsible Buyer And User

Consumers should know how to use the product and do so responsibly and follow the instructions and suggestions mentioned by the manufacturer.

Protect The Environment

Consumers should be aware of any environmental concerns the product they are using might have. They should take steps to reduce waste and conserve resources.

Keep Purchase Proofs

Keep the supporting documents of the purchases and the operations carried out, including advertising, tickets, order forms, delivery notes, deposit receipts, invoices, etc. These documents prove having carried out an act of consumption and of the conditions in which it occurred.

Paying For Goods And Services

Consumers must be responsible for their buying behaviour and pay for the goods and services they receive in a timely manner.

Responsibility To Speak Out 

Consumers should know they can express grievances if they receive faulty products or services. They should know they can file complaints against contaminated or substandard products even if the cost is low. If we do not raise our voices against such misdeeds and file complaints at the right time, it encourages business people to practise unfair trade practices and supply fake or defective goods.

Be An Ethical Consumer 

It is one of the least discussed consumer responsibilities but very important. Consumers must be ethical and fair and refrain from filing false complaints against sellers or manufacturers for personal benefits. They must discourage any illegal trade, hoarding, black marketing, etc.

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Be Quality Conscious 

Consumers must not compromise on product quality. It is the consumer’s responsibility to be aware of the quality standards in their country. For example, AGMARK for agricultural products, ISI mark for electrical products, BIS mark for gold ornaments, and FPO for processed fruit products are the known standards in India.

Request for Products and/or Services that Meet Your Needs

While requesting any product or service, you must ensure it suits your needs. You must disclose all financial obligations to all parties to ensure the decision is based on your ability to meet your additional obligations after contracting for the product or service.

Report Any Unauthorised Transactions to Your Bank

If you discover unauthorised transactions on your account, you must report this to your bank immediately.

Respecting the Rights of Others

Consumers should respect the rights of others, including the rights of other consumers, producers, and sellers.

Read Financial Documents Carefully

Do not sign contracts implying a significant financial outlay without seeking advice and carefully reading its content. If you receive commercial offers at your home by personal visit or telephone, only accept with having duly reflected and studied said offer. Request the information in writing.

Effects of Irresponsible Consumer Behavior

The effects of irresponsible consumer behavior can be wide-ranging and significant for businesses, society, and the environment. Some of the critical aspects of how irresponsible consumer behavior can impact different sectors are as follows:

Effects on Businesses

• Loss of Trust: Irresponsible consumers can harm a business's reputation, causing trust issues and financial losses.
• Increased Costs: Misuse of products increases business operational costs, affecting profitability.
• Market Volatility: Impulsive buying and selling may create volatility in demand and supply.

Product Quality

• Poor Quality: Poor behavior may force businesses to lower the quality of their products.
• Product Abuse: Abuse of products leads to damage and lowers the brand's credibility.
• Increased Returns: Unnecessary returns hamper business profitability and cause confusion in planning.

Environmental Deterioration

• Increased Waste: Irresponsible consumption increases waste, mainly plastic, adversely affecting the environment.
• Resource Depletion: Overconsumption strains natural resources such as water and energy.
• Pollution: Mismanaged waste leads to pollution, especially in cities.

Ethical Business Practices

• Unethical Support: Continued support of unethical businesses supports poor practices such as child labor and exploitation.
• Undermining Fair Trade: Irresponsible consumption harms ethical businesses that focus on sustainability.
• Labor Exploitation: Cheap goods lead to low wages and poor working conditions.

Possible Legal Ramifications

• False Product Claims: These can lead to lawsuits relating to consumer protection laws.
• Terms Violation: Misuse of the products or service is subject to penalties or loss of warranties.
• Group Action Litigation: Mass fraud or misuse might have costly litigation against businesses.

Societal Effects

• Social Inequality: Irresponsible consumption pushes up prices against low-income groups.
• Economic Gaps: Targeting low-cost products would thus increase the financial gap and promote unfair business practices.

Conclusion

Awareness of consumer responsibilities is crucial for fostering a healthy economy and ensuring ethical business practices. By actively engaging in responsible consumption, individuals protect themselves from exploitation and promote accountability among businesses. By fulfilling these consumer responsibilities, you can help create a more transparent and fair marketplace and contribute to society’s well-being.