question_answer

Explain various ways by which consumers are exploited by the producers or wholesalers.      [AI 2005, Foreign 04]

Or

Describe any six common ways in which consumers are exploited by manufacturers and traders.               [Delhi 2006]

Or

Describe briefly any six forms of consumer exploitation.                                                                     [AI 2005C]

 

Answer:

The main ways of exploitation of consumers are described below:

(i) Adulteration - Adulteration means mixing or substituting undesirable materials in food. This causes heavy loss to the customers; they suffer from monetary loss as well as spoil their health.

(ii) False claim: Sellers make false claim about the durability and quality of their product through advertisements.

(iii) Under measurement: Seller generally give under measured good and charge for the actual quantity.

(iv) Hoarding and Black marketing: Trader generally hold the stock of essential commodities to create artificial scarcity in the market so that they can sell their commodities at higher price.

(v) Substandard goods: Sellers usually sell inferior quality goods in order to make more profits.

(vi) High Price: Sellers who are dealing in necessities generally charge arbitrary prices.

(vii) Duplicate Articles: In the name of genuine parts or goods, duplicate items are sold to the consumers.

(viii) Lack of safety devices: Electronic appliances produced locally lack the required inbuilt safeguards which causes harm to the consumers.