1 Marks Question
Answer: The reasons fro buying electrical items from a reputed shop are:
(i) We will get a guarantee for the product
(ii) The shopkeeper will give a bill for the purchase.
Answer: We should not buy electrical items from roadside vendors because:
(i) We will not get a guarantee for the product
(ii) We will not get a bill or proof of purchase.
Answer:The standard mark which indicates that the product is environment friendly is given below
Answer: The standard mark which indicates that the wool is pure is give below:
Answer: The standard mark which indicates that the gold is pure is given below
2 Marks Questions
Answer: Four reasons why I do not want to buy a a washing machine through internet are:
(i) The product cannot be examined personally.
(ii) Sometimes picture or product shown on the internet may vary from the product actually delivered.
(iii) Unscrupulous hackers can access sensitive information regarding my debit card, while a washing machine is bought through internet.
(iv) If the washing machine does not work , a long process of contacting ,replacing the product may take place which can be very time consuming.
Answer: My two responsibilities in this context are:
(i) As the shopkeeper to replace an empty box on the side of the balance on which the weights are placed and then weigh the sweets.
(ii) If the shopkeeper does not follow my directions , I will refuse to buy from him and report this to the Weights and Measures department.
Answer: Two malpractices a shopkeeper can adopt to deceive his customers are:
(i) Selling goods at above the Maximum Retail Price(MRP)
(ii) Not issuing bills or cash memos for items purchased.
My two responsibilities in this context are:
(i) Buying goods only at or less than the Maximum Retail Price(MRP)
(ii) Ensuring ti take bill/cash memos for items purchased.
Answer: Other malpractices a vendor can adopt to deceive his customers are:
(i) Using stones instead of proper weights.
(ii) Using non standard weights with hollow bottoms
My two responsibilities in this context are:
(i) Inform the Weights and Measures department about these malpractices by the vendor.
(ii) Not buy vegetables from him.
Answer: Malpractices which a a milkman can adopt to deceive his customers are:
(i) Using a measure which is either dented or false bottom so that it contains less milk than that is marked on it.
(ii) Not using a standard measure with stamp
In this context,my responsibilities are:
(i) Ensuring that the milkman’s measure does not have either a false bottom or is dented.
(ii) Ensuring that he uses a standard measure with stamp.
Answer: Ways in which a cloth merchant can cheat his customers are:
(i) He does not use a standard measure for measuring the length of cloth purchased by the customer.
(ii) He sells poor quality cloths without the standard quality marks(e.g. Silk Mark and wool mark) at higher price of the standard quality cloth.
(iii) He sells goods at above the Maximum Retail Price(MRP).
(iv) He does not issue bills or cash memos for the items purchased.
Answer: I will check the following to ensure accuracy in length while purchasing fabric from a shopkeeper:
(i) He uses a standard measure for measuring the length of cloth.
(ii) He does not use a dented or curved rod or marks on a table for measuring the length of cloth purchased,
(iii) He does not stretch the fabric while measuring ,as on stretching one meter of fabric measures about 5cm more.
(iv) He does not measure by markings on the fabric,as these markings are not accurate.
Answer: We will check the following points to ensure accuracy of quantity:
(i) The milkman’s measures does not have either a false bottom or is dented.
(ii) He fills the measure to the brim.
(iii) He empties the contents of the measure completely into customer’s container.
(iv) He lets the foam settle before pouting milk into the customer’s container.
Answer: Major problems faced by consumers and their solutions are:
Adulteration of goods The solution is to buy packed items with standardisation marks
Variation in prices The solution is to buy from cooperative stores,super bazaars,etc.
3 Marks Questions
Answer: Sushmita will not be able to complain against the medicine shop because she did not fulfill her responsibility due to the following reasons:
(i) She did not red the label of the packet of medicine to check that it had not expired. A consumer should always check information about prices,net weight,manufacturing and expiry dates.
(ii) She did not take cash memo from the seller. Cash memo is proof of purchase and it is required for filling a complaint in the appropriate consumer court.
Answer: Sunil a responsible consumer because he took the cash memo for the coaching manual he purchased. The cash memo is his proof of purchase.In case the bookshop does not return the extra money paid by Sunil , he can file a complaint in a consumer court.So, Sunil can recover the extra money paid from the bookshop. If the consumer court is satisfied about the genuineness of the complaint , it can issue the following directions to the bookseller:
(i) To refund the price paid for the books(₹370).
(ii) To pay adequate costs to Sunil , which he incurred for filling the complaint.
(iii) To discontinue the unscrupulous exploitative and unfair trade practices and not to repeat them in future.
Answer: Reasons for which we all need to be aware consumers are:
(i) Artificial shortages are created through hoarding which result in black marketing.
(ii) Goods are adulterated.
(iii) Imitation packing and misleading packing is used or products.
(iv) Defective weights and measures are used for selling goods.
(v) Poor quality products are sold.
(vi) There is poor consumer guidance and lack of information about products.
Answer: Four problems faced by consumers regarding prices of products are:
(i) Shopkeepers charge higher than Maximum Retail Prices(MRP).
(ii) They sell loose items without labels or packages and charge arbitrary prices for loose items.
(iii) Poor quality goods are sold at the price of good quality popular brands.
(iv) Prices are not fixed and prices between two shops also vary.
Two rights in this context are:
(i) Right to information.
(ii) Right to choose.
Answer: Consumers face the problem of lack of information due to the following reasons:
(i) Labels may not give complete information on all aspects of the product.
(ii) Leaflets are not always available at shop. If available, they are not written in local language or have information crammed on them which make sit impossible to read the information.
(iii) The print on the package may be blurred,very small or overlapping.
(iv) Advertisements about the products are misleading.
Two rights in this context are:
(i) Right to information
(ii) Right to consumer education.
4 Marks Questions
Answer: A consumer needs to be alert while purchasing items .Some possible mistakes a consumer can make which may prevent him from filling a complaint can be:
(i)Buying a product from a roadside vendor.
(ii) Buying a product without procuring a bill of that transaction.
(iii) Without checking the weight and measure before making purchases.
(iv) Buying a product without seeing the standard mark
(v) Does not get guarantee/warrantee cards stamped and signed by the seller.
(vi) Buying a product without reading its label or expiry date
(vii) Buying product from the internet as quality of the product may differ.
(viii) Paying more than the MRP printed on the label or lured by advertisement , not reading about quality of the product.
A consumer can be at a loss or will be unable to file a case in the consume court if he makes the above mentioned mistakes.
Answer: The given below examples justify the fact that two major problems faced by consumers are regarding quality and prices of the products:
(i) We all witness variation of prices of the same products at big shops/mall or at small shops.
(ii) Some shopkeepers want o earn maximum profit and they put up their own price tags ,where original labels are removed. Consumers can file a complaint against this practice.
(iii) Adulteration of food products often affects the quality of the product. For example, if spices like coriander or turmeric or pulses like chana dal are adulterated , they not only affect the quality of the food product but they also become health hazards.
(iv) Use of defective weights and measures also leas to consumer paying more for less quantity. This practice is also very unethical .For example, weighing of sweets along with box packing result in less quantity of sweets.
Answer: For the symbol of purity of wool refer to Q.No 4.
In case the symbol is fake,Radhika should take the following course of action:
(i) Approach the shopkeeper to complain for it.
(ii) Is she does not get an appropriate response from the shopkeeper ,she should approach the District Consumer Forum and file a complaint along with all relevant documents.
(iii) She should enclose an affidavit stating that the complaint is true.
(iv) She should enclose the original bill and Registered AD of the complaint.
(v) She should give her own address and that of the opposite party.
(vi) She should state her demand of compensation.
Other steps she should adopt to prevent such incidents future are:
(i) Buy from a reputed shop
(ii) Buy from a reputed brand
(iii) Do a market survey before buying
(iv) Always take a bill/cash memo for her purchases.
Answer: The symbol of purity of a silk sari is given below:
It is either sewn on the sari or is fused into it or is in the form of a hang tag with the sari.
In case the symbol is fake ,Radhika should take the following course of action:
(i) Approach the shopkeeper to complain for it.
(ii) If she does not get appropriate response from the shopkeeper ,she should approach the District Consumer Forum and file a complaint along with all relevant documents.
(iii) She should enclose a n affidavit stating that the complaint is true.
(iv) She should enclose the original bill and the Registered AD of the complaint.
(v) She should give her own address and that of the opposite party
(vi) She should state her demand of compensation.
Other steps she should adopt to prevent such incidents in future are:
(i) Buy from a reputed shop.
(ii) Buy from a reputed brand.
(iii) Do a market survey before buying.
(iv) Always take a bill/cash memo for her purchases.
Answer: The following rules and procedures should be followed for filling a complaint in a consumer forum against a shopkeeper or a company:
(i) The complaint should be filled within two years of purchase.
(ii) The complaint should have the following information:
(a) Name and description, address of compliant.
(b) name and description.address of the opposition party/company.
(c) Fact s relating to the complaint-when,where it rose.
(iii) Attach all the relevant bills,copy of registered AD sent to opposite party conveying the complaint.
(iv) Mention the relief sought by the complainant.
(v) Attach an affidavit stating the contents to be true and submit it in the appropriate forum with the required fees.
The time period specified for the case to be settles is 90 days.
Answer: The ways by which the vendor could have cheated her are:
(i) The vendor’s measure may have either had a false bottom or was dented.
(ii) The vendor did not fill the measure to the brim.
(iii) The vendor did not empty the entire contents of the measure into the container carried by my sister.
(iv) The vendor did not let the foam settle before pouring milk in to my sister’s container.
Tips which will safeguard my sister from such frauds in future are:
(i) She should check that the vendor’s measure does not have either a false bottom or is dented.
(ii) She should check that the vendors fills his measure to the brim.
(iii) She should check that the vendor empties the contents of the measure completely into her container.
(iv) She should check that the vendor lets the foam settle before poring milk into her container.
Answer: Benefit to consumers/salient features of the Consumer Protection Act are:
(i) It gives the consumer Right to Safety of goods purchased.
(ii) It gives consumers the Right to Choose a product of good quality.
(iii) It provides consumers the Right to Seek Redressal if cheated by a seller of a product or by a servicing agent.
(iv) It gives the consumers the Right to be Informed regarding a product or service being purchased.
(v)It gives the consumers the Right to be Heard and be assured that their interest will receive due attention at appropriate forums.
(vi) It gives the consumers the Right to Consumer Education i.e. to acquire knowledge and abilities necessary for making wise choices while purchasing goods or services.
(vii) It gives the consumers the Right to Basic Needs,i.e. goods and services guaranteeing dignified living.
(vii) It gives the consumers the Right to a Healthy Environment that will enhance the quality of life.
Answer: The Right o Information means that a consumer has the right to demand information regarding a product such as its quality,purity,ingredients,price,etc.The government has taken the step of ensuring that all packaged goods have the above information on their labels.
The Right to Safety means that a consumer can demand safe goods and be protected from harmful goods like adulterated foodstuffs or defective electronic appliances. the government has taken the step of ensuring that the manufacturers obtain mandatory safety standardisation marks like Woolmark,Silk Mark,Hall Mark,Ecomark,ISI,FPO,AGMARK,etc.
Answer: For right to Information Act,Q.No. 24.
The Right to Basic Needs means that a consumer has a right to be provided basic goods and services to lead a dignified life. The government has taken steps like providing subsidised healthcare facilities,safe drinking water,low cost housing,public toilets and subsidised rations at subsidised rates to various categories of consumers.
5 Marks Questions
Answer: The ways in which consumers are cheated at the hand of shopkeepers/malpractices by shopkeepers are:
(i) Charging more than The Maximum Retail Price(MRP) or altering the MRP with their own stickers.
(ii)Refusing to show pamphlet regarding the product.
(iii) Selling substandard brands.
(iv) Selling adulterated or loose items(when prohibited)
(v) Trying to promote sales of items which are expired.
The ways in which consumers are cheated at the hand of manufacturers/malpractices by manufactures are:
(i) Packaged foods are less in quantity than printed on the label.
(ii) They produce inferior quality products than specified or produce adulterated products.
(iii) The goods have inadequate labeling and conceal facts.
(iv) The make products under unhygienic conditions.
(v) They use fake standardisation marks.
Answer: Common problems faced by consumers are:
(i) Hoarding/black marketing of products.
(ii) Being made to pay more than the Maximum retail Price(MRP) of products.
(iii) The seller refusing to show a pamphlet regarding the product being sold.
(iv) The seller trying to sell substandard brands.
(v) The seller selling adulterated loose items.
(vi) Use of imitation labels on products.
(vii) Not giving complete information on label or concealing facts.
(viii) Too many brands to choose from,causing confusion
(ix) Traders do not give bill or cash memo.
(x) Traders sell expired products.
Answer: Advantages of label on products are:
(i) The ingredients of the product are mentioned which alert the consumer for any ingredients he may be allergic to.
(ii) Standardisation marks on the label indicate the quality/safety of the product.
(iii) The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) ,expiry date and manufacturer’s name is mentioned ,so they can be contacted if required.
Drawbacks of labels are:
(i) They may be blurred or in too small a print to be easily readable.
(ii) Complete information is not given on them.
For advantages and drawbacks of the internet refer to Q.No. 33.
Answer: Advantages of advertisements are:
(i) Consumer gets information of new products available in the market.
(ii) Consumer comes to know how to use the product.
(iii) Consumer comes to know the special features of the product.
Drawbacks of advertisements are:
(i) They may be exaggerated or misleading.
(ii) Complete information is not given in them.
For advantages and drawbacks of the internet refer to Q.No. 33.
Answer: Advantages of leaflet are:
(i) They provide technical and commercial information about the product/service to the consumer.
(ii) They provide provide usage details and precautions to be observed for use by the consumer.
(iii) They provide information about special features,installation,maintenance,etc about the product.
Drawbacks of leaflets are:
(i) Information given is incomplete or the print is too small to read.
(ii) an illiterate person cannot read them.
Advantages of the internet are:
(i) Consumer can use it at any time.
(ii) A wide variety of products are advertised.
(iii) It is easily accessible conveniently and quickly from home.
Drawbacks of the internet are:
(i) Frauds may allow revealing personal information of credit card,address,etc. and also dupe the consumer.
(ii) The consumer cannot touch or fell the product or examine it at close quarters.