Question

What are the responsibilities of a consumer?

Answer 1

Various efforts have been made by government and non-government organisations to protect the interest of consumer but exploitation of consumer will stop only when consumer himself will come forward to safeguard his own interest. Consumers have to bear some responsibilities which are given below:

1. Consumer must Exercise his Right:

Under Consumer Protection Act the consumer is granted various rights such as right to safety, right to choose, right to be heard etc. but these rights will be useful only when consumer exercises these rights. The consumer must select the product according to his preferences, he must file a complaint if he is not satisfied with the quality of product, he must be aware of his rights and exercise them whenever required.

2. Cautious Consumer:

The consumer should not blindly believe on the words of seller. He must insist on getting full information on the quality, quantity, utility, price etc. of the goods or services.

3. Filing Complaints for the Redressal of Genuine Grievances:

Most of the time consumer ignores the loss he suffers on purchase of defective good or service but this attitude of not filing complaint encourages the corrupt businessmen to supply low standard or defective goods and services.The consumer must file a complaint even for a small loss. This awareness among consumers will make the sellers more conscious to supply quality product. Whenever consumer is filing a complaint it must be genuine. The consumer should not exaggerate the loss or defects of goods.

4. Consumer must be Quality-Conscious:

The problems of supply of substandard goods, adulterated products and duplicate products can be solved only when consumer himself stops compromising the quality of product. While purchasing the goods or services consumer must look for quality marks such as ISI mark, Agmark, ISO, Wool Mark, etc.

5. Do not be carried away by Advertisements:

The advertisements often exaggerate the qualities or features of product or service. The consumer must compare the actual use of product with the use shown in advertisement and whenever there is any discrepancy or difference it must be brought to the notice of sponsor of advertisement and insist to stop showing exaggerated qualities.

6. Insist on Cash Memo:

To file a complaint the consumer needs the evidence of purchase, and cash memo is the evidence or proof that consumer has paid for the goods or service. A seller is bound to give a cash memo even if buyer does not ask for it. To file a complaint and get compensation the consumer must ask for cash memo.

7. Form consumer societies which could play an active part in educating consumers and safeguarding their interest.

8. Respect the environment; avoid waste littering and contribution to pollution.

9. Discourage black marketing, hoarding and choose only legal goods and services.

10. Be aware of variety of goods and services available in market.