Being an effective consumer

Question 1

What is a consumer?

Answer 1

A consumer is a person who buys a product or uses a service in the public or private sector.

An effective consumer knows their rights and responsibilities. They will also know how to seek advice on issues and how to complain effectively.

Consumers may face a number of barriers to accessing goods and services.

Question 2

What barriers affect consumers? Access

Answer 2

Physical barriers - such as mobility issues, sight/hearing problems or learning difficulties - may prevent consumers accessing goods and services.

Question 3

What barriers affect consumers? Age

Answer 3

Younger consumers may be less well informed about their rights and are less likely to take further action if they are unhappy about goods or services.

Question 4

Barriers affecting consumers
Ethnicity

Answer 4

Language barriers and cultural differences may affect a consumer’s ability to know and understand their rights and responsibilities.

Question 5

Barriers affecting consumers
Ethnicity

Answer 5

Language barriers and cultural differences may affect a consumer’s ability to know and understand their rights and responsibilities.

Question 6

Barriers affecting consumers - resources
Resources

Answer 6

Time - people may work long hours, they may have dependents and lack the time to research products and prices
Money - people may have a low income, they may not have access to credit
Location - people may live in rural areas with few shops, they may live in a
food desert
, they may not have transport to get to shops