Consumer Responsibilities

Question 1

List the responsibilities of a consumer.

5

Answer 1

To be well informed

To be aware of quality and value

To follow instructions

To complain

To avoid waste

Question 2

Describe the consumer’s responsibility to be well informed.

2

Answer 2

Consumers should become educated about their rights and consumer law in order to make wise choices when shopping

They should also shop around and gather as much information as possible about products or services, e.g. from the internet or leaflets, before making a purchase

Question 3

According to the consumer’s responsibility to be well informed, what should a consumer educate themselves in?

Answer 3

Their consumer rights and consumer law

Question 4

Why should a consumer educate themselves on their rights and consumer law?

Answer 4

In order to make wise choices when shopping

Question 5

According to the consumer’s responsibility to be well informed, what should a consumer do before purchasing a product?

Answer 5

They should shop around and gather as much information as possible about the product/service

Question 6

Describe the consumer’s responsibility to be aware of quality and value.
(2)

Answer 6

Consumers should be aware of the balance between price and quality when buying goods and services to ensure they receive value for money

Expensive goods or services are not necessarily better quality

Question 7

According to the consumer’s responsibility to be aware of quality and value, they must be aware of the balance between what?

Answer 7

Price and quality

Question 8

Why should consumer’s be aware of the balance between price and quality when buying goods and services?

Answer 8

To ensure they receive value for money as expensive goods or service are not always the best quality

Question 9

Describe the consumer’s responsibility to follow instructions.
(3)

Answer 9

After purchasing a product, consumers should read and follow any instructions so they use a product correctly and ensure their own safety

If consumers fail to follow instructions, they may not be entitled to compensation if a problem arises

Safety symbols and hazard symbols should be regarded

Question 10

According to the consumer’s responsibility to follow instructions, what should the consumer do after purchasing a product and before its use?
(2)

Answer 10

They should read and follow any instructions

They should regard any safety or hazard symbols

Question 11

Why should a consumer read and follow any instructions which come with a product?
(2)

Answer 11

To ensure they use the product correctly

To ensure their own safety

Question 12

What may happen if consumers fail to follow instructions but then a problem arises within the product?

Answer 12

They may not be entitled to compensation

Question 13

Describe the consumer’s responsibility to complain.

2

Answer 13

Consumers should complain if a product or service fails to meet expectations or is faulty

Complaining will ensure that companies provide a higher-standard product or service in the future

Question 14

Under what conditions should a consumer complain about a product?

Answer 14

If it does not meet expectations or is faulty

Question 15

Why should a consumer complain if a product is faulty or doesn’t meet expectations?

Answer 15

As complaining will ensure that companies provide a higher-standard product or service in the future

Question 16

Describe the consumer’s responsibility to avoid waste.

3

Answer 16

Consumers should take responsibility for preserving the environment by:

Avoiding products with excess packaging
Purchasing energy-saving products, e.g. A-rated appliances
Disposing of products in an environmentally friendly manner, e.g. recycling

Question 17

List three ways consumers should take responsibility for preserving the environment.

Answer 17

Avoiding products with excess packaging

Purchasing energy-saving products

Disposing of products in an environmentally friendly manner