consumer studies

Question 1

sale of goods and supply of services act 1980

Answer 1

goods/services should be:

• of merchantable quality
• be fit for purpose
• correspond to a sample on display
• as described by sales person/labels
• supplied by qualified/skilled person
• provided with due care, following safety procedures
• materials used must be of merchantable quality

Question 2

redress for consumers under SGSS Act

Answer 2

refund
repair
replacement

partial refund
repeat of a service

Question 3

guarantee

Answer 3

covered by SGSS Act
contract between consumer and manufacturer
has a time limit
does not affect consumer rights

Question 4

illegal signs

Answer 4

‘no cash refunds’
‘credits notes only given’
‘no exchange of goods’

Question 5

consumer protection act 2007

Answer 5

protects consumers from misleading or false claims about goods, services and prices
prohibits misleading claims made:
-verbally
-about a service
-about the price, previous price
-about extra costs

Question 6

competition and consumer protection commission

Answer 6

independent statutory body that:

• enforces consumer protection law/legislation
• informs consumers about their rights
• enforces product safety regulations

Question 7

office of the ombudsman

Answer 7

appointed by the gov

• investigates unresolved complaints against public bodies, gov. departments, HSE, An Post
• valid complaints are reported to the department in question and recommendations are made to resolve it

Question 8

national standards authority of Ireland

Answer 8

• sets, monitors and develops standards of safety and quality in Ireland
• ensures that products meet EU and international safety/quality standards
• provides accredited certification eg food hygiene and safety

Question 9

citizens information board

Answer 9

statutory body that provides a range of advice on:

• consumer rights
• social welfare
• family law

Question 10

consumer association of Ireland

Answer 10

publishes consumer choice magazine
aims to improve consumer legislation
advices the gov. on consumer issues

Question 11

advertising standards authority of Ireland

Answer 11

ensures advertisements are legal, decent, honest, truthful
investigates consumer complaints
independent, voluntary body

Question 12

small claims court

Answer 12

system within the district court
cheap, fast, easy
used by consumers and businesses
no solicitor required
claims up to €2000

Question 13

rights of the consumer

Answer 13

right to choice
right to honest and truthful information
right to safety
right to redress

Question 14

procedures to be followed when making a complaint

Answer 14

1. stop using the product when fault is identified
2. return to shop with receipt/guarantee
3. explain what you expect to happen
4. if not satisfied, put the complaint in writing
5. if no resolution, small claims court

Question 15

purpose of consumer research

Answer 15

to identify consumer needs, wants, likes, dislikes and expectations

Question 16

four merchandising techniques used to maximise consumer spending

Answer 16

1. product placement (where in the shop)
2. in store stimuli
3. shelf position
4. blocking techniques (displays placed at entrance/aisles to ensure consumers see them)

Question 17

Factors affecting management

Answer 17

Employment patterns
Socio economic status
Values and standards
Gender roles

Question 18

Role of household as a financial unit within the economy

Answer 18

Paying statutory taxes
Spending wages on goods/services
Mortgages/loans contribute to profits of financial institutions
Money management skills prevent children falling into debt/social welfare

Question 19

Social factors affecting household income

Answer 19

Age
Gender
Socio economic status
Culture (some jobs paid higher in other countries)

Question 20

Supplementary welfare allowance

Answer 20

Weekly payment to individuals whose means don’t meet their needs
To qualify:
-satisfy a means test
-waiting on social welfare payments to be processed
-have registered to work with their local intreo office

Question 21

Social insurance Payments

Answer 21

Paid to individuals who have paid the minimum 39 weeks of PRSI contributions
Not means tested

Question 22

Social assistance payments

Answer 22

Paid to individuals who have insufficient PRSI contributions
Means tested

Question 23

Factors that contribute to varying patterns of household expenditure

Answer 23

Socio economic status
Family size/stage
Location
Beliefs/values

Question 24

Strategies to follow when preparing a budget

Answer 24

Estimate total income 
List all expenditure 
Allocate a % of income 
Allocate savings 
Review and evaluate

Question 25

money advice and budgeting service

Answer 25

Funded by dept of social protection
Free and confidential service
-advice on money and budgeting for those in debt or at risk of debt
-facilitate knowledge and skills to avoid debt
-facilitate access to credit to pay debts

Question 26

Consumer credit act 1995

Answer 26

Regulates aspects of credit eg hire purchase, mortgages, credit cards
Monitors credit advertising
Imposes credit agreements
Stipulates that lenders cannot visit borrowers in their place of work looking for payment