Wiser Buyer

Question 1

What does this label mean:
Heart w/ lines inside
Where would you find it?

Answer 1

The kitemark.
BSI assures product is safe + reliable.
IT equipment, gas hob, car windscreens.

Question 2

What does this label mean:
CE
Where would you find it?

Answer 2

CE mark
Meet European safety environmental standards.
Allows manufacturers to sell product in Europe
Toys, telephones, light bulbs.

Question 3

What does this label mean:
X
Where would you find it?

Answer 3

Harmful/Irritant
Skin/breathing problems if inhaled or swallowed
Bleach, cleaning products, dishwasher powder

Question 4

What does this label mean:
Skull + crossbones
Where would you find it?

Answer 4

Toxic
Dangerous if inhaled/swallowed/touched. Serious harm/death
Bleach, weedkiller, paint stripper

Question 5

What does this label mean:
Fire
Where would you find it?

Answer 5

Highly flammable
Easily catch fire if near heat, flames or sparks.
Fireworks, aerosol, nail polish remover

Question 6

What does this label mean:
BEAB approved
Where would you find it?

Answer 6

Electrical safety mark. Tested against EU safety standards

Toaster, microwave, DVD player.

Question 7

What does this label mean:
Fairtrade symbol
Where would you find it?

Answer 7

Fair price to producer, safe working conditions, environmentally friendly
Bananas, chocolate + coffee

Question 8

What does this label mean:
Soil Association Organic Standard
Where would you find it?

Answer 8

Meet soil association standards. Promote biodiversity, recycling and waste reduction. No pesticides/artificial fertilisers.
Organic beef, honey or cider

Question 9

What does this label mean:
Arrows in a circle
Where would you find it?

Answer 9

Material used for packaging can be recycled

Boxes, bottles and food packaging

Question 10

What do energy labels mean and where would you find them?

Answer 10

Show how energy efficient they are.

White goods - washing machine, fridge, dishwasher.

Question 11

Pros and cons of magazines for information

Answer 11

\+ Inexpensive
\+ Specialist = reliable
\+ Kept + used later
- Specialist = expensive subscription
- Funded by advertising
- Purpose = entertainment

Question 12

Pros and cons of newspapers for information

Answer 12

\+ Broadsheet = expert (finance)
\+ Tabloid = Easy to read 
\+ Inexpensive and available
- May be biased or sensationalist
- General information
- May not be quality information

Question 13

Pros and cons of experts for information

Answer 13

\+ Specialist information
\+ Accurate, easy to understand
\+ Can demonstrate product
- Information can be complicated
- Can be hard to access
- Information can be inaccurate

Question 14

Pros and cons of consumer programmes for information

Answer 14

\+ Entertaining format
\+ Well researched + factual
\+ Experts present specialist information
- Information can be more general
- Must plan to view certain programmes
- Info may be presented too quickly for use

Question 15

Pros and cons of friends + family for information

Answer 15

\+ Relaxed and informal
\+ Specific information
\+ Experience can be valuable
- Can be biased
- Unqualified knowledge
- Info may be inaccurate

Question 16

Pros and cons of the internet for information

Answer 16

\+ Extensive range of information
\+ In comfort of own home
\+ Quick to compare from range of shops
- Can be slow + time consuming
- IT skills are needed
- Can be unreliable

Question 17

What does Advice NI do?

Answer 17

Training and support for organisations that offer consumer advice.
Training for National Vocational Qualifications
Social security, housing, consumer matters + debt problems
Advice through website.

Question 18

What does Citizens Advice do?

Answer 18

Helps people resolve debt, benefits, discrimination etc
Free, confidential and impartial
Helps neogotiate with companies. Represents people
Educate people: Rights + Responsibilities, Services.
Social security benefits, money, health, housing rights + legal matters.

Question 19

What does the Consumer Advice Centre do?

Answer 19

Must work/live in Belfast. Free advice on consumer issues. Neogotiate with companies. Refers to other organisations. Supports small claims. Teaches.

Question 20

What does the Consumer Focus for NI do?

Answer 20

Provides info + gives voice to consumers.
Handles complaints.
Fair deal for consumers
Consumer Advocacy, not advice agency

Question 21

What does the Trading Standards Service do?

Answer 21

Investigates complaints + gathers evidence.
Promote + maintain fair trading, protect consumers.
Advice + guidance to consumers + traders
Empower consumers, businesses comply with legislation, maintain good practice.

Question 22

What does Which? do?

Answer 22

Independant. Information on rights and best products. Monthly magazine, tests products. Makes super complaints.

Question 23

What does Consumer Council do?

Answer 23

Set up in 1985, funded by DETI, beat standards of service + protection for NI consumers.
Campaigns, research, lobbies government, investigate consumer complaints,.
Product testing, mystery shopping, best buy info.

Question 24

What does Consumerline do?

Answer 24

Website + telephone helpline. Free, impartial advice. Aware of consumer rights, avoid scams + dodgy deals.
Joint enterprise with Consumer Council + Trading Standards Service.