Wiser Buyer Flashcards
Magazine positives
Relatively inexpensive
Info can be kept and used at a later date
Some specialist magazines offer reliable, independent advice
Magazine negatives
Many published to entertain and can be difficult to obtain factual info
Some specialist magazines involve expensive subscriptions, inaccessible to some consumers
Many funded by advertising revenue, difficult to determine independence of info
Consumer programme positives
Presented in entertaining format
Experts often used to present specialist info
Info is well researched and factual
Consumer programme negatives
Have to plan to view them
General rather than specific info
Info can be presented too quickly to be useful
Newspaper positives
Inexpensive and readily available
Broadsheet journalists are often experts in their field eg finance
Tabloids can be presented in an easy to understand format, in use friendly language
Newspaper negatives
General rather than specific info
Potential for info to be biased or sensationalist
Difficult to determine quality of info or qualifications/expertise of journalist
Friends and family positives
Relaxed and informal
Can ask qs for specific info
Another person’s experience can be valuable
Friends and family negatives
Unqualified knowledge
Biased or inaccurate info
Experts positives
Trained staff can give specialist info
Can also demonstrate a product/service
Can explain technical info accurately, in a way consumers understand
Experts negatives
Info can be technical and complicated
Staff can be hard to access eg in busy shops
Sales staff may not be specially trained, inaccurate info
Internet positives
Extensive range of info
Info can be accessed in comfort of own home
Quick way to compare products/services from range of shops
Internet negatives
Can be slow and time consuming
Difficult to judge which websites offer reliable info
IT skills needed to make full use of it
The Kitemark
The British Standards Institute (BSI) Kitemark…
- assures consumers that a product is safe and reliable
- conforms to relevant safety standards
- independently tested by BSI
- BSI has given permission to manufacturer to use mark
Where would you find the Kitemark?
IT equipment Gas hob Car windscreen Tumble dryer Electric oven Electric blender/carving knife
The CE Mark
- product meets European safety/environmental standards
- allows manufacturers to sell products within Europe
Where would you find the CE mark?
Toys
Telephones
Light bulbs
Computers
Harmful or irritant
- may be harmful if inhaled or swallowed
- impact on health could include skin/breathing problems
Where would you find the harmful/irritant symbol?
Bleach
Dishwasher powder
Cleaning products
Toxic
- product contains ingredients which would be extremely dangerous if inhaled, swallowed or in contact with skin
- if misused, could cause serious harm or death
Where would you find the toxic symbol?
Bleach
Paint stripper
Weed killer
Highly flammable
The product or its fumes will catch fire easily if it’s near heat, flames or sparks
Where would you find the highly flammable symbol?
Fireworks
Nail polish remover
Aerosol cleaning products
The British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) trademark
- electrical safety mark
- has been independently tested and evaluated against European and international safety standards
Where would you find the BEAB trademark?
Toaster
Microwave
DVD player
The Fairtrade mark
- a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries
- fair prices paid to producers
- community investment
- safe and healthy working conditions
- environmental protection
Where would you find the Fairtrade mark?
Bananas Coffee Cotton Chocolate Tea bags Flowers
The Soil Association symbol
- sets standards for organic production and processing
- promotes biodiversity, recycling and waste reduction
- in the case of food products, they have been grown without use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers
Where would you find the Soil Association symbol?
Fresh, organic veg eg tomatoes
The Recycling symbol
Material used for packaging can be recycled
Where would you find the Recycling symbol?
Plastic bottles Tin cans Cereal boxes Milk cartons Glass bottles
Energy labels
- shoes how energy efficient white goods such as washing machines are
- A = most efficient
G = least efficient
Where would you find energy labels?
Washing machines
Fridges
Ovens
Tumble dryers
What is the purpose of safety and environmental labels?
These labels will help the consumers to make informed choices when they are buying the item.
What are the key consumer organisations?
Citizens Advice Bureau Independent Advice Centres Belfast Consumer Advice Centre Consumer Focus - formerly National Consumer Council The Consumer Council Trading Standards Service Consumerline Which?
Consumer organisations info
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