If we wish to have rights, we will have to take up some responsibilities. So, rather than just fighting about the rights, the consumer must undertake few responsibilities before buying a product and also while using it.
The consumer should undertake following responsibilities:
1. Conscious use of rights: The government has given several rights to the consumer. So, the consumer should be well aware about them and should also possess knowledge about the way to use them.
2. Beware of misleading advertisements:
- In the marketing world, it is quite often that sellers and producers publish or display misleading advertisement for promoting sales. For example, consumption of a specific product will boost energy instantly or will increase the height of person in a short span, etc. Such misleading advertisements are also quite common in children products.
- The consumer should use his wisdom while taking the decision to purchase such products. He should also compare that product with other and verify the claims in order to prevent being getting fooled.
- If the consumer finds that the claims of the product are false or if the product is different as compared to shown in the commercial then he should report about such advertisement.
- Attempt should also be made to stop showing such inappropriate advertisement.
3. Care during purchase:
- The producer or seller should never provide wrong incentive for the sake of selling the product.
- Consumer should not get enchanted by the claims without verifying the details of the product. He should emphasize on getting all the necessary information regarding the product such as name of manufacturing unit and address, quality, quantity, direction for use, expiry date, ingredients, manufacturing date, weight, guarantee or warranty period and other conditions.
4. Solicit for a bill:
- A consumer should always insist on getting the bill for the product he purchases.
- Bill plays the core role during complain redressal. If the purchased product is damaged or of a sub-standard quality or does not fulfill the desired characteristics, and if the consumer wants to complain to the Consumer Protection Forum, it is mandatory to submit the proof of purchase in the form of a bill.
- Apart from this, legally too every seller is bound to provide a bill to the consumer as proof of his purchase.
5. Solicit high quality:
- Today it is quite common to see adulterated, duplicate and sub-standard products in the market.
- Special emphasis should be laid to bring a permanent solutionfor such goods and services.
- The consumer should also confirm if the product has got quality control certificate and standardization mark. For example, one can look for ISI mark, ISO, mark, etc.
6. Registration of genuine complaints:
- If the consumer rights are violated in any form, the consumer should immediately complain to the concerned authority.
- Generally, consumers ignore minor problems or violation of consumer rights and do not bother to complain. This is not a good approach because the producer will keep on producing such products and harm others too.
- At times, consumers misuse their rights and claim much larger compensation for minor damages. This too is inappropriate.
- In short, it is the responsibility of the consumer to register genuine complains only.
7. Spread of consumerism:
- The act of promoting consumer protection at large is known as consumerism.
- Every consumer should take active part to promote consumerism. For this, the consumers should unite and undertake activities for spreading knowledge about consumer protection, the rights and responsibilities.
8. Environmental protection: It is the duty of every consumer to protect the environment. He can even make small efforts in this direction. For example, he should throw the waste in dustbins in order to prevent dirt and pollution.
9. No involvement in unethical activities: When consumer is purchasing something, he should not overlook legal aspects. For example, he should not involve in black-marketing, hoarding of goods or any such kind of unethical practices.
Conclusion: From this discussion it can be concluded that rather than simply claiming consumer rights, the consumer should first fulfill his responsibilities. Such an approach will automatically eliminate the use of many rights.
