Question

16.Explain the following problems faced by the consumers : (i) Sale of spurious products (ii) Hoarding and black marketing​

Answer 1

ANSWER :

A consumer is considered as a king in a free marke economy. However, due to the growing market competition and to increase the sale, market share and profitability of their business, the seller or service providers may be engaged in some unfair, unscrupulous and exploitative trade practices. Because of such trade practices, the consumers have to face problems. There are many problems which are often faced by the consumers in their day-to-day life. The two of those problems are : (i) Sale of spurious products and (ii) Hoarding and black marketing.

➻ These two problems faced by the consumers are explained below :

• (i) Sale of spurious products : A major problem faced by consumers is sale of spurious products. Sale of spurious products means selling of a product that has no value or use instead of the real product. This problem is often found in case of medical or health care products. A consumer might be exposed to risks, suffer from bad health and might be cheated because of the practice of sale of spurious products by sellers.

• (ii) Hoarding and black marketing : Another problem often faced by consumers is hoarding and black marketing. Hoarding means when any essential commodity is not made available in the open market and stocks are intentionally held back by dealers. Again, the practice of selling hoarded goods, secretly at a higher price is known as black marketing. The purpose of hoarding is to create an artificial scarcity, to push up the prices. However, when there is short supply of any product, the practice of black marketing is adapted.

MORE INFORMATION :

• ⇢ • Adulteration of products, false and misleading advertisement, use of false weight and measure, tie-in-sale, offerinv gift having mo additional value are some other problems faced by the consumers.

• ⇢ • To protect the consumers against the unpair and unscrupulous trade practices of the sellers and service providers, there is a need of consumer protection.

• ⇢ • Consumer protection has a wide agenda which includes educating consumers about their right and responsibilities as well as helps in getting their grievances redressed.

• ⇢ • To protect and promote the interests of consumers, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has been passed by the government of India.