BEING A WISE CONSUMER BEING A WISE CONSUMER

BEING A WISE CONSUMER

BEING A WISE CONSUMER • Consumer- buys products or services for personal use • Products • Food • Medicines • Consumable products- meant to bought over and over again • Hair and skin care • Durable- should last for years • Sports equipment

FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING PRODUCT • Safety • Cost • Off brands with the same ingredients • Warranty • Repair or replace product if there is a problem • Consumer testing • FDA

SERVICES • Doctors, Dentists, Gyms, Mechanics, Hair and nail salon • How to determine if the service provider qualified • Education and experience • License/certification • References • Complaints filed

ADVERTISING • The public promotion of a product or service • Let you know about products and services but rarely provide information you need to make wise choices • TV, Radio, social media, bill boards, magazines, celebrities

ADVERTISING METHODS Method Scientific studies Bandwagon approach Message Scientific tests prove the product is effective Everyone is using the product, you should too. Example “test prove that brand X works fast” “don’t be left behind use product X” Testimonial The product is effective because “The medicine trustworthy people recommend it. recommended by doctors and their families” Comparison to other The product is more effective that “Brand X now has 20% products others more pain killer than brand Y Emotional appeal The product is safest for you and your family “Choose brand X- your family’s health depends on it”

YOUR RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER • The right to information • Consumer protection • The right to complain • Identify the problem • Decide on your goal • Collect documents • Identify the person in charge • Put your complaint in writing

ACTIVITY • Create an ad for one of your favorite products • Food, hair, cologne, cleaning, clothing, shoes • Include • Choose a type of advertising method • Why the product is good • Why someone should by the product • Be persuasive