The following are some of the catchy advertisements of products that we purchase from the market. Which of the following offers would really benefit consumers? Discuss.
- 15 gm more in every 500 gm pack.
- Subscribe for a newspaper with a gift at the end of a year.
- Scratch and win gifts worth Rs 10 lakhs.
- A milk chocolate inside a 500 gram glucose box.
- Win a gold coin inside a pack.
- Buy shoes worth Rs 2000 and get one pair of shoes worth Rs 500 free.
Among the given offers, '15 gm more in every 500 gm pack' would really benefit consumers as it provides extra quantity at the same price, which is a genuine benefit. Similarly, 'Subscribe for a newspaper with a gift at the end of a year' offers a definite reward for commitment.
However, offers like 'Scratch and win gifts worth Rs 10 lakhs' and 'Win a gold coin inside a pack' are promotional tricks that benefit very few consumers. These are similar to false claims made by companies to attract buyers. The 'Buy shoes worth Rs 2000 and get one pair worth Rs 500 free' offer may push consumers to spend more than intended. Consumers must be conscious and not get lured by catchy advertisements that may deny their rights.
Explanation
This question is from the 'Let's Work This Out' section in the NCERT textbook. The context highlights how companies make false claims to attract consumers, like baby food companies claiming their product was better than mother's milk. Students need to apply this understanding to identify which offers genuinely benefit consumers versus which are marketing gimmicks. The answer should demonstrate consumer consciousness - a key concept in the chapter.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify offers that give definite benefits (extra quantity, assured gifts)
Step 2: Identify offers based on chance/lottery that benefit few consumers
Step 3: Apply the concept of consumer awareness and need for protection from misleading claims