Issues and Problems

Globalization has made the world smaller by integrating the global markets. This has exposed the consumers to the wide range of products and services available in the market. It has, on one hand, given them a greater choice of products and brands with lower costs. While, on the other hand, it has made consumers more and more quality consciousness and aware of their rights. As a result, they are able to voice their concerns about various problems and issues faced by them.

Some of the commonly raised problems are:

• Adulteration of food substances by traders through addition of substances which are injurious to health or removal of substances which are nutritious or by lowering their quality standards
• Misleading advertisements of goods and services in television, newspapers and magazines to influence the consumers demand for the same
• Variations in the contents filled in the package of goods
• Improper delivery of after sales services
• Supply of defective goods
• Hidden price component
• Use of deceptive or incorrect rates on products
• Use of false or non-standard weights and measures in supply of goods
• Production of low quality goods in bulk quantities
• Illegal fixation of Maximum Retail Price (MRP)
• Selling above the MRP
• Unauthorized sale of essential products like medicines, etc. beyond their expiry date to ignorant consumers
• Poor customer services
• Non-compliance with the terms and conditions of sales and services
• Supply of false or incomplete information regarding the product
• Non-fulfilment of guarantee or warrantee etc.

All such issues and problems must be handled more efficiently both at the Centre and the State level, with a view to protect the interests of the consumers and promote their welfare.