Consumer Buying





1.  Pick something (costing $50 or more) that you would like to buy.

     Find out these things about three different brands of the thing

     you picked: price of each brand from two different sources,

     guarantee, service, availability, quality, and one other important

     thing.



     Tell which you would buy. Why? Tell what your rights and

     responsibilities are in buying this. Tell the rights and

     responsibilities of the "seller."



2.  Do TWO of the following:

     [a] Visit the manager of a grocery or drugstore. With his help,

     select three different products. Make a chart that answers the

     following questions for each: [1] How many different brands does

     the store have? [2] How many different sizes, weights, or amounts

     does the store have? [3] What is the best buy? [4] Does is come

     in more than one kind of package? [5] What promotional devices

     are used? [6] Which has the best label? Why? [b] Make a collection

     of different kinds of advertising from magazines and newspapers.

     List which ads are: [1] the most helpful [2] the least helpful

     [3] misleading. Write a new ad for the one you think is the least

     helpful or misleading so it tells what the consumer needs to know.

     [c] Visit with five people outside your family. Find out what

     information they would like on a label. Tell what you learn.

     [d] Make up a food list for your patrol for three meals on an

     overnight trip. List what brands and sizes you would buy. List

     price and number of servings. Explain the reason for the things

     you picked.



3.  Check into how to buy a used car. Make a report on: [a] Where you

     go for information [b] The best time to buy [c] Difference in

     price compared to a new car [d] Risks you take when you buy

     [e] Three different types of credit institutions where money can

     be borrowed to buy it. Tell differences in costs. [f] Guarantees

     and service arrangements offered. [g] Differences in costs of

     operating various models.



4.  Tell about three laws on a national, state, or local level to

     protect the consumer. Why were these laws needed? What changes

     have come about from these laws?



5.  List two groups of people that help the consumer in your community.

     Tell: [a] The purpose of each group and what each group's

     activities are. [b] How they help the consumer. [c] How they are

     financed.



     Talk with two persons who have contact with each of the two groups.

     Find out how they feel the group helps the consumer. Report on

     what you find out.



6.  Describe three special problems consumers and merchants have in

     low-income areas. Explain what is being done to solve these

     problems.



7.  Describe the consumer services of a company or industry that has a

     NEW program to help its consumers. What would make the program

     more effective?



8.  Do ONE of the following:

     [a] Select a consumer issue that is being talked about in your

     town. Make a collection of newspaper or magazine stories about the

     issue. Tell about the various sides of the problem. Tell how this

     affects your family. [b] Study newspapers or magazines for planned

     consumer laws.

     Report on:

     [1] The good and bad points [2] How it might affect you as a

     consumer [3] How you would ask your legislator to vote on it and

     why. Write a letter to your newspaper or legislator to tell your

     views on the bill.