17 December 2008

Consumers' Sovereignty

Consumer sovereignty is something that is lacking in our country. Consumer sovereignty is a practice where, consumers has the right to buy goods at a cheaper price, choose good quality products and return damages / dysfunctional items to the sellers anytime.

It is frustrating that price hike is at a fast pace (like speedy Gonzales) in our country, probably due to its lucrative return, when the price is high. We all know that, if the price of output such as fertilizers and petrol increase today, without further ado, sellers will increase their price tomorrow. However, when the prices of these output decrease, sellers will give one hundred and one excuses not to decrease their prices. Why can't they give 101 excuses not to increase their prices?

The problem that we are facing now is that, first, our country allow sellers to establish business association such as fishermen association, 'kedai kopi" association. etc These associations decide the price. They boycott the consumers, forcing them to buy a cup of coffee at higher price. There is no competition among the coffee shops. We, the consumers have no choice but to pay the coffee at higher price because everywhere we go, they all sell coffee at the same price.

In United States, business associations are not allowed because they believe in consumers' sovereignty. Sellers should not decide the price but the consumers are. Any business caught associating or making a cartel agreement, will be fine or put in jail. They can't decide the price. America believe in free market (business competition) and hail consumers' sovereignty.

Secondly, consumers has no right to return goods taht are dysfunctional or that do not perform according to its description. I'm sure you have read this notice in almost every shops in our country:

"Goods Sold are not Returnable"

Guess what, in Australia, if you put up this notice, the govt. will put you in jail or fine you. They protect consumers' right to return damaged or dysfunctional goods and even goods that do not perform as they said in the brochures or as claimed by the sellers. Here, if you do that, they will ask you to "tapau" or "go and fly kite".

I hope you guys have read what I wrote above and probably you have better views than me. What do you think?

10 Messages:

JD (NOT MY REAL NAME) said...

i'm new to blogging and i wish to learn from any blogger,who has a lot of ads,gadget,their url add on their posted photo,happy-o-meter,tracking down visitors and you have good stuff on your blog.anyway,i got your website from facebook.i look into other peoples' blog as well,just to learn and catch up new things on the web.hope you don't mind.keep it up,very nice blog..simple yet full of info.bet you earn a lot from nuffnag and adsense i presume..

Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

Hi JD, thanks for visiting and thanks for the compliments. Just remember, money is not the reason for blogging. you can't really make money when you are the third party for advertising, unless the advertiser contact you directly to advertise their products. Keep on reading my blog yeah?

Coffee Girl said...

Sellers will use any opportunity to raise up the price of their goods. The other day I was trying to buy a bundle of sweetcorn along Jalan Bau. It usually costs between RM2.50 to Rm3.00 per bundle. That day it was RM7.50! I asked the aunty, "Wah, mahal juak. Kenak naik indah?" And she said, "Harga minyak naik." WTF! what has corn got to do with harga minyak?? And i told her so too. and she just shrugged and said, it's the standard price, and said she was trying to make a living. Well so do I! I didnt buy the corn.
Moral of the story: If it comes down to it, plant ur own garden, catch ur own fish, and rear ur own chicken and cows.

Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

ONe OTher > that price is totally ridiculous! I have never heard people selling sweet corn that much!

Khaye said...

Willie, I felt sad upon reading your post. I hope your country gets more educated in this aspect.

Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

Khaye > Thanks for reading my post on this and for visiting my blog. Didn't expect someone from Phillipine would come over and read my blog. Hahaha...it looks like my blog has suddenly become international.

Mya's mommy said...

where i am now, we normally have to right to return, refund or exchange some goods within 14 days and some shops offer 30 days...

Pn Hamidah said...

As consumers we should not be exploited by the market situation so the option is to do proper checks on prices of goods before we purchased them so that would create more competitive business.

Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

Myamom > that's why i like UK.

Hamidah > Yes. I believe we should practice our rights.

♥ little devil on your shoulder ♥ said...

i think i've seen the notice somewhere in spring right??? is it an it store?? i mean "THAT" IT store???? hehehehehe