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LATEST
statistics released by the National Statistical
Coordination Board indicates that approximately 24 out
of 100 Filipino families did not earn enough to satisfy
their basic food and nonfood requirements.
In terms
of population, 30 out of 100 Filipinos in 2003 had
income short of the minimum cost of satisfying the basic
requirements. Although this is an improvement from 2000
in which 33 out of 100 Filipinos had income below the
poverty threshold, this still translates to millions of
Filipinos living below the poverty line.
National
Statistics Office data reveal that the July 2008
year-on-year headline inflation rate for all items in
the Philippines reached 12.2 percent, the highest since
December 1991 when it went up to 13.2 percent.
The
headline inflation rates for July 2008 in the National
Capital Region (NCR) and in areas outside NCR were 8.6
percent and 13.9 percent, respectively. However, the
core inflation rate for July, an indicator of future
inflation, which excludes price change of selected food
and energy items, decreased slightly to 6.3 from 6.6
percent.
Although
the government has been consistently increasing the flow
of social returns in terms of ensuring adequate food
supply, providing decent jobs and broader access to
basic social services, it is still the things we do as
consumers that count. Even the little things such as
comparing prices help in persevering.
In these
hard times, having the ability to stretch a few bucks
will go a long way. With mounting priorities, consumers
need to learn how to maximize budgets so that everything
they spend for is worth every peso.
But
shopping entails more than just grabbing an item and
lining up at the counter. It requires a bit of research
and some self-evaluation to be sure of getting exactly
what you need for the price you want.
In order
to become a smart and skillful shopper, here are some
pointers to remember before shelling out that
hard-earned money:
§
Ask
yourself, do you really need the product being offered
to you? Remember, if an item is on sale, it doesn’t mean
you have to buy it. To avoid impulse buying, bring a
shopping list and stick to it.
§
Can you
afford it? If you buy it, will you still have enough
money left to get other things you need? To be certain
of how much the item costs, check the price tag if it is
already inclusive of taxes, discounts or hidden charges.
§
Decide
on the exact use, benefits and features you need in a
product. If you find something appropriate, you don’t
have to buy it right away. Shop around and look for the
best bargain.
§
Check if
the product is suitable for you. When buying clothes,
for example, you have to make sure the item fits or you
may not be able to return it afterward. Remember that if
you simply changed your mind or made a mistake when
buying, you cannot make a claim.
§
Inspect
the merchandise. In some cases, you can ask the seller
to open a packaged item so you can examine it for
possible defects. You can also have appliances tested
right at the store before buying. However, if the seller
told you about the defect but you bought the item
anyway, there is no reason to demand a replacement or
refund from your purchase.
§
Does it
follow quality and safety standards? Certain goods such
as home appliances, construction materials, lighting and
electrical equipment need to undergo government testing
before they can be sold in the market. Once approved,
they are labeled with the PS or ICC mark as a guide to
consumers. Look for these marks to be assured of buying
safe and reliable goods.
§
Does the
product come with a warranty? If it does, always read
the fine print and find out what the manufacturer or
seller will do in case the product breaks down within
the given warranty period.
§
You know
that if a problem with your purchase occurs, you have
the right to complain. But do you know whom to contact
or where to go? Ask the seller so you don’t have to
grasp for answers later on. Always check the labels. As
a policy, goods should always bear the manufacturer’s or
importer’s name and address.
§
In the
case of services, shop around for a service provider
that can deliver exactly what you require for the best
price. Look for an indication of credibility, whether a
business permit or an appropriate license. Another tip
is to ask family members, neighbors and friends for
references.
Remember
that by buying wisely, not only do you get value for
money; more important, you are able to protect yourself
from dishonest businessmen that rob you of the right to
be a satisfied consumer.
OCTOBER
is CONSUMER WELFARE MONTH!
* * *
Send
your feedback and queries to konsyumeratbp@gmail.com.
For in-depth information on consumer issues, listen to
Konsyumer Atbp. every Saturday, 10:00-11:30 a.m. over
dzMM 630kHz. For consumer complaints, call the DTI
Consumer Assistance Hotline 751-3330 or Text
DTI<space>complaint and send to 2920 for Globe and Smart
subscribers. |
