Are Advertisements really fruitful for consumers nowadays?

"Let the eye of vigilance never be closed"

-Thomas Jefferson

In the very tune of quotation, here's a blog in the interest of consumers .

Advertisements play a vital role in the publicity of a product. The basic idea is to provide information about the product to the consumer, but nowadays it has become a way by which companies influence customers so as to sell their products. 

Companies pay a large amount of money to impactful actors/actresses to highlight their product and manipulate people.  

These advertisements are so influencing that people often buy products which are of no use to them. Teenagers  can be called the most effective target for these advertisements. They often get influenced by the fake promises , fairness creams being one such example .

Indian advertising is governed by industry body Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) which does not have penal powers. Between March and April 2020 , ASCI found a total of 533 misleading ads of which 50 were coronavirus cure promotions.

Unlike ASCI, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, seeks to penalise misleading ads. Manufacturers, service providers, and brand ambassadors found guilty face fines and jail terms for making misleading claims in ads.

Most of the consumers ,even now , are unaware and uneducated about their rights and responsibilities. Consumers are advised to test the quality and value of a product by personally checking the item and label provided.

Here are some tips that consumers should consider to defend themselves from such manipulations :

1. Always buy products containing standard marks(ISI/FPO/Agmark/Silk Mark etc).

2. Never pay more than MRP(maximum retail price) given on the label.

3. Always check ingredients used for manufacturing of the product.

4. Always remember that information provided on the label of the product is much more than just manufacturing and expiry date.

5. Do not get influenced by attractive packaging and advertisements of the product.

6. Remember , you can file a complaint about the product if you find it to be unsafe , defective or inclusive of any fraudulent practice (as per the Consumer Redressal Forum).

As Harish Bijoor, brand strategy specialist , said "Pandemic or no pandemic, a misleading ad is a crime. The arena of celebrities and the type of brands they push is certainly a matter of contention. "

Neither companies should play with the consumer's expectations and sentiments nor should customers let them. Everyone should be wide-awake and ethical enough while carrying out buying and selling of products. 

Stay Smart , Stay Satark.

By - Sakshi Dubey and Somya