Q1. [2] medium thorough-understanding
A survey finds that many consumers strongly believe their regular shopkeeper never cheats them, so they do not bother checking weights or expiry dates. Why is this attitude risky, even if the shopkeeper is generally honest?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:28 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Even if a shopkeeper is generally honest, mistakes can still occur — wrong weights may be used accidentally, or expired products may be stocked unknowingly. Consumers have the right to be informed about goods they purchase. Checking expiry dates and weights is the consumer's own responsibility. Blind trust leaves one unprotected against unintentional errors and prevents one from seeking compensation or replacement when due.
Source: Chapter 5 — The Consumer in the Marketplace; Information about Goods and Services
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Explanation
- The key point examiners look for is that consumer responsibility cannot be delegated to trust — even honest shopkeepers can make errors.
- Mention the right to be informed (a COPRA right) — checking expiry dates and MRP is how consumers exercise this right.
- Also note that without verification, a consumer loses the ability to claim compensation or replacement if goods are defective.
- Do not just say "the shopkeeper may cheat" — the question specifically says the shopkeeper is generally honest, so your answer must go beyond deliberate cheating to cover accidents/oversights.