Overview
Today's consumer is operating in a much more complex marketplace than could ever have been envisioned by Adam Smith, founding father of modern economics, who argued that consumers—not kings or parliaments—should rule nations. There is no doubt that the consumer is still sovereign, but controlling resources is becoming increasingly difficult. This text examines and explains the issues surrounding the modern consumer.
Highlights include:
- Student-based examples such as landlord-tenant disputes, sorting through credit card and cellular phone offers, purchasing cars and vehicle repairs, and choosing travel and various other "deals" wisely
- Internet and e-commerce is well-documented
- Introduces the circular flow model of consumption from beginning to end
- A full chapter on consumption shifts and the consumer movement
- State-of-the-art scientific and behavioral knowledge on diets, organically-grown food, genetically altered food, additives, food-related disease, and fast-food versus the slow-food movement
- A full chapter on health and wellness
- Practical information regarding purchasing homes, cars, insurance, and investments, including warranties and guarantees, product safety and awareness of "get rich quick" schemes
- A full chapter on identity theft and how to avoid it
Synopsis
This book provides and up-to-date look at the consumer movement and the intricacies of consumer behavior.
Incorporates Internet and e-commerce, media and advertising, consumer consumption shifts, diet and health consumption, and coverage of fraud and identity theft.
For those in customer service, marketing, and sales, and anyone interested in consumer science.