Ch. 3 Lesson 2: Buying Personal Products

BELL ACTIVITY Which product will you buy? Why? Which product will you buy? Why?(Toothpaste) A.B.C.

Decisions, Decisions Consumers (YOU) spend millions of dollars each year on personal products – shampoo, toothpaste, and skin creams. Consumers (YOU) spend millions of dollars each year on personal products – shampoo, toothpaste, and skin creams. Companies spend millions of dollars too – trying to convince you to buy their products. Companies spend millions of dollars too – trying to convince you to buy their products. How can you choose wisely? How can you choose wisely?

Figure 3.3 Choosing Personal Products Wisely p. 65 √ Does the product offer the results I am looking for? √ Is the product safe? Can it harm me – or others? √ What benefits can I realistically expect from the product? √ Is the product worth the price? Is there an equivalent product that costs less? √ What sets the product apart from other, similar products? √ Have I used other items made by the same company? Was I satisfied?

Wise Buying Quackery – the sale of worthless products and treatments through false claims. Quackery – the sale of worthless products and treatments through false claims. May be advertised in the mass media, sold through the mail, or offered over the phone. May be advertised in the mass media, sold through the mail, or offered over the phone. Their makers claim that they cure or prevent diseases or other health problems. Their makers claim that they cure or prevent diseases or other health problems.

Avoiding Quackery Remember that product claims that sound too good to be true usually are. Be especially careful of claims concerning beauty aids, diets, and “miracle” products. Remember that product claims that sound too good to be true usually are. Be especially careful of claims concerning beauty aids, diets, and “miracle” products. Don’t be taken in by impressive sounding words, “secret ingredients” or glowing testimonials by unknown people Don’t be taken in by impressive sounding words, “secret ingredients” or glowing testimonials by unknown people Beware of “free” samples for which you’re asked to send money to “cover shipping and handling costs” Beware of “free” samples for which you’re asked to send money to “cover shipping and handling costs” Check with your doctor or pharmacist before buying or using products. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before buying or using products.

Reading Product Labels p. 67 Can help you make safe use of the products you buy Can help you make safe use of the products you buy Figure 3.4 Figure 3.4 Product’s intended use Product’s intended use Amount in container Amount in container Product name Product name Directions for use Directions for use Manufacturers name and address Manufacturers name and address Ingredients Ingredients Warnings Warnings Control Number Control Number

Comparison Shopping Make a habit of comparison shopping. Make a habit of comparison shopping. Comparing products, evaluating their benefits, and choosing the products that offer the best value. Comparing products, evaluating their benefits, and choosing the products that offer the best value.

Consider these factors when comparison shopping…p. 68 Cost – Compare prices of the same brand in different stores Cost – Compare prices of the same brand in different stores Features – Avoid paying for features that you don’t need Features – Avoid paying for features that you don’t need Quality – Well-made products generally outlast those that are poorly made. “You get what you pay for.” Quality – Well-made products generally outlast those that are poorly made. “You get what you pay for.” Warranty – Before you buy a costly product, ask about the warranty. Warranty – Before you buy a costly product, ask about the warranty.

Closing Define the term quackery. Define the term quackery. List two ways in which the information on product labels can help you. List two ways in which the information on product labels can help you. What is a warranty? What is a warranty? How might NOT reading a product’s label be dangerous? How might NOT reading a product’s label be dangerous?