In: Operations Management
Retail Management is the subject: Discuss any experiences you have had or seen with the unethical price issues mentioned in the text or otherwise. (i.e. bait-and-switch, deceptive pricing, misleading ads, etc.) Why would retailers risk violating any of the legal issues discussed in this chapter. Explain.
A few years back I went to my maternal Aunt's city, I wanted to buy some chocolates for them as I was visiting them for the first time. I found a bakery shop and asked them to give me a family pack of chocolates. They gave me the pack of chocolates which I was familiar with. So, I gave them money without asking the price because I was pretty sure about the price. Later, they told me the price that was double the price I was paying. After a lot of arguments, I found out that it is the difference in a geographical area. This is known as predatory pricing which occurs in the different geographical areas to eliminate competition.
Retailers would risk violating legal issues because:
1) Attract Consumers: It helps in attracting consumers by giving them false claims. For eg: Fair and lovely claims that it will nake you fairer in one week, WHICH IS NOT TRUE. This is done to attract people who have wheatish skin tones.
2) Beat Competition: To compete in this competitive market. It is very difficult to stand out from your product among 100's of products. For example, They provide some fake features of their products to make their product above.
3) Make profits: The main motive of selling or manufacturing a product is to earn a profit. Several retailers do this by hiding the expiry date, ingredients list and etc.
4) Less Knowledge: Retailers think that consumers do not know about their rights. There are very few chances to be caught off. That is why, retailers risk violating legal issues.