Why Is it Important to Be an Informed Consumer?

Every purchase you make as a consumer should be treated as an investment in your happiness. You wouldn't invest in the stock market without being informed on the choices you were making, and the same concept should apply to your daily purchases. Being an informed consumer provides you and your family with a variety of benefits.

With almost any purchase you make, there are dozens of options for you to choose from. This is why being informed about your options is so important. If you are willing to do a little bit of research, you can find out what kind of quality products are available, and make a purchase that will last much longer than an impulse buy might.

With the wide variety of products made, some are bound to be made poorly. Recognizing shoddy workmanship could be key to protecting your family. By keeping yourself informed as a consumer, you know what products have received poor safety reviews or have been recalled. This is particularly important with bigger purchases like vehicles. Being well-informed can literally save your life.

Going into a store and listening to a sales person can be a dangerous venture, especially if that sales person is paid on commission. They have an incentive to sell you on the most expensive options, even if they aren't really what you need. Doing your research before you shop can save you hundreds of dollars in unnecessary features, and tell you where to shop to get the best price on your purchases.

For some individuals, the ethics behind the products or services they endorse are incredibly important. Generally speaking, you shouldn't support companies that engage in activities you do not approve of. Checking out companies for things like animal testing, labor exploitation or donations to sketchy non-profit organizations can help you make an informed decision. Your money doesn't just purchase a product. It helps to support the organizations that produce that product, and any cause they deem worthy.

Realistically, many people would probably give their right arms to be able to drive a flashy convertible. This is where being an informed consumer makes you more responsible in your purchases. If you investigate regular drivers driving high-performance vehicles, you're likely to find stories about fatal car accidents and high insurance rates. Arming yourself with information about the consequences of your purchases doesn't just make you an informed consumer; it makes you a responsible one.