Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 212 Unit 3 Investigating Career Pathways in Human Services A warranty is a written guarantee from the manufacturer that a product is in good condition. • Become educated about consumer rights. Although consumer rights exist, manufacturers are not required to direct consumers in taking action. Consumers need to learn about their rights. Understanding Consumer Buying Techniques Using fi nances wisely to make purchases requires careful planning and decision making. Comparison shopping is just one buying technique many consumers use to make good purchasing decisions. Wise consumers are also aware of all the places they can shop and choose the places that best meet their needs. They evaluate advertisements and determine whether or not they really need the product. They are also concerned about identifying sustainable products. Sometimes, consumers may have problems with goods and services they purchase and must take action to handle their complaints. Deciding Where to Shop Historically, consumers have purchased products in what are now known as brick and mortar stores. These stores have an actual presence in a location. Consumers get to examine what they want before buying it and then leave with the product in hand. Within this category, there are specialty stores that may charge a premium for having experts available to guide customers’ purchasing. There are also “box stores” that may offer Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com Figure 8.9 When comparison shopping, consumers should compare product features, quality, and price to identify the best choice for them. Are you a comparison shopper?