What consumers get for patronage

With increasing taste of Nigerian consumers among the elite and middle-class, there are several big stores that have opened and are still opening all around, and they are making it big in the country. Consumers now enjoy the convenience that comes with shopping at these super stores.

The ambience inside the shops and haggle-free purchase system that reduces shopping time, relatively lower prices for some items and quality assurance that items can be easily returned if otherwise, add to consumers appeal for shopping.

However, what the consumers are not aware of is that in the past five years there has been a drastic change in the manufacturing sector of the Nigerian economy. Manufacturers of most household items have been introducing new products and re-launching old ones to strategically position themselves for better sales. Most of these involve changes in brand logos, brand name, etc., and at times it entails a total change in marketing strategy and in the advertising theme. Often, all these manoeuvres are superficial in order to mislead the unguided end user.

“In an era of super size and SUVs, some goods are actually getting smaller. Manufacturers are quietly trimming the content of their packaged products – from yogurt and ice-cream to laundry detergent and diapers – and often they aren’t dropping prices to match,” according to Time Magazine.

This tactic is not new, but because of the sagging economy and more careful cost conscious consumers, many manufacturers are now downsizing their products more aggressively to maintain their profit margin. The unfortunate thing is that, most consumers do not notice that weights and measures have changed a few grams or meters. The aftermath result is that, consumers end up spending more for less.

A clear example can be seen from most of our brewers, who are involved in re-branding most of their existing products in the guise of repositioning to fit new market trends. In their various rebranding,

What do we notice? Smaller and more attractive containers/bottles, what is the implication? The content has been automatically affected by the smallness of the containers. Some re-launch products that were practically not acceptable to the consumer when they first came out.

Apart from a particular malt drink that slightly increased content, others reduced content by systematically and attractively reducing the container. Consumers therefore have less quantity, may be same quality, and same price, or at times pay higher price for less quantity.

There is no exception with soap and detergent manufactures. You notice in this industry the same soap, may be also, same quality, coming in smaller form being launched and re-launched in other to deceive the final end user. The toothpaste manufacturers are also involved in this unwholesome act. Toothpastes are been re-launched into the market, even at a higher price. The juice manufacturers also share in this. Attractive fruit juices come in different attractive packs with less content. The unsuspecting end user never cares to measure or weigh it to confirm its content.

What about the tobacco industry? Cigarette smokers can tell that a stick of cigarette burns faster than what it is used to be; although, this can pardonable because it might be a way of discouraging people from smoking.

Our electronics these days come with attractive scientific devices that most people cannot operate efficiently. A slight surge in the source of power supply burns it out. Who is at loss?

The most annoying of this trickery is perpetrated by our motor vehicle manufacturers. New models of cars are sleekly and attractive to all. They are faster than the old models, with more electronically controlled devices, and above all, more expensive. But have you taken note that they are less safe?

Back in the 70s and 80s, when there was head-to-head collision, drivers and passengers could still be safe, because then cars were made of steel. Today, what do we have? A slight collision of cars results in the car being squeezed like a can of juice, resulting in the disablement or death of the occupants. Why? Because modern vehicles are mostly made of more fibre in order to increase its speed and reduce weight; the lighter a car is, the faster it moves and burns more fuel. These cars are more expensive, but less safe. We all know that steel is more expensive and safer than fibre.

At the end of the year, manufacturers declare fat profits after tax at the expense of the unprotected consumers. You then see shareholders smiling to their banks, and in turn use the supposed profits gained in buying same product at which they are short-changed. The irony in life, you may say.

For the manufacturers, it is good to boost sales and reposition your brands in the eyes of the consumers in this ever-widening competitive market, but making consumers an experimental tool to testing the viability of your products by exploiting their ignorance is not fair.

“Consumers really don’t have in their mind that they have to check the net weight or net count every time they buy something. It’s perfect consumer scam when consumers don’t know that they have been taken in,” said Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumers Advocacy website.

Manufacturers, consumers are becoming more aware of your tricks. All we are saying is be careful, otherwise your brands will be regarded as products that short-change consumers.

OSA VICTOR OBAYAGBONA & ANNE AGBAJE