Consumer Education
What the domain tests
Consumer Education tests informed buying: fibre and care labels, cost per wear, warranties, complaint channels, and sustainable consumption. Questions ask you to compare products on value rather than price alone.
Labels and rights
A label should give fibre content, care instructions, size and country of origin where required. Care symbols are instructions, not advertising. A consumer has responsibilities too: read the label, follow care instructions, keep a receipt and complain promptly. A warranty covers defined defects, not normal wear or misuse.
Value and cost per wear
Cost per wear = purchase price ÷ estimated number of wears. A cheap garment worn twice can cost more per wear than a dearer one worn often. Include cleaning and repair costs where relevant. Sustainable consumption means buying what you need, choosing repairable garments and disposing of textiles responsibly.
Worked example
Trousers A cost K25,000 and are worn 100 times; trousers B cost K8,000 and are worn 20 times. A = K250 per wear; B = K400 per wear. Reasoning: B has the lower price but the higher cost per wear. If B needs a K3,000 repair, its effective cost rises to K11,000 ÷ 20 = K550 per wear. The comparison changes if B is worn more often, so state the wear estimate.
Traps
Do not confuse price with value; do not assume a label guarantees quality; do not ignore care costs; do not accept a verbal promise instead of a receipt; do not discard a garment before checking repair options; do not treat cost per wear as exact when wear life is unknown.