Product reputation
Topic: Consumer Rights and Consumer Protection · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 12 "Understanding Markets"
Meaning
Product reputation is what other buyers think and say about a product. Buyers cannot always judge quality before buying, so they rely on word of mouth and online reviews from other consumers. A good reputation brings in buyers, and a bad one drives them away. This gives producers a reason to keep quality high. The weak point is fake or paid reviews. To tackle them, the BIS standard IS 19000:2022 sets rules for collecting, checking and publishing online consumer reviews.
Example
A family planning to buy a mixer-grinder reads online reviews. Many buyers complain that one brand's motor burns out quickly, so the family picks a better-rated brand.
Don't confuse with
- Certification mark (such as ISI or Agmark): a certification mark is an official check that a product meets set standards. Reputation is the informal opinion of other consumers.