Module 2 - Finding a good deal

In this module students compare prices of toys and games and investigate the benefits and risks of buying items from a range of outlets.

Learning outcomes:

• Students will explore and describe their role, rights, and responsibilities as a consumer
• Students will examine and describe the factors that influence people’s purchasing decisions.

Key concepts:

• Goods and services
• Market
• Choices
• Financial decision making
• Consumer
• Responsibilities
• Rights

Conceptual understandings:

• People have rights and responsibilities as consumers.
• The market provides a range of goods and services for people to choose from.

1. Price spies

Students research prices for the 5 choices of toys and games with the highest scores from their decision-making grid activity in module 1. They could investigate local stores, other New Zealand-based stores and websites, international shopping websites (currency conversion and shipping costs may be necessary), and second-hand stores and websites, such as local opportunity shops and Trade Me.

Younger students could do this as a whole-class activity with teacher guidance. Older students could investigate prices in small groups or independently.

Have the students discuss their findings and calculate where they can get the best deals.

2. Places to buy

In small groups have students discuss the benefits and disadvantages of buying face-to-face, online, from shop trucks, mobile traders, and second-hand shops. They can build a pros and cons list for each option and share their lists with the class.

An example of a pros and cons list:

Buying face-to-face

Pros

• You can see what you are buying.
• You can talk to the seller and ask questions about your purchases.
• You get your purchases straight away.
• You can go back to the shop if there is a problem with your purchases.

Cons

• You have to go to the store.
• The goods might be more expensive than they are online.
• There might not be as much choice.

3. Online savvy

Students investigate what consumers need to look out for when shopping online. They can contact the Citizens’ Advice Bureau(external link) to research how to shop online safely, or they can phone or email their local bureau to get advice.

Alternatively, students can research websites to compile a list of tips for online shopping safety. Useful websites include:

• Consumer Protection – Online shopping
• Netsafe – Shopping online safely(external link)
• Fair Go’s guide to how not to get burned shopping online(external link)

Have students each choose one item from the class decision-making grid and research the online websites it can be purchased from. Students can record:

• How many different businesses in New Zealand sell this item?
• Can this item be purchased from overseas? Where are the overseas sellers based?
• How is the item described on the websites?
• Which website provides the most useful information?
• What is the range of prices for this item?
• Using the online shopping safety tips they have learnt, which websites would they purchase your item from. Why?

4. Where would you shop?

Students can evaluate the information they have gathered during module 2 and decide on the best places to buy their selected items. In pairs, have them justify their choices.

Word wall

Vocabulary for module 2 includes:

• consumer
• rights
• risks
• consumer protection
• online shopping
• second-hand goods
• pros and cons.