Consumer Misbehavior
Consumer misbehavior refers to the common occurrence of consumers acting outside the norm. It is generally recognized that there are social behaviors that are acceptable in a given situation. Anything outside of those accepted behaviors is considered misbehavior. Consumer misbehavior is specifically related to retail and other markets, and includes things from cutting in line to fights between customers to credit card fraud. Combating consumer misbehavior is an expensive, time-consuming activity. Some economists estimate the total monetary value of consumer misbehavior to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Common Types of Consumer Misbehavior
Shoplifting
Shoplifting is the theft of goods from a retail establishment. Although a very common crime, it is still considered consumer misbehavior. Researchers divide shoplifters into two categories: "boosters," professionals who resell what they steal, and "snitches," amateurs who steal for their personal use. Researchers generally agree that shoplifters are driven by either economic or psychosocial motives. Psychosocial motivations may include peer pressure, a desire for thrill or excitement, impulse, intoxication, or compulsion.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud is a wide-ranging term for theft and fraud committed using a credit card or any similar payment mechanism as a fraudulent source of funds in a transaction. The purpose may be to obtain goods without paying, or to obtain unauthorized funds from an account. Estimates put the cost of credit card fraud to billions of dollars .
Credit Cards
Credit card fraud is a form of consumer misbehavior that can cost billions of dollars a year.
Black & Grey Market Economies
A black market or underground economy is a market in goods or services which operates outside the formal one supported by the established state power. It often involves illegal, smuggled, or counterfeit goods. In many parts of the world, black markets operate side by side with legal markets, sometimes openly. Worldwide, the underground economy is estimated to have provided 1.8 billion jobs. Similar is a gray market economy where a company makes their products available even they are not authorized to do so.
Combating Consumer Misbehavior
Although fairly expensive to do, many retailers have begun fighting consumer misbehavior. Retailers often employ more security and staff during times where the propensity for consumer misbehavior increases, such as during "Black Friday" sales. Many also use electronic tracking devices on products and closed-circuit television to fight shoplifting and fraud. Since the cost of consumer misbehavior can be so high, many retailers feel it is worth fighting.