What are the various forms of consumer exploitation?

Question

Please be specific.
Answer point to point

Answer 1

Capitalism is based on maximizing profits. However, consumer exploitation is profiting where no value is added. The "methods" are based on exploiting human frailty:

Fear:
Buy this or you won't be "x", or if you don't buy this, you'll be "y" or get stuck paying for "z".

Greed:
If you want to be rich, get "this".

Vanity:
If you want to be beautiful/sexy/handsome, buy "this"; if you want to be popular, you'll need one of "these".

Envy:
Don't you think "you" deserve one of these too?

Pride:
Would you buy a "cheaper" version of this for her/him just to save money? Is "this" what you want to be seen in/wearing?
Wouldn't you rather have one of "these"?

Guilt:
How much is your child's/wife's/husband's safety worth to you? Is this how you want them to remember you? Is this what she/he deserves after all they've done for you? Do you want to leave your children/wife/husband with a problem like this?

Product name, services that will never pay for themselves, inflated and hidden costs are all ways the consumer is exploited, but none of that would work without understanding that in order to exploit someone, you need to find their weakness...and it's done extremely well by going after human frailties.

Answer 2

http://www.answers.com/topic/exploitation?cat=biz-fin

The consumers may be exploited by the producers/sellers in number of ways like:
- In terms of Quality : Inferior quality, no quality control, faulty material used, no attention towards safety and security of the consumers;
- Warranty and Guaranty : Fake promises, disappearing producers after sales, no post sales service;
- Price: Higher prices; high cost of spares, obsollette model
- Advertisement: Fake promises, exharated quality,and over rated advertisements;
Consumers have to be alert to face all these exploitations.

Answer 3

Name Brand Vs Store brand - consumers believing that the name brand is a better quality when in actuality both brands are virtually identical.

Here's an interesting article about Whole Foods
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/162723/consumer_exploitation_at_whole_foods.html