High School

Three of the following are examples of customers, but not consumers. Which one is an example of someone who is both the customer and the consumer?

A. A mom who buys applesauce cups for her kids' lunchboxes
B. A student who buys a textbook to use for a marketing class
C. An administrative assistant who buys dry erase markers for the executive board room
D. An automotive repair shop that buys replacement auto parts to install

Answer :

The example of someone who is both a customer and a consumer is option b. A student who buys a textbook to use for a marketing class,” as the student is the purchaser (customer) and also the one who uses (consumes) the textbook.

The question revolves around the difference between a customer and a consumer. To clarify, a customer is someone who buys a product or service, while a consumer is the individual who actually uses that product or service. Sometimes, these roles overlap, but other times they are undertaken by different individuals or entities.

Reviewing the options provided:

  • A mom who buys applesauce cups for her kids' lunchboxes is a customer but not the consumer, as her kids are the consumers.
  • An administrative assistant who buys dry erase markers for the executive boardroom is a customer, but the members of the executive board who use the markers are the consumers.
  • An automotive repair shop that buys replacement auto parts to install is a customer, and the vehicles' owners would be the consumers of the installed parts.

Considering these examples, the correct answer is:

option b. A student who buys a textbook to use for a marketing class.

This person is both the customer as they purchase the textbook, and the consumer because they personally use it for their marketing class.