An office manager buys a new printer for the workplace, a restaurant chef purchases vegetables from a supplier to use in the day's meals, a parent buys a new video game for their child to play at home, and a car dealership buys a fleet of new cars from the manufacturer. In this context, which individual is acting as a consumer?

Distinguishing Consumer Behavior

In economic terms, any individual or entity that purchases a good or service is classified as a consumer.

For each scenario described, match the economic actor to their correct role: 'Consumer' or 'Not a Consumer'.

The Defining Characteristic of a Consumer

In economic models, an individual who purchases goods and services specifically for personal satisfaction or use, rather than for manufacturing or resale, is referred to as a(n) ____.

An individual purchases a new, high-performance laptop. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates this individual acting as a consumer in the economic sense?

Evaluating the Role of a Purchaser

Analyzing Economic Roles in Context