"I wouldn't even know how to go about it," Xie said.

The survey also claims that 71.6 percent are deterred from exercising their rights because they "dislike making trouble."

Tian, an electrical engineering junior at Tsinghua University in Beijing, bought a mobile phone in Harbin, Heillongjiang Province. Two years later, one button stopped working.

Even though the store honored the warranty, the same problem happened another three times. After the third time, she just stopped trying.

"It's too troublesome for me to bother," Tian said.

Fighting back

Some students are not taking no for an answer, fighting back and winning against what seems impossible odds.

Two years ago, Ruan Xiao bought a Hewlett-Packard laptop that constantly malfunctioned. After repairing it three times and replacing the motherboard, the Zhejiang University law student complained to HP and asked for a new one, but the computer giant refused.

Not one to give up, Ruan filed his case with the Hangzhou West Lake District People's Court.

Before the case went to trial, HP contacted Ruan last month offering to return his money. Although it took time and energy, Ruan only spent about 140 yuan in preparation and transportation.

Law experts attribute students' giving up on exercising their consumer rights to lack of familiarity with the law.

"When consuming rights are infringed upon, students should lodge a complaint with either customer service, business associations or consult a lawyer," said Wu Hongwei, an economic law professor at the Renmin University of China (RUC).

According to Feng Yujun, a law professor at RUC, students should practice responsible consumer habits like keeping receipts, and also take advantage of their numbers and exercise their power as a group.

"When students' consumer rights are violated, if one stands up, others can also enjoy the benefits," said Feng.