Shop wisely for back-to-school needs, Attorney General Roy Cooper encourages North Carolina families as the traditional calendar school year begins once more.
“Across North Carolina, many families are getting ready for a new school year and that means stocking up on school supplies,” Cooper said. “Shopping around, using price matching policies, buying from reputable retailers, and checking refund and return policies can help you avoid back-to-school shopping headaches.”
Cooper offered the following tips for back-to-school shoppers:
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- Know what you’re shopping for. Study school supply lists carefully before you shop and make sure you know specifics on size, quantity and type needed. Buying the right supplies to start with saves you the time and trouble of returning the wrong items, and the expense of not being able to return an item that’s been opened.
- Shop around. Many retailers offer promotions on popular back-to-school items but compare prices to be sure you’re getting a good deal. Ask if the retailer offers a price matching policy if you find a product you bought offered or advertised for less at another store. This can save you time and money.
- Buy from stores you know. Buying from well-established retailers improves your chances of returning or exchanging a purchase if needed. To check out a company’s track record, call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM, or contact your local Better Business Bureau. Also, check with your school to see if it has a recommended retailer that will send a portion of your purchase price back to the school.
- Shop safely online, too. If you shop online, stick to well-established companies with secure web sites (look for a lock icon on the site and a web address that starts with “https”). Get the company’s street address and telephone number and verify them before you place an order.
- Consider paying by credit card to improve your chances of getting a refund if the retailer goes out of business. If you order items that never arrive, you may be able to dispute the charge.
- Learn about refund and return policies. Stores aren’t required by law to accept returned items, so ask about refunds and returns before you buy. Many retailers offer store credit instead of a cash refund, and some charge a restocking fee for returns. Hang on to receipts, including printed receipts for online purchases. If your purchase came by mail, you may have to pay shipping to return it.
- Consider buying used or second-hand. Buying certain items used, especially expensive text books and electronics such as graphing calculators, can save you a lot of money. Check out local resale stores as well as websites such as eBay or Craigslist for second-hand deals.
To check out a company with the Attorney General’s Office or file a consumer complaint, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within North Carolina or visit www.ncdoj.gov.