CT BBB Tip: Back to School Shopping

CROMWELL, Conn.— Back-to-school season is coming up but, in some areas, it's unclear how it will play out. With vaccines now available, it could make for a close to normal school year in some areas of the United States as administrators make decisions about when and how to continue teaching. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has suggestions for U.S. administrators to consider as they are making plans for the upcoming year.

 

As families prepare for the upcoming school year, National Retail Federation (NRF) studies indicate back-to-school spending leans towards the need for new outfits. It's time to put away the sweat pants and put on the good clothes. Half (49%) of parents with school-aged children say their kids are most excited to shop for apparel this year, up from 42 percent last year. 

 

Before determining what students may need for the year, be prepared for a shift from one teaching format to another, and set a budget. Planning ahead, as much as possible, will help keep expenses to a minimum and help everyone involved stay on task.

 

BBB recommends the following tips when looking for school-related items, either in person or online:

 

 

Retailers are eager for shoppers to come back but with restrictions. Mask mandates, social distancing, hand sanitizer, and other precautions may still be in place for some locations, as well as restrictions for those who have not been vaccinated. If you're hoping to try on the latest fall fashion, contact the retailer before to see if their fitting rooms are open. If not, ask about their return policy or order online. Make sure anything you purchase that you weren't able to try on is returnable. 

 

 

Check with your child's school to find out their technology requirements, and determine if there are any changes necessary to the home's high-speed internet. Before purchasing an expensive laptop, tablet or other computer accessory, research the brands, warranty, customer reviews and the prices at various stores to make certain the best deal can be had. Also, look up the retailer's reputation on BBB.org.

 

Compare prices between different retail stores, save coupons, sign up for email alerts and redeem any cash-back or rebate offers. Sometimes you have to show an online coupon you received via email in order to get the discount. This will help get the best deals and stay within budget.

 

 

Many stores and software companies offer discounts. Some of them are available to students that have either a .edu email address or a student ID. Others may have a discount for signing up for marketing materials, or surf the internet for online coupons and discounts (make certain they are affiliated with the retailer). Even if you don’t see a discount advertised at the store, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

 

 

When shopping online, be wary of "click bait" ads that feature items that imply that you may want or need it based on the search history. Scammers could be trying to drive you to a different website to potentially steal personal information. Take note of the ad and go to the store's website by directly typing into the search bar. Make note of the website's privacy policy, contact information, and always use a credit card when making a purchase. 

 

 

Connecticut residents have another way to save money too, which is to shop during Sales Tax-Free Week. Beginning the third Sunday of August, Connecticut residents can shop tax-free for most clothing and footwear sold for less than $100.

 

The 2019 Connecticut Sales Tax-Free Week runs from Sunday, August 15^th, through Saturday, August 21^st, 2021.

 

For a list of items exempt during Tax-Free Week click here.