Consumer Association finds wide range of prices in the school supplies market

A wide range of prices can be seen in the school supplies market, with the Cyprus Consumers' Association urging parents and children to be careful and well-prepared when shopping.

A survey carried out by the Cyprus Consumers Association, both online and in person at 10 points of sale throughout Cyprus, estimates that the prices of school supplies have a very wide range, with some fluctuations compared to the prices of 2023. According to the Association, some businesses offer their products at a lower price if the purchase is made online rather than in-store.

In more detail, according to the data gathered by the Association, the cost of a school bag starts from €3.99 and can reach up to €209.95, depending on the size, design, and brand. The cost of a pencil case ranges from €0.79 to €51.40, while the prices of pencils, pens and markers start from €0.13 and go up to €14.99.

50- and 100-sheet notebooks, as well as two-issue spiral notebooks can cost from €0.39 to €9.99, while a filing folder can cost from €0.30 to €5.95.

In relation to school clothing, prices for school shirts, including ones of special offer, range from €3.99 to €29.50, for school trousers from €6 to €26, and school skirts from €11.50 to €25.

As the Association states in its announcement, compared to last year, school bags and pencil saw a decrease in the cheapest prices of 20% and 47% respectively.

In contrast, markers, pencils, pens and filing folders saw a marked increase in the cheapest prices of 30% and 50% respectively. School notebooks did not show any fluctuations in their cheapest prices.

For school bags and school notebooks there was a decrease in the most expensive prices of 38% and 21% respectively. On the contrary, in for pencil cases, markers, pencils, pens and filing folders a noticeable increase was observed in the more expensive prices of 14%, 39% and 49% respectively.

The total purchase cost is determined according to the choices and needs of each student.

As the Association notes, the period of buying school supplies is an opportunity to educate children on how to navigate the labyrinth of the market but also how to avoid the traps of advertising and unnecessary consumption. As noted, this requires planning, market research and price comparison.

Providing advice on shopping for school supplies, the Association suggests drawing up and making a list of the items necessary for the start of the new school year, calling on parents to help children understand that there is a big difference between what they really need for school and what they think they need.

In addition, it recommends carrying out market research for the purposes of price comparison and quality control of the items to be purchased.

The Association also advises parents to check whether the product is appropriate for the child's age, noting that for health safety purposes it is best to prevent children from buying school supplies that look like food or even have a food-like flavour.

In addition, it recommends that the choice of school bag be made based on the student's physical strength, weight and build.

In the event that the purchase is made in person at the store, the Association suggests that consumers be informed about the returns policy in force before making the purchase, noting that for purchases from the store there is no legal obligation and it is up to the policy of each store whether to accept returns or exchanges.

Finally, it notes that school supplies are learning tools, not something to us use to show off.

In the event of violations concerning the safety and health of young students, such as the sale of school supplies that resemble food or have a food aroma, differences between the prices listed on the shelf and the prices paid by the consumer, misleading offers and non-disclosure of the retail sale price, consumers can contact the Cyprus Consumers Association at 22516112 and at the email address info@katanalotis.org.cy, or call the Consumer Hotline at 1429.

(Source: InBusinessnews)