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Back To School Shopping Includes Technology, BBB Warns Shop With Care

By Karla James Jul 26, 2022 | 2:35 PM

Back to school shopping will soon be underway and a hot seller will be technology. After a crash course in educational technology during the 2020 school year, teachers and students rely more often on technology for learning. That means back to school shopping will likely include a new laptop, tablet, or notebook. Most of that shopping will be done online and the Better Business Bureau reminds shoppers to use extra care to avoid being scammed.

Vice President of Communications & Public Relations for Nebraska and Southwest Iowa Josh Planos says scammers are targeting shoppers with phony deals, enticing ads, and attractive fake websites. Here are a few tips to avoid being scammed.

Shop with familiar retailers. Technology is a major investment so do business with companies you know and trust.

Don’t buy from imposters. Fraudsters may use the name and logo and other characteristics of brands you trust. Check that website carefully to make sure they are who they say they are.

Low prices and short-term sales could be a sign you have encountered a scam. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

Some companies rarely offer sales so if you see a big ad, the products may be used, refurbished, or it could be a fake website.

Set a budget.  Identify what  capabilities will benefit your child and compare options. Shop around for a reliable seller and do research.

Big box retailers allow third party sellers to list items on their site. Those items can be hard to distinguish from the rest. Read the fine print and ensure you are comfortable with the seller.

Planos says make sure to finish your shopping early as supply shortages are possible. He says, “We’ve talked for three years now about supply chain shortages and the microchip shortage. There are going to be a lot of folks looking to do what you are doing right now and that is shop for back to school deals. It is best to get them out of the way now the best you can.” By shopping early now you may avoid paying higher prices or falling victims to a scam.

For more details on scam prevention, click here.

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