There is a wide range of prices and choices in all categories of school supplies, the Director of the Consumer Protection Service, Konstantinos Karagiorgis, and the Legal Officer of the Cyprus Consumers' Association, Virginia Christou, told the Cyprus News Agency (CYPE) on Monday, noting that there is an increasing using the internet both for research and for purchasing school products.
For his part, the President of the Pan-Cypriot Volunteer Coordinating Council (CVCC), Ilias Dimitriou, told KYPE that the CVCC will help more than 2200 families with school supplies.
Mr. Karagiorgis reported to KYPE that a preliminary market survey was conducted by the Consumer Protection Service on July 29 so that there is a comparative basis with a new survey that will be conducted on August 29. He added that the July 29 survey showed that there was a wide range of prices and choices in all the categories recorded, namely bags, stationery and clothing.
"The bottom line is that consumers have the ability to make their choices according to their needs, but also their financial capabilities," he said. He further indicated that there are quality differences between products and, therefore, price should not be the only criterion for choosing school products.
Market research and budget for the essentials
Mr. Karagioris also noted that a market survey should be carried out from the point of view of consumers in advance and stores that are closer to the needs and financial possibilities of each should be used. He also urged the use of the internet for both price comparison and shopping.
At the same time, he pointed out that both parents and children should keep certain tips in mind when shopping for school supplies. He noted that the budget for the purchase of school supplies should be set in advance and stick to it, while students should buy what they really need and use school supplies from last school year that are in good condition.
Mr. Karagioris also said that the choice of school supplies is also an opportunity to educate the children - who will also be the future consumers - in matters of proper consumer awareness and culture, explaining that through the purchases they make, accompanied and of their parents, they learn exactly what they should buy, they learn the needs they should have and satisfy, without making unnecessary purchases.
He pointed out that it is very important for consumers to be informed about the returns policy of physical stores, as he said there is no legal obligation and it is up to each physical store's policy whether to accept returns or any changes. He noted that there is also the issue of guarantees in any purchases made, as determined by law, adding that if the consumer discovers that the product he bought is defective, he must be able to return it back to the store, or if he is not satisfied, he is invited to make a complaint to the Consumer Protection Service.
Speaking about online purchases, Mr. Karagioris said that consumers should be sure of the reliability of online stores so that before making purchases they know that it is a proper and reliable online business.
Daily checks by the Consumer Service
When asked whether misleading advertisements or false discounts on school products were detected, Mr. Karagioris replied that so far no such complaints have been received from consumers, pointing out that "anything found that is to the detriment of the consumer, false misleading purchases, unfair practices or anything else it is understood that the Service is always at the disposal of consumers to make a complaint to 1429 (Consumer Line) and the Service will always be next to the consumer to serve his interests".
He also said that there are checks on the market every day for the products, noting that "we want to build a trust between consumers and the Service, but also consumers and businesses so that there is a smooth functioning of the market".
The Cyprus Consumers Association conducted a survey
For her part, Ms. Christou told KYPE that the Association carried out a survey both online and in person at ten points of sale of school supplies throughout Cyprus and the general picture that has emerged is that there is a wide range of prices with some ups and downs compared to the 2023 prices in specific products.
Ms. Christou added that a very general conclusion drawn from the said research is that if a family chooses to order school supplies online it may cost them much less than buying them physically from the store, noting that "it seems clear that and the internet will play an important role in the purchases that consumers will make."
Citing figures from the Statistical Service, Ms. Christou said that the figures clearly show that for 2024 Cypriots choose to buy products from the internet and there is an increasing trend.
School bag from €3.99 up to €209
Referring to the cost of school supplies, Ms. Christou said indicatively that the cost of a school bag starts from €3.99 and reaches €209 for this year, compared to last year when the most expensive bag was €340.
He added that in relation to the school casket, the prices start from €0,79 cents and reach €51,40, noting that there was a decrease in the price compared to last year. He also said that there was a slight increase in the prices of markers, pencils, pens and filing folders, while there was no change in the prices of school notebooks compared to last year.
Speaking about clothing items, Ms. Christou said that in relation to jerseys, shirts and trousers there was a slight decrease compared to last year, noting that there seems to be a slight increase in prices for school skirts. "However, in general, all products fluctuate more or less at the same prices as last year," he said.
Returns within 14 days for online purchases
Asked to answer whether consumers have rights in case they bought defective school supplies, Ms. Christou replied that according to the law, when someone buys something online they have the right when and if they don't use it, within 14 days of receipt of the product to return it back and ask for his money, whereas, if the purchase is made in physical presence in the store then there because there is no legislation the policy of the company applies.
Asked if there are complaints or complaints to the Cyprus Consumers' Association, Ms. Christou said that there are some consumer complaints regarding the non-indication of prices on some products, mainly school products. He also said that in one case, a company presented school products at a discount but without the price being different from the original, which constitutes a violation of the law.
Mrs. Christou called on consumers if they find anything on the market that they consider needs further investigation or that the prices of the products are not listed or there is an issue of product safety or even if unfair practices are observed on the part of businesses towards consumers to contact the Cypriot Consumers' Association on 22 516 112 or even with the Consumer Line of the Ministry of Commerce on 1429.
The school bag should not exceed 1/10 of the child's weight
At the same time, Mrs. Christou pointed out the importance of choosing the right school bag, indicating that based on research, the school bag should not exceed 1/10 of the child's total weight.
At the same time, he called on parents to be especially careful, and for the safety and health of their children, to avoid school products that have the aroma of different foods or different fruits or resemble different foods because they contain chemicals that are dangerous for children's health.
Also, he continued, “it is very important to be careful with purchases made by international platforms. There are products that are dangerous on the market because of this and consumers should monitor and be informed through the RAPEX bulletin, which is published on the website of the Ministry of Commerce and see in this bulletin which products have been withdrawn from the market. he reported.
More than 2200 families requested school supplies from PSSE
Mr. Dimitriou, told KYPE that the PSSE is organizing again this year the Cyprus-wide campaign to collect school supplies that are in very good condition for the children of vulnerable families, an action that, as he said, has been going on for ten years.
He noted that this year's campaign started two months ago and ends at the end of August, with the aim of helping financially vulnerable families who cannot give their children the necessities for the new school year. He said the items being collected include bags, cases, computers, office supplies, stationery and more.
Asked how many families will be helped through this action, Mr. Dimitriou replied that the record made by the PSSE member organizations - which are over 480 non-governmental organizations - speak of 2200 families throughout Cyprus, noting that the first indications show that there are more applicants for aid than last year.
When asked if the distribution of school supplies to families has started, Mr. Dimitriou said that this is done from the first moment, while this year the campaign started much faster, before the schools closed for the summer holidays. He also mentioned that so far there has been a response from the world as well as from companies, the local government and other agencies to support the effort, expressing optimism that this year help will be given to all those who need it.
He noted that there is a check by the PSSE organizations for the families where the help is given and there are criteria for selecting the families, while he added that anyone who would like to offer or request help can call 22 514786 (PSSE phone).
School and to the students of Rizokarpasos and Kormakitis
Mr. Dimitriou also stated to KYPE that through this action the stranded children of Rizokarpasos and Kormakitis have also been helped with the cooperation of Hellenic Bank. He said that unfortunately this year the occupying forces did not allow the PSSE to go to the occupied schools and give help, like in previous years. However, the children came to the free zones and were given the necessary school materials such as bags, notebooks, cassettes, stationery and more.
Source: KYPE
