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The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) again conducted a survey of Massachusetts auto dealerships last month to determine how many were displaying Lemon Law stickers on every vehicle for sale, as mandated by state law. In May, we conducted the …Continue Reading November Lemon Law Sticker Audit Results
Compliance officers from the Division of Standards recently inspected 3,225 items in 100 retail stores throughout the Commonwealth. While many consumers might ask: What is the Division of Standards? The more important question is: What were they looking for? The state’s Division of Standards (DOS) …Continue Reading The Price is Right – The Massachusetts Item Pricing Law
The holiday season is in full swing, gifts are wrapped, recipes collected, and those string lights untangled. However, this popular decoration can be dangerous if not handled properly. We’ve gathered some tips on how to stay safe and festive this season: Make sure your …Continue Reading Holiday Lights Safety Guide
Despite your best intentions, some gifts you buy this holiday season may need to be re turned or exchanged. Before you head to the check-out, make sure you carefully read each store’s return policy. “All sales final,” “merchandise credit only,” “full cash refunds …Continue Reading Holiday Shopping Tips: Return Policies
Gift certificates are a popular option for many gift-givers during the holiday season. From nail salons, to restaurants, to grocery stores, gift certificates can be used just about anywhere. If your go-to gift this year is a gift certificate, remember these rules: Gift certificates …Continue Reading Holiday Shopping Series: Gift Certificates
The United States Postal Service estimates it will deliver around 750 million packages this holiday season. Package thefts rise during the holiday season, and some thieves will even follow delivery trucks to scoop up packages as soon as they are delivered. To make sure …Continue Reading Holiday Shopping Tips: Avoiding Package Theft
When buying a gift for a friend or family member, you worry about how much to spend or whether the recipient will like it. But what consumers don’t have to worry about is the product’s warranty. A warranty is a two-part pledge. First, it …Continue Reading Holiday Shopping Tips: Express Vs. Implied Warranties
As the weather gets colder scams targeting utility customers may increase as consumers balance the costs of heating their homes with the need for warmth. Some scammers pretend to represent a major energy provider and claim that they will cut your electrical power, assess …Continue Reading Turning up the heat on utility scams
Most consumers have heard of the term “bait and switch,” but may not be aware when it happens to them. A sales representative may try to convince you to buy a different item than the one you came for, which may simply seem like a …Continue Reading Holiday Shopping Tips: Bait and Switch
The Holiday Season is upon us. Over the next few weeks as the holiday music plays and decorations are put up, consumers will be flocking to malls and websites hoping to purchase the perfect gift for their family member or friend. “Cyber Monday” refers to …Continue Reading Holiday Shopping Series: Cyber Monday
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2016