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The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
There is no place like home. Or in this case, there is no better place to shop than close to home. Keeping small businesses in the Commonwealth alive and running has never been safer, easier, or more important. The My Local MA initiative, championed by …Continue Reading Buy Here: My Local MA Promotes Patronizing Businesses Close to Home
For the second year in a row we invited you to take a jog down memory lane with us as we looked back at the worst consumer products with our “Top 10 Worst Products for Massachusetts Consumers” list. The Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation …Continue Reading Top 10 Worst Products for Massachusetts Consumers of the Year 2020
The holidays are here and as you both give and receive gifts it’s likely you will find some cases in which items are the wrong size or style or color, are damaged, or otherwise just not right. This means one thing—returns. Unfortunately, there is no …Continue Reading Shopping Series 2020: Holiday Returns
The pandemic has forced consumers to shop online with increasing frequency. However, when buying virtually, things are not always as they seem. Unlike when you enter a brick and mortar store, when you shop online– even with brands you know and trust– you are not …Continue Reading Shopping Series 2020: Third Party Vendors
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are days away. And, the countdown to Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza is on. Are you ready to shop this holiday season? As you make your shopping list and check it twice, you will likely find yourself buying more things online …Continue Reading Shopping Series 2020: Online Shopping
Consumers deserve to feel confident that the price they see advertised in stores is the price they’re going to pay. That’s why the state’s Division of Standards (DOS) annually inspects retail stores to make sure their pricing is accurate. While overall inspectors find accurate pricing, …Continue Reading What You See is What You Get: Shopping Price Accuracy
In her novel Confessions of a Shopaholic, author Sophie Kinsella writes about shopping “you can always find something you want.” And as many consumers can attest, she’s right. In fact, the average consumer in the United States spends almost $2,000 a year on clothes and …Continue Reading Layaway? Not exactly
Many Americans are looking to 2019 to be a year of self-improvement, with the most common resolution being a greater dedication to health and fitness. If you plan to purchase a gym membership to kick start your new healthy lifestyle, make sure you have all …Continue Reading New Year, New You? What consumers should know about gym memberships before they sign.
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 Series: Bait and Switch
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2021