Consumer expert advises on school supply shopping

Gabriela Rumenova, founder of the online platform ‘Nie, potrebitelite’, has provided guidance for parents preparing for the upcoming school year. In an interview with Radio Veliko Tarnovo, the consumer rights expert advised parents not to rush their purchases and to carefully monitor prices and discounts.

Rumenova suggested a hybrid shopping approach, combining online research with physical store visits. She noted that online platforms often provide more detailed product descriptions, which can help prevent returns. However, she cautioned that while consumers have a 14-day right to cancel online purchases, they often bear the cost of return shipping, which creates logistical and financial burdens for merchants.

To manage budgets effectively, Rumenova recommended waiting until after the first parent-teacher meetings to understand specific requirements from educators. She also advised parents to assess what supplies from the previous school year can still be reused to avoid unnecessary spending. Finally, she reminded both retailers and consumers that all items, including small stationery like erasers and pencils, must have a clearly displayed price.