Look out for counterfeit products, CAC warns parents

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is urging parents to be wary of counterfeit products during their back-to-school shopping.

Director of Communications Latoya Halstead said parents should be cautious when purchasing severely marked-down items.

“You might be thinking that you are getting a deal when, in fact, it could be a knock-off. So you are paying money out of pocket for something that you are thinking is going to last, but in two to three months, it will no longer be useful because it’s not authentic,”she explained.

Halstead recommended that parents conduct research before purchasing items such as shoes and bags for their children and to spend time checking items when in the store.

“It is very important that parents walk with their book lists, check the edition of the book, the author and the publisher. Outside of keeping your receipt, do not wrap the books or write the name of the child in the book until you have verified if they will be used with the teacher,” she also advised.