A. M. 
The Defensoría del Consumidor has strengthened its efforts to protect family budgets during the back-to-school season through the Observatorio de Útiles Escolares, a tool that monitors over 6,500 products nationwide and allows consumers to compare prices before making purchases. This constant monitoring helps parents and guardians identify stores with the lowest prices and make informed decisions, avoiding unnecessary expenses during peak demand.
The observatory includes a wide variety of school supplies, such as notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and books, as well as electronic equipment (computers and tablets) and office furniture. According to the Defensoría, monitoring is conducted weekly, allowing for the detection of unjustified price variations and the prevention of abusive practices that could strain family budgets.
These actions are part of the “Back to School” Defensoría Escolar, a plan that also includes inspections of businesses selling school supplies and related products. The goal is to verify compliance with current regulations, especially regarding accurate information in promotions and offers, respect for warranties, and the prevention of misleading advertising.
In addition to price controls, the Defensoría del Consumidor has set up information and complaint reception points in shopping centers and public spaces to provide guidance and legal support to consumers. It also maintains its communication channels, such as the 910 call center and WhatsApp service, to address inquiries or reports of potential rights violations.
According to Ricardo Salazar, president of the Defensoría Escolar, these measures aim not only to protect families’ finances but also to promote more transparent, responsible, and fair commerce during the back-to-school season. The agency emphasizes that access to clear and up-to-date information, along with oversight of businesses, strengthens public confidence and contributes to more conscious consumption.
With the Observatorio de Útiles Escolaresand its range of inspections and support services, the Defensoría del Consumidor is consolidating a comprehensive consumer protection mechanism designed to ensure that the return to school is free of abuses and provides greater economic security for salvadoran households.
You can also read:
