(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State Fair opens today (Thursday) in Des Moines and fairgoers who pop into the Varied Industries Building to cool off will find hundreds of vendors, hawking everything from hot tubs to vibrating massage chairs. Lisa Schiller, at the Better Business Bureau, says it’s important to know exactly who you’re buying from before making a big purchase, especially if the vendor is from out-of-state.
Schiller is encouraging fairgoers to avoid impulse purchases, and don’t give in to pressure after a presentation.
Some purchases may be covered by consumer protection regulations — and others may not be covered. Schiller says buyers may have a chance to cancel certain transactions.
Schiller says consumers should understand the rule’s exceptions before assuming a purchase can be canceled. The B-B-B also recommends getting refund and exchange policies in writing when possible.
