Tuesday, 11 December 2012
DOHA: In a crackdown last month, government inspectors discovered a number of retail outlets not displaying price lists, mostly for fresh fruits and vegetables, in violation of the law.
In all, 87 shops selling various products and services were singled out by inspectors from the consumer rights watchdog for general violation of the consumer protection law, of which 42 were found not displaying price lists. The Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the Ministry of Business and Trade received 347 consumer complaints last month.
Non-display of price lists by shops, whether big or small--including neighbourhood stores--is a violation of law.
CPD inspectors discovered at one of the erring shops that the weight of a packet of the popular Arabic bread 'khubz' was less than legally prescribed. The size of the breads was found to be smaller than required.
In another outlet, electrical appliances of common use (plugs and wires, for example) were found to be of low quality -- quality that didn't fit Qatari standards and specifications.
Interestingly, one shop had launched a promotion without formal approval from the authorities concerned. While another had the permission to launch sales promotion but didn't follow rules.
The CPD inspectors raided exchange firms as well and discovered that one of these did not have its electronic display screen that shows exchange rates of major world currencies, operating.
At least eight outlets were found flouting the provisions of the law with regard to exchange of goods sold.
Five of the 87 erring shops were charged for overpricing. They had made customers pay more than the prices mentioned in their promotion brochures. Another five service-providing companies did not mention their rates.
© The Peninsula 2012
