Eid Al Fitr shopping: How Dubai inspectors prevent price hikes, protect consumers
Dubai: More than 95 per cent of businesses in Dubai complied with the relevant rules and regulations governing price mechanism and consumer protection during the holy month of Ramadan, the Department of Economic Development (DED) announced. A senior official said on Tuesday that there was a reduction in consumer complaints due to this.
Ramadan was not a reason for us to stop the inspections as I have ordered my team to visit the market to keep an eye on the prices of commodities. Rule-following constituted about 95 per cent of the market.
Thus, price hikes weren't a major part of our complaint. Ahmad Ali Moosa, director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT) under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said there were few instances in the construction and maintenance areas, however.
“We really had no infractions, to be honest with you. Only some complaints were related to cold calling and car hire companies refusing to return deposits. Ahmad said the decrease in complaints is a positive indicator that businesses are complying with consumer protection regulations.
Ahmad leads a tour for the DCCPFT team to inspect a shopping mall to ensure market readiness for Eid Al Fitr An hour-long tour of a hypermarket and stores for sweets, confectionery, footwear, kanduras and jewellery ensued.
Ahmad and his team visited residences across Dubai to monitor the prices of frozen items, rice, drinks and other essential consumer goods used by residents in Dubai.
The inspectors, who took along their inspection devices to inspect prices including original and discounted prices displayed under loyalty schemes, verified whether the original and discounted prices are consistent and that consumers are protected.
Inspectors also requested a few retailers to put price tags when they discovered a few had not, sources said. Ahmed ordered the team to go back to the retailers a few days later to check that they had affixed the new price tags. “We sent out just a warning today. This means that the next time they are inspected, if they don't put a price tag, they will be fined.'"
In addition, they also examined the licenses of retailers and promotions.
“They are random; we do not notify the market when we are arriving for inspections. Nonetheless, there is an internal punctual daily and monthly visiting regimes going to multiple locations and inspectors promptly upload all market feedback and proof they glean. They act immediately to enforce restrictions in case of violations. And we can see where our inspectors are moving too.
The whole purpose is to help educate businesses rather than charge them, he said. We are facilitating the experience and improving the experience for Dubai businesses.
Ahmed said the duration of each inspection time would be around 30 minutes to an hour, including travelling time depending on sizes of the outlets.
Their team constantly monitor prices to make sure there are no price increases. He added the DET wanted to "make sure that prices are visible to the public" and that businesses were complying with the legislation.
Such things instill confidence among the buyers. This is when they understand the government preserves rights and earns those rights' return when it comes the business shopping season like Eid Al Fitr. We're also considering the fair trade part of it, too.
We must ensure the market is not being manipulated, and companies are abiding by the rules.
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