Oman's consumer watchdog clawed back almost OMR50,000 so far this year

More than 47,000 rials in fines and refunds have been recovered for consumers this year, consumer protection officials announced.

During the first quarter of 2017, OMR 47,000 in fines and refunds was recovered for consumers by The Public Authority for Consumer Protection, as part of their efforts to resolve complaints received from consumers. 

Ziad Bin Saleh Al Wahaibi, Assistant Director of the Consumer Protection Department at Al Seeb, said that the recovered amounts were distributed in a number of sectors.

“Labour services were at the forefront of these sectors, and amounted to a total of 4,115 Omani rials in refunds. This was followed by the aluminium, blacksmith and carpentry workshops sector, at 3,765 Omani rials in recovered money,” he said.

Violations with furniture and upholstery shops resulted in a total refund of 3,521 rials, while 2,842.7 rials were refunded in the electrical and electronic equipment sector.

A total of 1,850 Omani rials were recovered in the kitchen items sector, and 1,840 rials were refunded in the contracting and construction materials sector.

Telephones and telecommunication services resulted in 1,232 rials in refunds, and the vehicle repair sector had refunds that amounted to 756.5 rials.

The Authority also managed to recover more than 12,000 Omani rials under “Other Services”.

Al Wahaibi added that the total fines for the same period amounted to 15,550 thousand Omani rials.

“The fines varied depending on the price difference between the asking price and the accounted price, whether it was a sale of prohibited products, and inaccuracy in labels for products, such as the date of production and expiry, weight, and others,” he said.

Al Wahaibi also pointed out that the Authority has replaced several products for the benefit of consumers. These include the replacement of a vehicle, 7 mobile phones, and 20 electronic devices

Source: Timesofoman