Sales, offers will boost local markets

DED team also has the responsibility of settling disputes and complaints by implementing policies that will help streamline the relationship between the trader and the consumer.

It is the constant endeavour of the Department of Economic Development - Dubai (DED) to boost the domestic market by enhancing the trust of the consumer. The aim is to show the consumer that the domestic market is better compared to international ones. This can be largely achieved by providing a safe shopping environment that gives the consumer the confidence and enhances his comfort level.

Complaints & Responses A job half done:  A complainant claimed that he paid a company Dh28,500 to construct a swimming pool in his house, and the latter reneged on the contract. He said the company had promised to complete the pool and furnish it with the required equipment but it only carried out the digging works. The Consumer Complaint Section contacted both the parties. After reviewing the documents that substantiated the complainant’s claims, the establishment was told to refund the complainant his money — Dh28,500 — in full. Stuck with a non-cooperative maid: A lady lodged a complaint against a domestic help supply agency. She said she hired a housemaid, but the maid was not doing the housework assigned to her. In fact, she was not willing to work at all. The complainant wants to return the housemaid to the agency and get back Dh14,000 she paid as advance to the agency. The Consumer Complaint Section contacted the domestic help agency and discussed the matter with them. The agency has agreed to take the maid back and refund the lady Dh13,000. The agency, as per the law, has the right to deduct Dh1,000 as processing fees. False promises:  A man complained against a décor shop claiming the shop had agreed to supply him with specific imported decorations in a certain time period. However, the shop failed to stick to the agreement and the decoration material did not arrive even after a long period. The Consumer Complaint Section communicated with the shop and after checking on the documents and receipts, the shop was told to refund the complainant his money. However, the shop promised it would install the decorations within seven days. The complainant was informed of the updates on his case, and the complaint has been settled. (Compiled by Salah Al Deberky)

The markets will be under constant surveillance with a team that works full steam monitoring markets. The team also has the responsibility of settling disputes and complaints by implementing policies that will help streamline the relationship between the trader and the consumer.

It has always been the endeavour of the DED to provide special services to traders, like for example helping with obtaining permits for promotional offers or permits for working extra hours, sometimes even after midnight.  Such permits, undoubtedly, serve the consumer in one way or the other. We, advise consumers to avail of such promotional offers where the products will be sold at special and competitive prices. Moreover, the extra hours make it convenient for them. The commercial compliance and consumer protection sector plays a major role in this regard by ensuring these permits are correct and have credibility.

The sector also receives complaints lodged by consumers and takes decisions on them. It also helps settle the disputes within the purview of the consumer protection law. It is very important that the consumer takes the purchase bill, warranty certificate and other documents on the product or the service he has purchased. Also, the shopper should make sure he is aware and avails of the promotional offers promised by the trader.

There are several apps which can be uploaded on the smart device to ease the calculation process.

(As told by Nasser Al Zahid, senior director of the follow-up section.)

162 companies booked for trade licence violations

The Department of Economic Development - Dubai (DED) booked 162 companies in the first quarter of this year for submitting “misleading information” about the activities they are licensed to practise while applying for trade licences. According to Abdul Aziz Al Tanak, Director of the Commercial Compliance Division of the DED, a specialised team was formed to follow up on trade licences and the documents submitted. “The team found that some companies violated the rules and laws governing the issuance of trade licences by applying for one without presenting a tenancy contract,” he said.

 Studies and field visits conducted by the team showed that the errant establishments submitted information for issuing trade licences through representatives or unreliable offices. As a result, the companies will be held responsible for the violations, he affirmed.

“It has always been the aim of the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division to enlighten the traders and owners on the importance of following up and checking their trade licences and deal with only reliable offices to finalise their transactions. They need to get bills issued showing the type of transactions carried out,” he said. Checking trade licences is not confined to just getting them issued, he said.

“Rather, the trader needs to do a periodic review of the licence so as to ensure that workers adhere to the laws and conditions on practising the economic activity in the emirate of Dubai. Unfortunately, some investors ignore that part, and are left stunned when they discover serious violations on the trade licence.”

Al Tanak appealed to traders to check their trade licences from time to time to avoid violations or illegal procedures regarding their establishments. -salah@khaleejtimes.com

Khaleej Times runs the ‘Consumer Forum’ series in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development in Dubai. Readers can email their complaints and suggestions to news@khaleejtimes.com with the subject line ‘Consumer Forum’ or raise them directly with the DED on phone number 600 545 555

 

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