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Beware: Buying fake products is dangerous

Genuine products have gained the name and fame among the consumers worldwide. But for these trade brands, reaching the pinnacle of popularity is not as easy as one might think, but after enormous efforts by its owners, according to Mashhoor Al Shamsi, Senior Manager of Intellectual Property Issues and Trade Agencies. 
"Some consumers think the Department of Economic development- Dubai (DED) crackdowns are excessive, especially on duplicate products which are cheaper compared with the genuine ones. They don't know and are not aware of consequences the fake ones bear. It affects the society, it incurs huge loss to the real trade brand owner," he said.
"Had the owners of these products stick to rules and quality, these noted brands would not have reached that place," he said.

Website warned against bogus offers The inspectors at the online monitoring division of the Field Control Section have noticed frequent complaints being reported against an online trading website. Consumers complained that the offers on the advertisement were not being given when they proceeded with the purchase. "We have verified the issue and it was found that the promotions offered on the website were made without a permit, despite the fact that the website belonged to an establishment that holds a commercial licence in Dubai. Hassan Bonfour, senior director of the Field Control Section, summoned the owner of the establishment and asked him to remove all the advertisements and unlicensed promotional offers instantly and refund the consumers their money. Online traders are urged to conform to the same procedures and conditions that apply to the trading shops for offering promotions. Traders must arrange the necessary permits, and must stick to its terms, said Hassan Bonfour. Consumers should double-check the promotional offers and compare the prices of the products with other shops in order to get the best prices and should refrain from getting attracted by exaggerated or untrue offers.

Al Shamsi said: "If a trader imitates a genuine product, he would certainly turn a blind eye on many essential rules to make the product available at cheaper rates."
'When a customer buys duplicate product and when they identify it was different from the original one, they start distrusting the product and will refrain from buying it next time,' he added.
Buying fake items of personal care items and automobile spare parts will result in serious consequences if used.
"I wonder about the consumers who deliberately purchase sensitively duplicate products, which affects the health of his family and himself." 
"The market is flooded with products, and if you intentionally purchased the duplicate ones, they will have a negative impact on you, except a few, but certainly will affect the honest trader and the owners of the trade brands, who put enormous effort to produce the best for your interest and benefit," he said.
"You are free to choose, as we at DED have opted to combat the menace of fake goods to protect the rights of both the traders and the members of the society," he added.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
Don't delay returning consumers' deposit money, merchants told
A tourist approached the Consumer Complaints Section of the Dubai Economic Department (DED), claiming a car rental company refused to repay him the security deposit he had paid before renting a car.
The tourist had paid the deposit after he was told that he would be given back the amount within a specific period of time after the rental period got over. 
However, he did not get his money back at the end of the specified period. He said he tried to get in touch with the shop manager many times, but to no avail. He then approached the DED to resolve the issue.
Acting on the complaint, a duty officer at the Consumer Complaints Section verified the details of the complaint and documents that substantiated the complainant's claims. It became apparent that the owner of the car rental shop had failed to give the security deposit back to the consumer. 
The consumer also suffered due to the delay as he could not return to his home country as planned. The section contacted the shop and directed it to return the tourist's deposit money within a day. 
Ahmed Al Awadi, Director of the Consumer Protection Department, advised merchants to honour the consumers' rights on time. He warned them that strict action will be taken against them if they fail to do so. 
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

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