DED urges consumers to rationalise spending

The Dubai Economic Development Department’s Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection division extends greetings and congratulations to consumers on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. We pray to Allah Almighty to help us succeed in serving you and our dear country, the UAE.

The holy month of Ramadan, which saw consumers flocking retail stores, has come to an end and therefore the purchasing trend will change.

Complaints& Responses Common swimming pool:A woman lodged a complaint against a gymnasium stating that she had subscribed to a club in the gymnasium after a staff member there informed her that there is a swimming pool for ladies. She paid the subscription fees in full. However, when she went to the swimming pool the next day, she found that the pool was being used both by men and women. She protested and asked the club to return her the money, but they didn’t. The consumer complaints section called the manager of the club, after which it was agreed that the Dh2,099 subscription fees would be returned to the complainant. The club was warned to explain to customers its policy before signing them up. European phone networks only:A consumer filed a complaint against a well-known website through which he bought a Samsung mobile phone and paid its price before receiving it. When he received the phone, he discovered that it didn’t work on the UAE networks, as it was designed for use in European countries only. He tried to recover the amount, but his request was refused. The section contacted the website, and it was agreed that the Dh2,111 the customer paid would be refunded. Inability to complete sessions:A woman lodged a complaint against a cosmetic clinic, where she paid Dh16,000 for treatment sessions. She attended only one session, and said she could not continue the rest of the sessions as she had moved to live in another emirate. She asked for a refund, which the clinic refused. The department contacted the clinic which agreed to return the amount to the complainant within 15 days after deducting the charge of one session. (Compiled by Salah Al Deberky)

The consumer must be capable of rationalising his consumption, protect himself, and update his information and behaviour in purchase. There are two other things which the consumer must be aware of: Handling the products and the services in the environment he is living in, and practice his rights continuously in a way that enables him to make the right choices.

On our part, we will adopt the best practices to protect the consumer and safeguard his economic rights by establishing the required institutions and departments, enact laws and legislations, and encourage civil society associations to safeguard the consumer.

We will also work on activating the role of the private sector in realising their social responsibility by supporting many projects which are designed to render services to the consumer.

One other primary duty of the division is to raise awareness among consumers on spending. We do this by interacting with the consumer and communicating with them about the same for he/she is the last entity concerned in the economic process.

Since we are in an open market, it is necessary to take interest in the consumer, enlighten him/her and help him/her in selecting the best possible products and services.

(As told by Omar Bushehab, Executive Director for Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection division)

Boosting stability and controlling monopoly

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division of the Dubai Economic Development Department (DED) works within a strategic plan to achieve a specific and indispensable function in implementing any economic or service programme. Its goal is to develop the faculty and create positive trends to realise the effective performance for the economic system for the welfare of the consumers.

Therefore and out of the keenness and concern of the division, coordination was made with the communication service to note down the contact number of some employees so they can be contacted in resolving the urgent problems of consumers, be they tourists or residents.

“The field commercial control is one of the most important divisions which cannot be left functionless since it takes care of the interest of traders by controlling unacceptable practices such as monopoly, tampering with prices and trade fraud to earn huge profits at the expense of the consumer, especially during festivities and events,” said Ahmed Al Awadhi, Head of the Field Control Section, DED.

Abdul Aziz Al Hathboor, Director of Consumer Protection Section at DED called on consumers to keep in touch with the channels for complaints and counselling through e-mail, twitter, electronic website, smart app (Sallety), direct complaints and outskirt centres of the division.

The move is aimed at protect the economic interests of the consumer, boosting the stability of the market and enlightening consumers, he said. He added that the resolutions include spreading awareness on the spending culture and rights of the consumer and how to demand them, in addition to working on achieving the principle of competition, combating monopoly and keeping an eye on price movements.

Khaleej Timesruns the ‘Consumer Forum’ series in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development in Dubai. Readers can email their complaints and suggestions tonews@khaleejtimes.comwith the subject line ‘Consumer Forum’ or raise them directly with the DED on phone number600 545 555