Consumer protection in focus as MoCI highlights key rights

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) is prioritizing consumer protection and combating commercial fraud in Qatar. Consumer advocates are urged to actively monitor prices, compare offers, and obtain written details regarding maintenance or repair services before committing to any agreements.

Abdullah Ali Saeed Salma, the Head of the Commercial Fraud Control Section at MoCI, recently discussed consumer rights and responsibilities with Qatar TV. He emphasized that heightened consumer awareness serves as a crucial defense against commercial manipulation and exploitation. Salma recommended that consumers determine their needs, compare displayed prices with the amount charged at checkout, and firmly refuse to pay more than the advertised price.

The MoCI official stressed that consumers must know the prices of desired products before purchasing and must refuse to pay any amount exceeding the displayed price. He also highlighted that service providers must disclose maintenance services and associated costs to enable consumers to make informed decisions. Before any work is carried out, consumers must receive written information specifying the repair costs, tasks to be performed, and the expected completion date.

Salma explained that consumers have the right to request detailed price lists, encompassing individual part and service costs, rather than accepting broad quotations. The Ministry also enforces measures against establishments violating consumer protection regulations, imposing financial penalties ranging from QR3,000 to QR1m, along with potential criminal penalties, depending on the offense's nature.

Salma addressed the issue of multiple or unclear prices on the same product, emphasizing that placing two distinct prices on a single item constitutes a violation. The price displayed must be clear and legible to prevent consumer confusion. Consumers who encounter such violations may submit complaints through various channels, including the Ministry's hotline (16001), website, hotline, email, or in-person complaint submission at the Ministry.

The official encouraged consumers to leverage Qatar's competitive market by visiting multiple outlets and comparing prices before making purchases. Moreover, consumers should be aware of their needs before visiting a point of sale and make use of their freedom to compare products and prices across different outlets. Such practices, Salma noted, foster informed decision-making and help determine what constitutes a suitable price.

He stressed that enhanced cooperation between consumers and authorities can bolster market awareness and thwart practices that undermine consumer rights.