DOHA: A number of retail outlets that refused customers to exchange products sold were taken to task by inspectors from the Ministry of Business and Trade last month.
They were among several outlets caught and punished last month for not displaying retail prices of commodities and services as required by the law.
Inspectors from the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the ministry cracked down on outlets last month and singled out a large number of them for violating provisions of the consumer protection law.
Many erring companies from the service sector were caught and fined for not displaying their service charges.
Ninety-five violations of the consumer protection law were detected by CPD inspectors last month, Qatar News Agency reported yesterday.
A majority of the violations involved not displaying the prices of commodities and services by outlets and service providers.
Some 19 outlets were found not announcing the prices of commodities in Arabic, required by regulations.
At least 16 shops defied the law by not describing the ingredients of the products on sale properly or giving false descriptions of the ingredients to mislead consumers.
Eight products did not meet the specifications and standards as required by the law.
Six outlets refused to exchange sold products violating the provision of the legislation.
Some five outlets did not bother to take permission of CPD before announcing promotions of products.
Four outlets did not issue sale vouchers and three shops charged more money than what was announced.
Two outlets mixed up products offered for promotion with general products.
One shop did not maintain a record of the products. Another was found selling products after their expiry dates, while another did not prominently display the permission for the promotion issued by the CPD.
The CPD received 350 complaints from consumers last month and referred many to the concerned agencies and departments.
The Peninsula
