Consumer affairs chiefs reimbursed half a million rials to Muscat residents

Muscat: More than half a million rials had been reimbursed in Muscat Governorate alone by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) in 2016.

Last year the PACP were able to reimburse OMR 593,198 to consumers following complaints including 21 vehicles which were exchanged and 337 items returned.

Walid Ali Al Rawahi, Head of the Complaints Department at PACP, said they received 3071 complaints in Muscat last year including 153 electrical and electronic items. He added that the 21 vehicles that were exchanged had faults.

“Most of the complaints we get is focused on car dealerships and service centers, electrical and electronic items, complaints against contractors, kitchens and aluminum workshops,” said Al Rawahi.

“We also get complaints against airlines service offices and travel agencies as well as manpower recruitment offices. In the upside, commercial establishments are very responsive when they are summoned following a complaint and work towards a mutual solution with the consumer,” added Al Rawahi.

He added that it is necessary for service providers and commercial establishments to follow the consumer protection law to prevent falling into trouble and penalized according to the law.