DED sees 59% rise in consumer complaints

31/01/2016 05:03 AST

Consumer complaints received at the Department of Economic Development in Dubai increased to 21,896 in 2015, an increase of 59 per cent from the 13,770 complaints received in 2014, as varied campaigns initiated by the DED helped improve consumer awareness.

The rise also reflect the improved ease in submitting consumer complaints to the DED through different channels.

As Dubai is acknowledged as a flourishing hub for varied services, the largest share of complaints received last year - 44 per cent - also came from the service sector. Electronics (23 per cent), automobiles (13 per cent), textile and accessories (nine per cent) and furniture (three per cent) were the individual sectors that followed in the number of complaints, while eight per cent of the complaints came from other sectors.

"Persistent efforts by the Department of Economic Development to improve consumer awareness have brought encouraging results in recent years. Last year also we took our efforts to a new level, forging strategic partnerships with the private sector and delivering our consumer rights messages to the general public across different platforms," said Mohammed Rashed Ali Lootah, Executive Director of the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection sector at the DED.

Lootah added that consumers raising their concerns with the authorities concerned helps efforts to enhance retail sector competitiveness and overall ease of doing business in Dubai. "Ultimately, it works to the advantage of consumers and traders - it creates a harmonious environment of mutual respect in the retail sector, and strengthens Dubai's attractiveness as a shopping destination."

Violation of purchase agreement accounted for 33 per cent of the complaints received in 2015 while 14 per cent of the complaints were related to refunds and 13 per cent involving defective products. Disputes related to counterfeits, violation of warranty terms and exchanges took five per cent each of the total complaints while three per cent were about fees charged and two per cent about non-adherence to displayed prices.

There was also various other complaints that together accounted for 19 per cent.

Khaleej Times