Dubai Economy received almost 800 customer grievances on price hikes

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in Dubai received as many as 784 reports relating to profiteering after consumers lodged complains sharing grievances on price hikes.

These complaints were registered within two weeks of Dubai Economy launching its new portal – Price.ded.ae – where consumers were encouraged to report price increases.

The price checker sets a minimum and maximum price for products. Businesses disregarding the rules are liable to face hefty fines or even closure.

Consumers can submit complaints related to price hikes through the Dubai Consumer app available on the Apple, Google, and Huawei stores, the https://t.co/60qftiMLt9 website, or by calling 600 54 5555.

— اقتصادية دبي (@Dubai_DED) April 15, 2020

“We are keen to provide different channels that consumers of all ages and segments can use to protect their rights,” said Ahmed Al Zaabi, director of the Consumer Protection at Dubai Economy.

“The CCCP team verifies the accuracy of such complaints by looking at all available evidence and comparing existing bills with previous ones. The team may also resort to field and electronic inspection of the merchant’s price list and other methods,” he noted.

Of the complaints, 71 per cent related to price hikes were received through the portal during the last two weeks while 29 per cent came through the Dubai Consumer app.

 

Al Zaabi added: “We commend consumers for alerting us on malpractices, thereby helping us to protect them in these exceptional circumstances, which require concerted efforts to ensure stability in the market.”

— اقتصادية دبي (@Dubai_DED) April 15, 2020

On April 15, Dubai Economy revealed a price monitor list of essentials with minimum and maximum price.

15 April 2020

Here’s your daily Price Monitor list of essentials with the minimum and maximum price from Dubai Economy.

For complaints on price increase in Dubai,
please visit https://t.co/60qftj4mRJ

To download the monitor visit https://t.co/wSOnqdfAgo pic.twitter.com/nidEwjdkPD

— اقتصادية دبي (@Dubai_DED) April 15, 2020

Earlier this week, Dubai Economy confirmed that five pharmacies in Al Quoz 1, Al Mizhar, Al Warqa 1 and Al Sabkha as well as a supply company, a supermarket and a trading company have been fined for “taking advantage of the present circumstances by inflating the prices of face masks”.

A factory that sold goods at inflated prices through e-commerce platforms was also fined, it said.

Read: Certain food stores allowed to operate in Dubai, outlets fined for inflating face mask prices