(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Almost 40 per cent more customer complaints were received by Dubai's Department of Economic Development in the first six months of the year, compared with the same period last year.
The DED saw consumer complaints rising to 5,438 during the first half of this year - a 38 per cent increase over the 3,936 complaints received during the first six months of 2012. Between the first two quarters of 2013, consumer complaints rose 27 per cent from 2,390 to 3,046, indicating an improved awareness on consumer rights and consumer protection systems among the public and retailers, the DED said in a Press statement.
The increased complaints came in the services and electronics sectors, the complaints which grew by about a quarter each, while the furniture sector saw the least amount of change in number of complaints.
The highest share of complaints, at 1,837, related to disagreements between the retailer and consumer on sale terms and conditions, while there were 1,161 complaints of damage and 375 regarding fraudulent practices. Other complaints were chiefly about fees and exchange problems.
DED Consumer Protection director Abdul Aziz bin Hathboor said consumer awareness in Dubai was "definitely on the rise".
"The workshops and campaigns being regularly conducted by the Department of Economic Development have contributed substantially to encouraging consumers to raise issues and seek solutions."
Bin Hathboor added that DED had also opened more channels for consumers to speak up. "The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection sector reaches out to consumers across all available platforms including social media. Recently we have also launched Sallety.ae, a web and App interface where consumers can search for products and compare prices in real time and also make online complaints."
Consumers can also log their complaints on www.consumerrights.ae, call Ahlan Dubai on 600 54 5555 or reach CCCP on the Twitter handle @dubai_consumers.
He said the DED tried to resolve complaints within four days.
DED Director of Development and Follow-up Omar Al Mehairi said consumer feedback during the second quarter of the year showed 88 per cent were satisfied with their retail experience, with 85 per cent in the first quarter.
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