Muscat – The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) carried out 35,825 field visits to shops and commercial centres in the month of October and registered 2,237 complaints during those inspections in the sultanate. 

CPA, represented by the Directorate General of Consumer Services and Market Control in Oman, during its inspection campaigns across the country handled and resolved 102 complaints, while registering 870 violations and recovering RO241,340 against them for the benefit of consumers.

CPA in Muscat last Tuesday steered an amicable settlement between a car agency and two consumers, following which the customers were returned over RO11,000. The authority had received a complaint from those consumers against an agency reporting technical malfunctions in their newly-bought cars. 

When they approached the agency, it started procrastinating. The customers were left with no option but to file a complaint with CPA, authority reported.

As per its established procedures, CPA summoned the relevant agency officials to discuss the complaint. 

The agency officials agreed to take back the vehicles and return to the two consumers RO11,600. 

CPA emphasises the importance of suppliers adhering to applicable consumer protection laws. It urges suppliers to fulfill their requirements and obligations, thereby safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring their well-being and safety while providing goods or services by thorough inspections of vehicles to avoid any defects after purchase. 

CPA called on everyone to cooperate to create a safe market reassuring and satisfying for the consumer. 

The authority and its departments in various governorates are relentlessly working to fulfill its mission to preserve the rights of Oman’s consumers as the law in this regard demands, it said.