Over one million recovered by Oman's consumer watchdog in 2017

Muscat: The Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) recovered for consumers more than OMR1 million from seven provinces in 2017.
As part of its effort to resolve consumer complaints, the PACP recovered OMR1,047,085 from Al Seeb, A’Dakhiliyah, Dhofar, Al Buraimi, Sur, Northern A’Sharqiyah and Northern Al Batinah.
According to the annual statistics issued by the Department for Consumer Protection in Al Seeb, the area saw the largest financial returns, with the department receiving OMR205,026, based on 2,511 consumer complaints.
Total returns
Ziad bin Saleh Al Wahaibi, director of consumer protection department in Seeb, said: “Within the total returns, the department recovered OMR5,000 from the automobile sector, OMR32,182.5 from the manpower sector, followed by the communication sector with OMR24,402.9, and vehicle repair shops with OMR20,725.5.”
The report also showed that in Sur, the PACP retrieved OMR180,100.815 for consumers, while the department in Al Buraimi recovered more than OMR142,331 last year.
“During the same period, the department in Sur (Southern A’Sharqiyah) recovered four vehicles, 24 tyres, 24 spare parts, 19 electronic and electrical devices, and 20 mobile phones for consumers,” PACP added.
“The largest share of the total returns was concentrated in the manpower sector, which reached OMR79,057,” Salim bin Hilal Al Shamsi, Director of the Consumer Protection Department in Al Buraimi, said.
Consumers in Dhofar received a total of OMR109,501 from various sectors, including from travel agents, construction projects, and retail stores. No refunds, however, were made from barber shops and beauty salons.
A’Dakhiliyah and Northern Batinah brought in OMR149,576.925 and OMR152,526.810, respectively, with the automobile sector at the top of the list.
“OMR108,023 was recovered by the department of consumer protection in Northern A’Sharqiyah,” the PACP stated.
The annual management report further showed that the PACP recovered OMR108,023 for consumers in various sectors in Northern A’Sharqiyah. In addition to the money received, the PACP also recovered a number of goods, including 34 frames, 19 electrical and electronic devices, and six cars.