Consumer society raises red flag over shady shop practices

AMMAN — The Consumer Protection Society said on Thursday that it has received several complaints from consumers regarding the manipulation of commodity prices and poor regulation of shops in various governorates across the Kingdom.

The complaints were mainly centred on misleading of shoppers by failing to declare real prices, manipulating the prices of goods and getting rid of items nearing their expiry dates through offers and large sales, as well as commodities containing carcinogenic and dangerous substances, Society President Mohammad Obeidat told The Jordan Times on Thursday.

"Unfortunately these practices are not occuring in specific areas but in all regions of the Kingdom,” Obeidat said, adding that “there were even complaints about the manipulation of the weights of goods such as sugary cereals, toffee, chips and all the things that entice little children, leading to fraud, deception and pulling the wool over consumers' eyes".

The Ministry of Trade and Supply welcomes complaints, suggestions and inquiries, providing various means for people to contact it, including a 24-hour complaints hotline, mobile application, e-government platform and e-mail, Director of Market Surveillance and Protection Ali Talafha told The Jordan Times on Thursday.

Talafha, who is also the director of the Consumer Protection Department at the ministry, noted that the shoppers’ complaints are immediately transferred to observers, who sometimes remain at the shops until 10pm to gather evidence to address the situation and verify the commitment of market suppliers.

"The ministry has carried out a lot of awareness campaigns concerning consumers’ limits and suppliers’ duties, and the results were positive," Talafha said.