Shop smart to avoid spending unnecessarily: CPA

MUSCAT: With consumers increasingly exposed to advertisements across traditional and digital platforms, attractive discounts and promotional offers have become a major influence on purchasing decisions. While many advertisements provide useful information about products and services, some may contain misleading claims or fail to present the actual conditions of an offer, making consumer awareness essential to avoid unnecessary spending.
Consumers are often encouraged to make quick purchasing decisions through phrases such as 'limited-time offer', 'massive discount' and 'unbeatable price'. Such promotions can create the impression that customers are saving money, although the advertised price may not always represent a genuine reduction from the original price.
Dr Muneera al Fikri, Media Specialist at the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), said consumers should exercise greater caution when responding to advertisements and verify the claims before making a purchase. 'Most of us are encouraged to buy through advertisements because we believe we are saving money or protecting our budget. However, we need to be aware that some advertisements can be misleading and may not reflect the actual facts,” she said.
According to Dr Muneera, one of the simplest ways to determine whether a discount is genuine is to check the product’s price before and after the promotion.

“To make sure whether an advertisement is misleading or genuine, consumers should check the price of the product in the store before and after the promotion. The prices should be clearly displayed so that consumers can verify whether the advertised discount is genuine,” she said.
Price comparison is another important step. Consumers should not rely solely on the percentage of discount displayed in an advertisement. Comparing the advertised price with prices offered by other stores can provide a clearer indication of whether the promotion actually offers a financial benefit.
Al Fikri stressed the importance of comparing prices before making a purchase, saying consumers should “make sure that the advertised price is lower than the price of the same product at another store to determine whether the promotion is genuine or simply an attractive but misleading advertisement.” She also pointed out that discounts and promotional campaigns are subject to specific conditions and procedures.
“Discounts and promotional offers have certain conditions, and they are approved by the relevant authorities through established procedures,” she said, highlighting the importance of checking the details of promotional campaigns rather than relying solely on advertising messages.
Consumer awareness, however, should extend beyond price. The quality, safety and validity of the product are equally important, particularly when purchasing food, cosmetics, household products or other goods with expiry dates.
Al Fikri urged consumers to verify the quality of advertised products and ensure that they are safe for use and have not expired.
The growing use of social media and digital platforms has made the issue even more relevant.
Promotional content can reach thousands of consumers within a short period, while the urgency created by online campaigns may encourage people to purchase without sufficient verification.