Consumer fines and recoveries netted the Directorate General of Consumer Protection (North Al Batinah) revenues totalling RO 140K in the first half of this year, the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) said in a statement.
Of this total, fines and penalties amounted to RO 7,178 while refunds accruing to aggrieved consumers totalled around RO 133K, the Authority said.
Significantly, automotive agencies and the services sector accounted for roughly half (RO 64K) of the total refunds and recoveries.
The lowest share (RO 180) was that of restaurants and cafes during this period.
In all, the Directorate General received 768 complaints and 174 reports distributed across a number of sectors falling within the remit of the Authority.
A total of around RO 25,685 was recovered from manpower services firm, followed by contracting and building materials sector (RO 9,630), aluminium workshops, blacksmithing and carpentry sector (RO 9,041), vehicle spare parts sector (RO 4,731), and furniture and furnishings (RO 4,433). Recoveries from vehicle repair shops amounted to RO 4,386, while the electrical and electronic appliances sector coughed up around RO 3918.
Other sectors found in breach of consumer guidelines included goods and services (RO 2,281), travel and tourism services (RO 1,246), Clothing, textiles and services (RO 1,181), kitchen utensils (RO 1,000), mobile phones and services (RO 768.7), watches, jewellery and accessories (RO 431), and tyre services (RO 400). Hairdressing services contributed around RO 353.)
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