Muscat: It is very easy to buy items online but receiving them on time is always a big problem as some retailers do not fulfill their promises of a free and swift delivery.
Many consumers feel that the retailers leave them to fend for themselves once the deal is concluded.
“I bought some construction items from one of the stores in Muscat and the salespeople promised to deliver them within a week. I thought the week was a long time but I just agreed. That week turned out to be three weeks following repeated phone calls. I just don't understand why these salespeople always can’t tell the truth,” said an exasperated Fatmah al Naamani, a consumer from Al Amerat who underwent a bad experience.
The stress of consumers getting their items delivered is not only limited to big items but also the ones, that are readily available in the shops like washing machines, water coolers, and refrigerators among others.
“I bought an outdoor water cooler a few days ago and the salesman at the hypermarket promised to deliver the item the next day. When I called, on the day of delivery, they said it would be delivered after two days. When I inquired about his promise, he had nothing to explain," says Jamal from Al Seeb.
Retailers say they should not be blamed because some items come from far away stores and sometimes from neighboring counties.
“Some of our items come from Dubai and other faraway stores and there is no way they can be delivered in a few days. Sometimes customers insist on quick delivery but our suppliers also need time to supply,” said a customer care staff at one of the shopping centers.
But not all dealers are bad as there are some who are professional.
“I bought some furniture items from one of the furnishing outlets and two days before the delivery, I got a call to confirm that I would get my items on the same day and time. Indeed they came at the same time they had promised,” Abdullah al Nuumani, a resident from Al Ansab, said.
According to the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), affected buyers can approach them with their grievances.
“CPA is accessible and consumers can reach us through our hotline and we will sort the matter out with the concerned retailers,” assured a CPA official.
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