Monday 18 November 2024
A furniture designing company in Dhofar Governorate was recently found guilty by the Salalah Court of First Instance for failing to provide the service properly and of not fulfilling the agreement it had signed with the consumer.
The case in brief: The Directorate General of Consumer Protection Authority (DGCPA) in Dhofar Governorate received a complaint from a consumer against a furniture designing company that she had contracted with to make two sets of chairs valued OMR 1,000.
She made an advance payment of OMR 300. A 45-day delivery deadline was agreed upon by both parties. Nevertheless, the company repeatedly postponed furniture delivery, in violation of their agreement. Additionally, they declined to reimburse the consumer for the money she had paid.
In light of this, she filed the complaint with DGCPA, which promptly started the procedures. The complaint file was sent to the judicial authorities because the company had violated Articles 23 and 19 of the Consumer Protection Law. The court found the representative guilty of the misdemeanor of failing to provide the consumer with services in a manner consistent with its nature. The company representative was sentenced to one year in prison and fined OMR 2000, with the decision to permanently deport him from the country.
Additionally, the court fined the corporation OMR 500 for the misdemeanor of non-compliance by its representative with providing the service within a timeframe or to refund the consumer OMR 300.
The Consumer Protection Authority urges all suppliers and retailers to follow the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law, its executive rules, and its rulings.