In an opinion poll conducted by "Emirates Today"

Consumers are advised to “alternatives” and to refrain from buying goods that are exaggerated in their prices

  • The consumer is the weakest link amid inflation and rising commodity prices.

    Photography: Ahmed Ardeti

  • Ibrahim Al-Bahr: “The rise in prices is global, but there is an exaggeration on the part of some traders in raising the price in an unacceptable manner.”

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He advised consumers not to buy goods whose prices are unjustifiably high, and to inform merchants not to buy, while informing the supervisory authorities about sales outlets that raise prices in an exaggerated manner immediately, to take the necessary measures.

And they saw in responses to an opinion poll conducted by "Emirates Today", on its page on the social networking site "Twitter", that not buying goods whose prices are high and unjustified, and resorting to alternatives, forcing traders to sell at reduced prices to dispose of goods, especially food commodities. With limited validity periods.

And «Emirates Today» asked a question that reads: “What is the best behavior by consumers towards overpriced goods: to buy or not to buy or to inform the regulatory authorities?”

The result of the vote came in favor of “not buying” by 61%, “informing the regulatory authorities” by 37%, and “purchasing” by 2%.

alternative goods

Consumers stressed the need to replace goods whose prices have risen significantly, with alternative and lower prices, and “not to buy” if they were not necessary, while comparing prices between different sales outlets before buying, by searching electronically for prices, especially since sales outlets have applications And electronic platforms and a free delivery service, stressing the importance of consumers to act wisely and consciously before purchasing any commodity.

price hikes

Consumers presented examples of exaggerated price increases during the recent period, whether in sales outlets, restaurants or service centers, as a consumer said that the price of some commodities increased by up to 50%, while another consumer said that the price of a chicken liver dish in a restaurant rose from eight dirhams to 18 dirhams currently, an increase of 125%.

Another consumer stated that the price of a container of condensed milk increased by half a dirham per pack (used for 10 cups of tea), but a cafeteria raised the price of one cup by half a dirham, despite the fact that the price increase per cup is estimated at only five fils.

Another consumer pointed out to a hospital selling a bottle of water for five dirhams, even though its price is one dirham in groceries, at a time when the sales official attributed the increase to the increase in the price of oil!

In their response to the survey, other consumers stated that some people find it easy to buy even if the prices of some goods are exaggerated as long as they own the price of the commodity, which encourages some merchants to continue raising prices, which requires strict control by consumer protection agencies and local economic departments, to follow up market and adjust it on a daily basis.

Not to buy

For his part, the retail expert and head of Al-Bahr Consulting Company, Ibrahim Al-Bahr, said that not buying goods whose prices are exaggerated, and resorting to cheaper alternatives, is the best way for the consumer in the current period, noting that the consumer is the weakest link amid inflation and high prices. goods.

He stressed that not buying commodities that are exaggerated in their prices, forcing traders in the medium and long term to reduce their price or offer discount offers on them, so as not to be damaged, especially food commodities that have a limited validity period, which are mostly in the UAE between six and 12 months Pointing out that the validity of food commodities that extend for long periods are few in the UAE market, due to the extreme weather.

Al-Bahar explained that the rise in prices is global, at a time when the rise in freight prices plays a major role, but there is an exaggeration on the part of some merchants and companies to take advantage of this to raise the price significantly and unacceptable.

Al-Bahr stressed the importance of buying cheaper alternatives of goods, with the need to tighten control by the concerned supervisory bodies.

decisive action

In turn, the retail expert, Davey Nagpal, said that the regulatory authorities concerned with the market should invest this time to build and support confidence with consumers, pointing out that consumer complaints play a major role in detecting violations and abuses in the markets.

He stressed the need to take decisive measures against violators, to deter them and control the market, and not to burden consumers with new burdens through more unjustified rises.

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