MUSCAT: Have you ever been pestered by shopkeepers by interrupting you to buy their products they sell while visiting a shopping mall or a commercial centre in Oman ? The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has issued a circular following several complaints against shopkeepers who follow and force consumers to buy products.

In a circular issued on Monday, His Excellency Salim bin Ali bin Salim Al Hikmani, CPA issued a regulation to suppliers the process of marketing goods and services to consumers in malls and commercial centers, based on Article 14 of the Consumer Protection Law issued by Royal Decree 66/2014 AD.

According to CPA, the consumers have the right to “freely choose” while selecting any commodity or receiving service. “What we have observed in malls and commercial centers is that many licensed sellers (shops) promoted goods to consumers in an undesirable and annoying manner by calling or following them to try the goods they sell or to learn about the services they provide which is against the consumer rights,” CPA said.

“Accordingly, the authority advises all suppliers not to carry out such practices which is against the violation of the above-mentioned law, and holds the perpetrators accountable,” the circular stated.

CPA also urged consumers to cooperate and report the perpetrators of these practices through the authority’s various communication channels.

Based on Article 14 of the Consumer Protection Law issued by Royal Decree No. 66/2014 in Chapter Two stipulates consumer rights, which are:

Consumer rights are guaranteed under the provisions of this law, in particular the following:

1. The right to obtain correct information about the commodity that he purchases or uses, or the service he receives.
2. The right to freely choose when selecting any commodity or receiving any service.
3. The right to guarantee the quality of goods and services and to obtain them at the declared price.
4. The right to everything that guarantees his health and safety when he purchase any commodity or receives any service, and not to harm him when he uses the normal commodity or service.
5. The right to demand fair compensation for the damage incurred to him and his money as a result of buying or using the merchandise or receiving the service.
6. The right to represent his interests when preparing policies for consumer protection.
7. The right to respect the religious values, customs and traditions of the consumer when providing him with any commodity or receiving any service.