Doha: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has issued a new decision regulating sale of gold and jewellery, other precious metals, stones and similar items.
Based on a study conducted by the ministry on the competitiveness of the gold and jewellery market and international practices and after consulting local traders, the ministry has taken a number of steps to improve the efficiency of the market and protect the rights of consumers, the ministry said yesterday.
The decision is part of a series of initiatives unveiled by the ministry to mark the holy month of Ramadan under the theme “#Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb,” the Arabic for “#the_least_we_can _do.”
The ministry has issued a circular (No 4 of 2016) asking all gold and jewellery shops to provide specifications about every item on an electronic screen visible to customers.
All specifications should be clearly explained to the customers including the carat, quality, level of purity, quantity, value and making charge to make them fully aware about the items they buy.
The consumer must receive invoice with full details including date, invoice number, names of the shop and buyer, means of payment, number of items, specifications, trademark, number of pieces, weight, carat, colour, making charge, total amount paid and seal and signature of the seller.
The shops must provide warranty for all items and it should be given in a written form, not verbally. All terms and conditions of the warranty should be clearly specified, including the date of purchase, duration, type and quality and serial number of the items. The nature of the warranty must also be specified, whether it is replacement or maintenance and what are the items included. The consumer must comply with the warranty terms and conditions.
The shops must inform the customers before the purchase their policy regarding replacement and return, if deficiencies are found in the items sold.
This should include the duration and the nature of defects.
The ministry has given the shops three months time to adjust their status, starting from June 19.
They must give a report to the authorities concerned at the ministry about the improvement they have made. After the three months period, the ministry will start monitoring the shops, said a statement.
The Peninsula
